Cody Eakin’s agent has said previously that he likes to negotiate based on comparable contracts.
He may want to review Jaden Schwartz’s deal then, as it might be a good measuring stick for where Eakin’s deal could wind up.
Schwartz, 22, signed a two year deal with the St Louis Blues that will average $2.35 million a season. The Blues only had a little over that amount in cap space to work with, so the parameters of his deal were always going to come in under the $3 million mark.
Similarly, Dallas is working with about $5 million in space to sign both Eakin and Brenden Dillon (that number includes Rich Peverley’s cap hit). With teams needing flexibility for injuries/recalls/etc during the season, most would expect the deals for these RFAs to come in at under $2.5 million.
But does that mean that Eakin should expect Schwartz money in his deal?
The two players are actually fairly similar. Both are guys that are in more depth roles right now, with plenty to prove still. Nearly identical in age, the two even have nearly identical stats at the NHL level, with Eakin having a few more games under his belt.
The big difference between salaries for Eakin and Schwartz may be the goal production. Schwartz popped in 25 last year, while Eakin only had 16. Goal scorers tend to get paid more, and the Stars will probably also point out that Eakin will not get second line center minutes this year and, therefore, could see lower production because of it.
For now, it seems that talks really aren’t progressing with either of the Stars’ restricted free agents, Eakin or Brenden Dillon. It could change in a heartbeat, but after missing over a week of training camp at this point, the team is trying out young guys for their spots in the lineup for opening night. (Which is now only Shawn Horcoff days away. And there was much rejoicing!)
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Here’s your Monday morning Timbits to go with your coffee. Ok, so not really Timbits because we live in Texas and Tim Horton’s hasn’t figured out that they could make a killing down here with their coffee yet. Wonder if Tom Gaglardi has considered a Timmy’s franchise on Victory Plaza yet? Wait, there’s my million dollar idea I’ve been looking for!
Patrik Nemeth had a pretty crazy end of year last season. The good (Calder Cup run with Texas), the bad (losing game six in overtime in Dallas), and the awesome (this) all will help to shape his mental fortitude moving forward in the professional hockey game in North America. [Dallas Morning News]
Remember last season when you were envious of the Anaheim Ducks‘ goaltending depth? Don’t roll your eyes….they seemed to just continue to win with whomever they put in net, and Dallas couldn’t get good starts from their backups many a night. Here’s one person who thinks that John Gibson should go to the AHL this season, even after plenty of good showings last year. [Pucks of a Feather]
Ex-Stars defensemen and all-around great guy Stephane Robidas has been cleared for contact in his new home in Toronto. Maybe he should ask not to play in Dallas this year. The last two times on that ice haven’t treated him kindly. [Pro Hockey Talk]
The Edmonton Oilers seem to be in mid-season form already. [Chicago Tribune]
Mike Smith has terrible hair? That’s what David Moss thinks some days. [AZ Central]
Dan Ellis was placed on waivers by the Florida Panthers. [Miami Herald]
We might have the first play for the Department of Player Safety to review after Nate Schmidt took an ugly elbow to the head in Washington’s preseason tilt with Montreal yesterday. Texas native Chris Brown stuck up for his teammate in a fight soon after. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
The Capitals had already been hit by injury, with Jay Beagle suffering an upper-body injury and Brooks Laich bruising a knee within the same game. That’s two centers injured, one game. Depth is a good thing, really. [Washington Post]
There seems to be a trend this year, with plenty of great hockey players that have suffered some pretty serious injuries this preseason. The list almost reads like an All-Star roster. A recap of big injuries sustained this preseason:
- Pavel Datsyuk will miss 4-5 weeks with a separated shoulder
- Nathan Horton has a degenerative back problem, and is out again for who knows how long. Combined with the absence of Ryan Johansen due to not having a contract, and the Blue Jackets are having a rough start to the season.
- Derek Stepan broke a fibula and will be out 4-6 weeks at least, and that brings up all sorts of questions about the New York Rangers‘ depth at center.
- Jordan Staal broke a fibula also and will be out 3-4 months, leaving a hole at second line center for them for a good chunk of the season.
- Kimmo Timonen has blood clots and may not play this season.
- Jonathan Drouin will miss 3-4 weeks with a fractured right thumb. I would imagine that it is hard to grip a hockey stick with a broken finger of any kind.
- David Clarkson could miss time after injuring his eye and/or cheekbone in a fight after missing the first four preseason games with a different injury.
- Beau Bennett has a leg injury that will cause him to miss six weeks.
Is it October yet, indeed. There will be plenty of teams that will be grateful to get there without (more) major injuries to key guys.
And now a bit of levity as your sendoff into the day…
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a mock third jersey and taped their players’ reactions. I love how Radko Gudas just rolls with it. Please let this be their entry for the NHL’s ugly Christmas sweater line.