Just got signed after his team lost in the Frozen Four. He is expected to join the team for the last game. Since he was only signed to a one year deal, does that mean if he plays in the last game that he will burn that one year?
Last edited by 2 12 oz Drinks: 04-05-2012 at 11:11 PM.
Reason: Its Welsh, not Welsch my bad
John Buccigross @Buccigross
Welsh $832,500 for NHL & $70,000 on the AHL level, signing bonus of $92,500. He will join the Hurricanes for game vs Panthers Sat #mybad
"Jeremy is a natural center, but I envision him playing alongside Eric Staal next season once I predictably fail to even sign so much as Dustin Penner - let alone Zach Parise - in free agency. We like our group" - Jim Rutherford
Here's a link to his stats http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p...php?pid=115240 Pretty solid looking scorer, though he did go to Union college, wherever that is. Anyone know if the ECAC is a respectable conference?
Well, he's good enough to be the leading scorer on a team that made the frozen four...but not good enough to be drafted or signed to an NHL contract until he was 23.
It's not uncommon for college FAs to burn off a year of their contract by playing a few games (sometimes even just one game) at the end of a year...teams typically use that as an incentive to entice FAs to sign. It's curious in this situation because by what I've read he's playing out his entire contract in one game. But he's still an RFA so it doesn't really matter all that much.
To those that are knocking this signing, it's what virtually any team in our position was going to have to do in order to secure an NCAA free agent like this one. He was one of the bigger fish on the college UFA scene this year. The eye rolling from many regarding Matt Read getting a one way deal last season from the Flyers has subsided now. He also wasn't "good enough to be drafted", but has banged home 24 goals and 47 points this year.
The details of this deal are interesting, but it will be even more interesting to see what kind of SPC he signs this offseason and what we're going to have to pay him in order to keep him. He will more than likely get a one way deal for next season and beyond, as Carolina obviously likes him enough to hand him a $100,000 check for a single meaningless game in Florida and the right to talk to him about a contract, so it should be interesting to see how he slots into our system right away.
Welsh is your typical late blooming power forward. He does his best work in front of the net and has a physical element to his game. He was a winger earlier in his career but moved to the center ice position and was around 60% on draws this season for Union. He's 6-3 and 210 lbs. and quite strong and likely NHL ready. The reason for going undrafted is that in his draft eligible years, he was playing Junior B hockey and then playing in the OPJHL, Junior A. There aren't a ton of kids drafted out of that system and especially ones that don't really shine until the second time through. He really jumped onto the radar as a prospect last season with Union while displaying a pretty complete game and scoring at nearly a point per game clip. This season only served to further emphasize his talents in the goal scoring department as most I have heard have spoken to his ability to finish around the net and take a lot of punishment in the process. He's unlike any forward prospect that we have in the sense that he's going to be suited for some pretty tough net front hockey right away.
It's not uncommon for college FAs to burn off a year of their contract by playing a few games (sometimes even just one game) at the end of a year...teams typically use that as an incentive to entice FAs to sign. It's curious in this situation because by what I've read he's playing out his entire contract in one game. But he's still an RFA so it doesn't really matter all that much.
By completing his ELC, he's not going to be bound to any salary restrictions on his upcoming contract with Carolina. I would imagine the details of his "next contract", have already been worked out. I don't know the details, obviously, but I would imagine that his contract will be one way. This is basically a loop hole to get around having to play out a full ELC season. It wouldn't shock me to see Carolina attempt to sign him to a similar deal as Matt Read. 3 years $900k per season on a 1 way is what Read picked up, and it's looking like an extreme bargain.
Based off that contract, looks like he'll be spending next year in the Charlotte.
But yeah, when big names signings from colleges were being rattled off, this guy wasn't one of them. Still wish we could have grabbed Brown.
Eh, to some he was the most sought after NCAA UFA this year. Big, strong, solid skater, good hands, and the dude can hit. I'm absolutely thrilled with this signing, he could very easily be on our roster next season depending on what happens in free agency.
