I remember hearing rumors of Pronger for Marleau straight up when Pronger wanted out of Edmonton. Couldn't imagine Pronger in teal.
Anybody have a list of the most expensive UFAs the Sharks have signed?
Not a list, but I suspect the most expensive UFA with no previous Sharks connection that signed with the Sharks in franchise history was Rob Blake. But of course, he was past his prime when he signed with the Sharks.
__________________
2011: Outcoached by Vigneault. 2012: Outcoached all season and postseason by Hitch.
2013: Outcoached by most coaches in the NHL. Who's left? 12 year olds on Xbox Live? SACK T-MAC NOW
So we went from most expensive UFA to most expensive re-signings after being acquired, to just re-signings after being acquired?
I'm kinda curious about the actual question. It can't be old Blake at 5 mil, can it?
It's what happens when people don't want to accept that an elite UFA in his prime with no previous connection here has never signed with the Sharks in franchise history, and there is no reason to think it is about to start now. Hockey media experts don't even realize this fact, that's why they link many elite UFA's to us, when really they should only stick to linking elite trade candidates to us.
As to the actual question, what other UFA with no previous connection to the team got more than 5 mil/per in a contract with the Sharks? I really think Blake is the one to get the most per year in a contract as a UFA signing with the Sharks with no previous connection to the Sharks.
It's what happens when people don't want to accept that an elite UFA in his prime with no previous connection here has never signed with the Sharks in franchise history, and there is no reason to think it is about to start now. Hockey media experts don't even realize this fact, that's why they link many elite UFA's to us, when really they should only stick to linking elite trade candidates to us.
As to the actual question, what other UFA with no previous connection to the team got more than 5 mil/per in a contract with the Sharks? I really think Blake is the one to get the most per year in a contract as a UFA signing with the Sharks with no previous connection to the Sharks.
I know you are joking, but Suter's rights were traded to the Sharks on that draft day (forget what year, edit: 1998 draft day) and then he signed on July 1. I can't be the only person who remembers that (but I guess that makes me seem old lol).
Even if Gary Suter counts (which it doesn't IMHO), only elite UFA's with no previous connection have signed with the Sharks have been past their prime...Granato...Nicholls...Blake, etc.
I know you are joking, but Suter's rights were traded to the Sharks on that draft day (forget what year, edit: 1998 draft day) and then he signed on July 1. I can't be the only person who remembers that (but I guess that makes me seem old lol).
Even if Gary Suter counts (which it doesn't IMHO), only elite UFA's with no previous connection have signed with the Sharks have been past their prime...Granato...Nicholls...Blake, etc.
Kelly Hrudey.
Are we really listing free agent signings 14-15 years ago lol.
Are we really listing free agent signings 14-15 years ago lol.
Just to make a point. IMHO, since elite UFA's in their prime with no connection here have ever signed with the Sharks, there is no point in discussing. IMHO, it's like discussing whether the Sharks will play any games next season on the moon. But again, IMHO.
As to hockey media, when they discuss where elite UFA's in their prime with no prev Sharks connection will go, and they want to say they'll go the Sharks, they need to acknowledge that the Sharks landing such a player is extremely unlikely given the history (which hockey media never seems to know since they think since elite players who get traded here love it, that somehow means elite UFA's with no connection will want to be here too. Doesn't work that way, as Sharks franchise history has shown) and would be a first in franchise history. Without that, these articles saying Parise or Suter or whomever of that ilk is going to the Sharks (unless they played here before) has no credability whatsoever.
Just to make a point. IMHO, since elite UFA's in their prime with no connection here have ever signed with the Sharks, there is no point in discussing. IMHO, it's like discussing whether the Sharks will play any games next season on the moon. But again, IMHO.
As to hockey media, when they discuss where elite UFA's in their prime with no prev Sharks connection will go, and they want to say they'll go the Sharks, they need to acknowledge that the Sharks landing such a player is extremely unlikely given the history (which hockey media never seems to know since they think since elite players who get traded here love it, that somehow means elite UFA's with no connection will want to be here too. Doesn't work that way, as Sharks franchise history has shown) and would be a first in franchise history. Without that, these articles saying Parise or Suter or whomever of that ilk is going to the Sharks (unless they played here before) has no credability whatsoever.
Oh I know, its just sad we have to reach that far back
Burns may have been traded here, but he signed an extension before even playing a game for us. Things are not the same as in the past. We still may not sign any big time UFA's this season, but the decision will have little to do with our long time history. We are a different team with different owners. There just isn't much out there and many teams will be vying for their services, they may not want to come here and they may want a salary/term the Sharks shouldn't pay. That's if they don't re-sign with their current teams.
So have other players. I don't think that was the criteria being discussed, but if that's the case then the obvious answer would be Thornton.
Fine I was wrong about Selane. I forgot he was traded. Ok then Blake is the most high profile that I can remember. Was Rici an UFA? I believe there still might have been some buzz around him. At least high hopes
Last edited by WantonAbandon: 06-15-2012 at 02:02 AM.
