Advice for Eric Belanger: Get a new agent!
by Kevin van Steendelaar on Sep 15, 2010 11:55 PM EDT
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PrintMany thought that Eric Belanger might fit into the Montreal Canadiens roster, if the price was right.
It didn't happen and the faceoff specialist went to the Phoenix Coyotes on a one-year, $750K deal.
Both Belanger and his agent claim the Washington Capitals balked on a "verbal deal" for $1 million more, causing them to hold off on negotiating with other teams.
Was there a deal? The Caps say no. More to the story here.
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It’s a tough call, and a harder argument, and one that should not involve Belanger being francophone considering his fourth line role.
What this whole unfolding tells most, is that players not of the elite variety get cheaper as the summer days pass.
Imagine a contrary scenario, one in which the Canadiens go frothing from the mouth to sign Belanger in early July to a $1.5M deal, only to watch a division rival jump on Halpern, at $600K, right about now.
What’s really scary in that hypothetical scenario, is that not a soul in Montreal would complain.
The wait-out, and the Halpern signing, are shrewd moves.
In Montreal, the truth doesn’t make a noise.
GM’s are getting smarter in one sense….There are now two distinct times for signing UFA’s..a) July 1..target your guy and throw the Brinks truck at them…b) wait and see what is left Sept.1 and hope to find a Jeff Halpern for 600K on a one year..
Eric should know verbal deals are as good as the paper they are on…
There’s a bunch of things to be retained from a story such as this.
For one, although Belanger’s agent has been burned, the longer lasting effect could be felt towards Caps GM McPhee, who is unlikely to ever be trusting in a similar scenario by any player for a good long while.
Another, is that players in those situations looking at one year deals, might come to appreciate a GM such as Gauthier, who did not hesitate prior to the free agency period, in informing players such as Metropolit, Bergeron and Mara that they would not be returning.
Having all summer to shop themselves is much more appreciated by a player, instead of being pigeonholed in the manner Belanger was.
Although any player who decides not to negotiate with Washington solely because of its GM is kind of stupid, I think.
by red army line on Oct 7, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
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