Eh, to some he was the most sought after NCAA UFA this year. Big, strong, solid skater, good hands, and the dude can hit. I'm absolutely thrilled with this signing, he could very easily be on our roster next season depending on what happens in free agency.
That's an difficult question to answer, though. I see 10 signed 1-way contracts and Tlusty as an RFA. And that's without:
or any potential UFA signing or draft pick. I know it's likely we will see some of those 1-way contracts moved, but there isn't a lot of space at the moment.
It appears Welsh would be waiver exempt for next season based on signing at age 24, so a 2-way contract for next year with a higher salary for the AHL and/or a minimum guarantee is possible.
or any potential UFA signing or draft pick. I know it's likely we will see some of those 1-way contracts moved, but there isn't a lot of space at the moment.
My guess is that Staal, Tlusty, LaRose, Skinner, Jokinen, Ruutu, Sutter, and two of Dwyer/Brent/Nodl are back next year..so 9 forward spots locked down. I could see Dwyer/Nodl/Brent sent somewhere as minor pieces if a trade happens. I think Stewart and Joslin are gone.
That leave a maximum of 3 spots and I am guessing JR tries to fill one via UFA/trade so that leave 2 spots for the list above. Samson will be gone, Osala will probably stay overseas, and I think Rask spends at least a year in the AHL. So potentially 2 spots for Welsh, Boychuk (if the Canes decide to keep him), Bowman, Dalpe, Dadanov, and Nash AND whoever they draft this year.
As you said, not a lot of space this year even in the most optimistic scenario. Next season though, a lot of guys are FAs: LaRose, Nodl, Brent, Dwyer, Stewart (if he is still here).
I'm not so willing to bet that both Stewart and Joslin are gone, though I can certainly see Joslin heading elsewhere after this season. Agreed on Dwyer/Nodl, one of them will likely be gone as well, but Brent is safe. Here's my bet on the lineup for next season:
I agree with DaveG, based on this season Brent is going nowhere. I think they are more likely to try Sutter as #2 C and Brent as #3 C than trade Brent.
I wonder what JR can get for pieces like Nodl or Dwyer or Joslin or Stewart. Nodl and Joslin are both under 26, so a buyout would be only 1/3 of their remaining salary instead of 2/3. I don't think that will happen with Nodl, but I could see it with Joslin.
They'd be throw-ins on deals, not the centerpieces IMO. I could see something similar to the Riley Nash deal where they're involved, something like SJ 2nd + D Jos for Nemisz or McRae
Yeah, I agree that Brent probably isn't going anywhere and I hesitated to put him in there.
Re: Stewart and Joslin, I just don't see what either of them offer. I guess I'm more "hoping" they are gone. Joslin is terrible on defense and that 4th line is awful right now. They can't hit, they can't get the puck out of the zone, etc.. Brent has other uses (PP, faceoffs, etc..). Last night, against the worst team in the east, with nothing left to play for, when the team dressed 7 defensemen, Joslin and Stewart still only got 5 min of TOI. I just don't think they are in Muller's long term plan.
I'd rather have Nodl on the 4th line than either of those guys personally. Unfortunately, unless they are throw-ins on another deal, I don't see JR getting anything for Joslin, Stewart, or Nodl. And not much more for Dwyer.
"Jeremy is a natural center, but I envision him playing alongside Eric Staal next season once I predictably fail to even sign so much as Dustin Penner - let alone Zach Parise - in free agency. We like our group" - Jim Rutherford
"Jim Rutherford, GM of the team is proud to announce the signing of Sergei Samsonov. He is a former Calder Mem. Trophy winner and multi year 15 goal scorer. "We are looking forward to slotting Sergei next to our elite center and captain, Eric Staal. He brings a ton of NHL experience and his creativity with his stick will help bring Staal to another level." Samsonov was awarded a 6 year, $28.5 million USD contract. "Samsonov is a young, up and coming winger. We wanted to go ahead and get him in the core group."
I just don't think they are in Muller's long term plan.
