Silver Nuggets: What is Fair Value for Karlsson?
Started post-season Nuggets off the other day with a list of questions facing the Ottawa Senators as they head into the summer. Tried to touch on the biggest one, the Daniel Alfredsson situation, the other day, but today its time to look at a story that will affect considerably more than the immediate future for the Ottawa Senators; the contract that is to be given to Norris Trophy finalist Erik Karlsson.
The staggering numbers are things we've all heard before. 78 points lead all defenseman by an incredible 25 points. His 19 goals tied him for most from the back-end with Shea Weber, and 5 were game winners. His 59 assists were good for 3rd in the entire league, not to mention 10 more than any other blueliner. He finished a +16 while playing just over 25 minutes a night for a team that had a 5-on-5 goals for/against ratio of 1.05. He led defenseman in shots on goal with 261, and added another 31 on goal in just 7 playoff games. He led d-men in takeaways with 67, 16 more than Shea Weber.
Simply put, he was an absolute difference-maker for a team that desperately needed one. His style, which is so unique, caused teams to either make adjustments or risk getting burned.
So, with contract negotiations looming, what do you offer to your franchise blueliner if you are Bryan Murray? Do you give him Drew Doughty money, 7 million a year until 2019? Drafted in the same year, also nominated for a Norris Trophy once. Do you give him a comparable contract to Mike Green, 5.5 million per season? Green put up similar point totals (with less defensive ability and a better supporting cast) and was also nominated for a Norris. Do you give him a similar contract to Duncan Keith, 5.53 million all the way until 2023? Keith is a Norris trophy winner and the workhorse of the Chicago Blackhawks.
Personally, I think he deserves upwards of 6, 6.5 million on a 4-5 year deal, but I would love to see him take less for the team. He seems to love playing in Ottawa, where he is the next face of the franchise and he has a coach that lets him run free. The management seems to love Swedish players and have drafted quite a few of them to join Erik as the "new core", and the history is there with Alfie and the career he has had here in Ottawa.
What do you give him?
Links after the jump!
Sentators News
- Further to the story above the jump, here is Allen Panzeri looking at some comments by the Euge, who is hoping to keep Erik Karlsson at a "reasonable" salary. Whatever that means. [Panzeri]
- Following up the Nuggets the other day, here is a story from the Ottawa Sun about where Daniel Alfredsson may end up next year if he is not in the Senators lineup. Looks like options include advisor to Bryan Murray or assistant coach with Paul MacLean. [Garrioch]
- At #5 in our Top 25 under 25 series, Mika Zibanejad. Mika is the most intriguing prospect the Senators have (in my opinion). Hard to tell what kind of player he can be for the Senators. [Silver Seven]
- Here is a good article from Wayne Scanlan talking about Paul MacLean's well deserved Jack Adams nomination for Coach of the Year. [Scanlan]
- Finally, Alfie has been named captain of Swedish national team at the World Championships [SteffeG Twitter]
League News
- Biggest news this morning is the hiring of former Blackhawks assistant GM Marc Bergevin as the newest Montreal Canadians general manager. After a couple of disastrous seasons under Pierre Gauthier, the Habs look to turn a new corner with a former player with a completely different personality. Here's the scoop from Chris Kuc [Tribune]
- In keeping with that story, here is Mirtle taking a look at who Marc Bergevin really is. [Globe and Mail]
- Last Montreal story I promise. There was a report leaked this morning that indicated the Canadians plan on buying out the atrocious contract that Glen Sather gave to Scott Gomez. My thoughts are, if this does happen, won't be until after the new CBA, because of the possibility of amnesty buy outs. [Puck Daddy]
- Here is Bruce Arthur (man this guy is unreal) with a story about the NHL's perceived "Russian problem". With two top prospects in this years draft being Russian, should be interesting to see how it all shakes down. This link is for you, Adnan. [National Post]
- Last night the NJ Devils were able to do what so far had not been done in these playoffs: keep the Philadelphia Flyers from scoring a power play goal. They did is by outworking the Flyers, and evened the series as a result. [Cotsonika]
- And finally my most RIDICULOUS link of the day, this is honestly a real story on CSNPhilly.com. This story actually claims that there is a thing called the NHWAPF- National Hockey Writers Against Philadelphia Flyers. For real. I kid you not. Read the rest to learn more about this secret society! Next Nuggets, we'll talk about the Illuminati! [John Boruk]