This discussion is why I wouldnt mind if Suter or Parise rights are traded for (within reason). The Sharks have a pretty good history of signing players once they've gotten them on location (Burns for instance) and talked to them face to face. If you get a players rights you can generally fly them out and show them around before discussing a contract, often this is all that's needed.
This discussion is why I wouldnt mind if Suter or Parise rights are traded for (within reason). The Sharks have a pretty good history of signing players once they've gotten them on location (Burns for instance) and talked to them face to face. If you get a players rights you can generally fly them out and show them around before discussing a contract, often this is all that's needed.
I'm on board, but these days such trades for rights aren't just for a 7th rounder, right? Didn't the Yotes trade Bryz' rights to Philly for a 3rd? If so, that's a steep price.
San Jose Sharks acquire Date Chicago Blackhawks acquire
rights to Gary Suter
June 27, 1998 1998 9th round pick (#240-Andrei Yershov)
So Suter was not a UFA signed with no connection to the team. Technically he was re-signed. My point was about guys who were not traded for and then re-signed, or rights traded for and then signed (like G. Suter), but guys just simply signed with no previous Sharks connection as of July 1 of that UFA period.
So Suter was not a UFA signed with no connection to the team. Technically he was re-signed. My point was about guys who were not traded for and then re-signed, or rights traded for and then signed (like G. Suter), but guys just simply signed with no previous Sharks connection as of July 1 of that UFA period.
I agree that the the sharks should not be expected to sign a big name free agent on July 1st if they did not own that player's rights prior to then. However I don't believe that is because San Jose is not an attractive place to play. Burns' contract goes completely against that. When he signed his extension he had not played in San Jose yet he still had a desire to sign a long term contract to play for the sharks.
I believe the reason the sharks don't make these signings is because that is not how they do business. Whether it's DW's choice or the ownership's, there is appears to be a philosophy coming from with in the organization that big free agents signings on the 1st are not good decisions.
I agree that the the sharks should not be expected to sign a big name free agent on July 1st if they did not own that player's rights prior to then. However I don't believe that is because San Jose is not an attractive place to play. Burns' contract goes completely against that. When he signed his extension he had not played in San Jose yet he still had a desire to sign a long term contract to play for the sharks.
I believe the reason the sharks don't make these signings is because that is not how they do business. Whether it's DW's choice or the ownership's, there is appears to be a philosophy coming from with in the organization that big free agents signings on the 1st are not good decisions.
I disagree only because we know over franchise history about offers made to elite UFA's (With no connection here) and they many didn't seriously want to come here or if they did, had some lame reason for not coming here.
I just don't see how you can discount, over franchise history, the notion that players from the east see San Jose as "no man's land" and europeans see (rightfully) San Jose as very very far away from home. Not to mention that SJ has a horrendous travel schedule year in and year out. Edmonton especially suffers from this as well, so I am not suggesting SJ is the only team with such a problem.
As to Burns, that goes to the point that when people are brought into the fold, in whatever manner, they get sold on SJ for many reasons. They come here, meet with DW, see how awesome SJ/Bay really is. But when it's SJ vs. Chicago vs. Boston vs. Buffalo vs. Washington, with no previous connection here, we get lost in the mix, and I believe it's because of geography (mostly for family reasons, but also travel). No chance to even get sold on SJ when those other cities automatically have a better sell for players from the East or Europe.
I disagree only because we know over franchise history about offers made to elite UFA's (With no connection here) and they many didn't seriously want to come here or if they did, had some lame reason for not coming here.
I just don't see how you can discount, over franchise history, the notion that players from the east see San Jose as "no man's land" and europeans see (rightfully) San Jose as very very far away from home. Not to mention that SJ has a horrendous travel schedule year in and year out. Edmonton especially suffers from this as well, so I am not suggesting SJ is the only team with such a problem.
As to Burns, that goes to the point that when people are brought into the fold, in whatever manner, they get sold on SJ for many reasons. They come here, meet with DW, see how awesome SJ/Bay really is. But when it's SJ vs. Chicago vs. Boston vs. Buffalo vs. Washington, with no previous connection here, we get lost in the mix, and I believe it's because of geography (mostly for family reasons, but also travel). No chance to even get sold on SJ when those other cities automatically have a better sell for players from the East or Europe.
I understand how that might have been the case in the past, but I think the draw of playing for a cup contender makes players want to be on the team. I think both Heatly and Nash are examples of this. Both had/have expressed a desire to play for san jose. There are downsides to playing for the sharks for sure, but there are positives as well. I don't believe the DW makes everyone drink the kool-aid theory. I think if the sharks wanted to they could now roll out the red carpet and sign a big name free agent if his priorities aligned with what the sharks have to offer (mostly winning).
everyone thinks they can be the guy that gets the Sharks over the top and win the cup and earn eternal glory while living in the paradise that is the bay area
then they get here, realize how much help we need, and they're like
