Bouwmeester wants Big Money!
July 11th, 2008 by FrankWhile the saga of whether Jay stays or goes continues, reports are now indicating that he is looking for Dion Phanuef type money and contract. Hmm… 6.5 million per year. I am not sure that the Florida Panthers are going to step up and pay that kind of money number one, but the real question is, is Jay worth it?
While these negotiations have been going on for quite some time now, one wonders what kind of money the Panthers have been offering, and what are the terms/lengths of the deals that have been discussed. Recently the Panthers have shown that of the youngsters they want to keep, they seem to like the 6 year contract length. Players such as Nathan Horton, Stevie Weiss, Bryan Allen have all signed deals like these. Again, with Jay going to arbitration for the second time during his career with Florida, you wonder what is the hold up.
A mentioned in my previous blog, no one here really knows anything for sure other than the rumours that we read. If a players wants to stay and they have been talking long term deals you would think that this one is about money. But is money the only thing that separates the two sides? Is it about winning, is it about trusting that the team is going in the right direction, which if you ask me sometimes I think the Panthers are going in the same direction my spirograph used to go. Is it about, I do want to stay but I don’t want to stay if we aren’t going to acquire better players, etc. etc. Jay’s hearing has been set for July 29th and the Panthers will have until then to work out a long term deal. Otherwise if he takes the arbitration offer whatever it may be, it will be for one year only, and then more negotiations will continue, and then the trade rumours will start.
My two cents on this whole thing is, and let’s forget about it being Jay Bouwmeester, if this is your star defenseman, your most prized asset, your future star, then why the heck haven’t you signed him to a long term deal already??? If the Panthers are waiting to see what he is awarded in arbitration, they may be playing a very risky game. Risky in the fact that he may not want to stay long term, will not sign by the trade deadline and will be traded for spare parts and a case of Molson. Uncle Jack has said, we are not trading Jay. Well ok, then, why can’t you sign him?
Now, and here is where I am going to potentially hear it form some readers, I personally don’t think that Jay deserves Dion Phanuef type money. I don’t think he is worth 6.5 million a year. They play 2 very different styles, and while I will never expect Jay to deliver a bone crushing hit that can change the momentum of a game, I also don’t see him as being able to take the puck up ice and blast a slap shot past any goaltender with any regularity. He’s just not that type of player. Dion can take you to the edge of your seat, he can make you jump up and cheer, and you expect that from him every night, and he delivers. Jay on the other hand is just different, and he has never made me feel as though he can change the outcome of a game.
That being said, my feeling is that a contract for 3 years at $4.5 million per year is what he should get. He plays for a bad team that struggles offensively and is going to struggle some more, and I believe he still has to go through the maturation process a bit. At that rate and length, he can see if the Panthers really do improve and start winning, he can grow and mature and sign an extension at any time during the deal, or if he ultimately is not happy with the outcome test free agency. He will be 27 then at the prime of his career, maybe his value will be worth more.
Or Uncle Jack will talk out of the other side of his mouth and trade Jay for those spare parts I was talking about. Oh, and don’t foget the case of Molson!!!!
News and notes: Anthony Stewart excepts a qualifying offer. This is it for him. He either proves he’s worthy to play in the NHL, or he will forever be an AHL player. Although you really can’t prove your skills when you’re on the 4th line every time you’re called up and play 4:43 per night!
Duane Sutter has left the Panthers as Director of Player Devleopment to take the same position for the Calgary Flames. Good luck Duane, we wish you the best.
Thanks for reading.
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4 Responses to “Bouwmeester wants Big Money!”
By David Johnson on Jul 11, 2008
When the Panthers traded Jokinen for a pair of defensemen I figured Bouwmeester’s days in Florida might be numbered and they might try to flip Bouwmeester for a top tier forward or two. They are fairly deep on defense without Bouwmeester:
Allen
Ballard
Boynton
Montador
Murphy
Skraskins
Van Ryn
That is 7 defensemen right there with Noah Welch backing them up. They could desperately use some offense though without Jokinen.
By The Iceman on Jul 14, 2008
Agreed. If Jay is not traded for offense they will be losing alot of games 2-1 and
3-1. There is going to be too much pressure on the youngsters to provide offense.
It could be a long season.
By Gerald Norton on Jul 14, 2008
Ideally “The Count” would like to have his Vermy back. I’d happilly give up Vermy, Mesz, and a 1st rounder for JBo, even at 6.5M/6yr. That isa bit rich now, but in 2 years, it will be good to great.
By The Iceman on Jul 15, 2008
Agreed. I would have taken this deal already if the rumour is true. When it takes so long to sing your “best” player, something isn’t right.
Make the deal and move on.