There hasn't been any news on what the deal is worth. It's a one year deal. It's apparently got some significant bonus clauses in it, as well. If I had to speculate, my guess is the base deal is probably close to what the Sens were offering ($1.3 M) and will probably have up to $.5 million in bonuses availble.
We'll have to wait and see what the specific details are. As it is, I'm not too crazy with any deal in this situation being much more than the minimum that needs to be offered, but at least a deal is done, and the team can put this behind them.
An interesting question to consider now is what to do with Havlat. Last year, with Rachunek, they put him on a two-week condition stint in the AHL. This was mainly to give them time to figure out what to do with their surplus defencemen, but it also gave Rachunek a couple of weeks to get back the time lost of training camp. I'd like to see the same happen for Havlat, especially with his injury history, but I don't think we'll see it happen, especially if his contract contains significant bonuses.
It was the highlight of the game when they anounced Havlat signing duriong the second intermition. And they're talking about having Fisher and white ready for wednesday aswell.... It'll be good have the team at full strength for the first roadtrip.
...An interesting question to consider now is what to do with Havlat. Last year, with Rachunek, they put him on a two-week condition stint in the AHL. This was mainly to give them time to figure out what to do with their surplus defencemen, but it also gave Rachunek a couple of weeks to get back the time lost of training camp. I'd like to see the same happen for Havlat, especially with his injury history, but I don't think we'll see it happen, especially if his contract contains significant bonuses.
In the last several years, the Sens have stared down any player on his second contract. Even Hossa. Havlat has dared to stare back. Havlat has already been treated different compared to Fisher, Neil, Rachunek last season; he was offered much more than the usual 10% increase. I suppose he will also not be asked to go to Bingo for a conditioning stint. As they would say on Saturday Night Live, 'I guess heee's Special' Otherwise, I would like them not to put him in the line-up for a few games to let him skate with the team a bit, I hate those nagging recurring groin injuries and Marty has that affliction.
I haven't seen the details of the contract. It has to be approved by the League I guess before the info leaks out later today or tomorrow. We'll probably see the base salary, the bonuses will be less obvious. Both sides had to save face. So I guess the base will be close to where the Sens wanted and the bonuses will bring Marty where he wanted. But now Marty needs the cooperation of the coaching staff to get him those bonuses. Less PP time means less points = low or no bonuses. Martin has a captive listener now, maybe Havlat might have a more sensitive ear re. the benefits of playing both sides of the rink and two-way hockey.
Like most fans, I really dislike these contractual negotiations, but I guess they are a fact of life in pro-sports. I just wish fans wouldn't get so emotional about this. It is going to happen again and again in the future. Get used to it. I'm developing a pretty thick skin to these shenanigans. Call it Yashinitis.
And while the 22-year-old was prepared to sit as long as it took to receive the $2 million (all terms US) he felt he deserved, the fourth-year player opted for a $1.6-million deal with bonuses, the largest single-year contract in the history of the NHL for a player who is graduating from an entry-level contract.
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Despite the fact it's only a one-year solution, the kind of season most are expecting from Havlat would allow him to cash in next year in front of an independent arbitrator.
As you can see, a little timbit of donut thinking worked its way into his column - Havlat will not be "next year in front of an independent arbitrator" - he needs another season past this one for that. However this season will allow him to demonstrate his star or superstar potential, in particular getting beyond the 59 points he had last season. If he can do this, then Mucks can pay him next season for what he has delivered, not just what he might bring.
Anyways nice to see Havlat back, as it allows us to have 3 lines of 1/2 calibre players. For example if Jacques starts with White/Spezza/Alfie and Varada/Bonk/Hossa he can slip a 3rd line of Schastlivy/Smoke/Havlat on the ice. And if the other team's prime checkers are occupied with the Spezza and Hossa lines, Havlat should be freed up to get those performance bonuses, and everybody wins.
As you can see, a little timbit of donut thinking worked its way into his column - Havlat will not be "next year in front of an independent arbitrator" - he needs another season past this one for that. However this season will allow him to demonstrate his star or superstar potential, in particular getting beyond the 59 points he had last season. If he can do this, then Mucks can pay him next season for what he has delivered, not just what he might bring.
Anyways nice to see Havlat back, as it allows us to have 3 lines of 1/2 calibre players. For example if Jacques starts with White/Spezza/Alfie and Varada/Bonk/Hossa he can slip a 3rd line of Schastlivy/Smoke/Havlat on the ice. And if the other team's prime checkers are occupied with the Spezza and Hossa lines, Havlat should be freed up to get those performance bonuses, and everybody wins.
Is Van Allen a healthy scratch when Fisher gets back? Is schaefer-fisher-neil the 4th line? Or will they move fisher to the wing and varada down to the 4th line? Too many questions..
Personally, i'm dissapointed to be honest. I think Muckler caved because Marty was at the airport in Montreal.
I love that Havlat's back, don't get me wrong. I just wish that they had signed him to a long-term deal, ala Hossa. Now, we have to do this all over again next year, when he has more leverage, although still not full leverage (no arbitration rights). Ah well, at least he's back.
Personally, i'm dissapointed to be honest. I think Muckler caved because Marty was at the airport in Montreal.
I love that Havlat's back, don't get me wrong. I just wish that they had signed him to a long-term deal, ala Hossa. Now, we have to do this all over again next year, when he has more leverage, although still not full leverage (no arbitration rights). Ah well, at least he's back.
You have to find SOMEthing to complain about don't you? I'm looking forward to when muckler announces that Alfie has been signed to a new long-term deal.
Otherwise, I would like them not to put him in the line-up for a few games to let him skate with the team a bit, I hate those nagging recurring groin injuries and Marty has that affliction.
