Patrick O'Sullivan Not Showing Up to Camp
Hey, Patrick O'Sullivan isn't reporting to the start of camp as the Kings and his agent try to come to terms on a contract. That's pretty much all you're going to hear from me on this whole thing. I know it's a big story and everything, but I just can't bring myself to actually write about it. For one, we have no idea who is demanding what. Is it a Mike Cammalleri "I'm worth $6 million dollars" thing or is it a Dean Lombardi "I'm a miserable cheap ass" thing or is it an AEG "We hate spending money" thing? I have no idea and I'd say it's probably inappropriate for me to speculate. Second, I just don't really give a fuck about contracts. I don't follow hockey because I enjoy watching assholes argue over money. All I'll say is that O'Sullivan's contract sets a precedent for others and I understand why Lombardi wouldn't want to give in to him, but I also understand why O'Sullivan wants a big deal now in this market. Bottom line, I'd much rather focus on the guys who are at training camp, not the one guy who's not.
Tomorrow I'll have a training camp round-up that will cover all the training camp battles you'll need to keep your eye on. If you want to talk about how stupid Dean Lombardi is or why this is all Patrick O'Sullivan's dad's fault, go to Letsgokings.com, where I'm sure you'll find well-reasoned and level-headed discussion that is in no way retarded. I'll be focusing on hockey.
9 comments:
before all the fans bash lombardi, i think you must ask yourself...
is o'sullivans one good (first) year worth a short 4.5-5 million dollar contract? more than what brown is getting paid?
it's not really that big a deal yet. i'd give it till about wednesday before i start panicking.
Well said (Rudy). I don't think a GM can be called a "cheap ass" unless its the Cowboys and they are also the owner (and he is not a cheap ass, either). It's not their money, so if they are being "cheap" with it it is either under instruction from the owners (possible) or its because the potential contract needs to be reasonable for the good of the team (probable).
is o'sullivans one good (first) year worth a short 4.5-5 million dollar contract?
Hard to say, but if I were him or his agent I'd definitely be looking at Dustin Penner's deal.
more than what brown is getting paid?
That's not quite fair. Brownie is on a dinosaurish contract. You think even Dustin Brown would sign his own contract right now? I'm sure there's more current and relevant contracts to compare against.
it's not really that big a deal yet. i'd give it till about wednesday before i start panicking.
The way the Kings are projected, I'd probably not panic until the last Wednesday in December. It'll happen at some point, but I can't see why it's hugely important that this deal get done by game one.
And I will say this for Lombardi. He may be dollar-stubborn, but at least he's keeping a better player out of Anaheim's training camp than the one who's not attending L.A.'s.
I agree with the Kings and
Lombardi here, and I am the one that keeps mentioning how cheap they are.
In a CAP strapped NHL why do players with one good year keep holding out for (and getting in most cases) HUGE contracts?
I know I'm an idiot, but I just do not get it. If I was Lombardi I would take the picks....oh wait..that was Penner.
Fuck it!
Actually I think O'Sullivan is the first hold out since the new CBA. I think he will have a deadline at which point he will not be able to play in the NHL this season. Doesn't change his contractual status though - meaning he's not a year closer to UFA. I may be wrong but I think that's it.
You might applaud Lombardi but the whole trend of big contracts for one good year for a kid is the way it is now for better ir for worse.
So I guess Schneider's not showing up for Anaheim's camp, either.
Strong suggestions that something's imminent, but I'll believe it when I see it.
I think he will have a deadline at which point he will not be able to play in the NHL this season.
I don't deny that this is true (actually, I have no idea), but what a weird league. O'Sullivan needs to sign by a certain date, but guys like Selanne and Sundin can waltz back in whenever they please?
Oh well. 'Tis the way it is, I guess.
unrestricted vs. restricted
I don't think it's a matter of Lombardi being cheap, necessarily. He just doesn't have good rapport with the players and agents, and that leads to both sides getting entrenched in their positions. And that leads to holdouts and bitter arbitration and not keeping Rob Blake in the loop, pissing him off so he signs with a competitor.
It's not that he's wrong in his reasoning, it's that the way he does it is kind of dickish, so the players and agents aren't as willing to compromise.
Remember, O'Sullivan is an RFA, so if he's gonna play for anybody, it's gonna be the Kings. I'd have to think that Lombardi would match any offer sheet, unless it were a 4-year/$40 million deal.
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