Minnesota Wild Qualify Foster

[tom webster]

Doug Riseborough says "he doesn't need the stress in his life."

 

I know that this is a completely different set of circumstances, or is it? Do we know what Buffalo would do? More importantly, do the players know what Buffalo would do?

[darksabre]

what are you talking about. please link to something, anything.

[SCSabresFan!]

Tom,

 

Sorry but I'm lost - your post is vague.

[SabreInFla]

I think he is talking about this.........but sorry man, the post is irrelevant regardless. Who Cares what Buffalo would do and as harsh as it sounds......I would hope they wouldn't blow cap space.

 

The Minnesota Wild are planning to re-sign injured defenseman Kurtis Foster in the off-season.

Foster broke his femur ten days ago and it is uncertain at this time if the unrestricted free agent to be, will even be able to play next year. "I don't have to qualify him [to retain his rights], but I will," GM Doug Risebrough said. "It's a bad message not to do that. He's a good player. He needs a motivation [to rehab], and he doesn't need that stress in his life." The Wild will apparently offer Foster a one-year/$1.075 million contract by the June 25 deadline for qualifying. Foster was released from a San Jose hospital on Friday and returned to Minnesota, to enter a hospital there. We wish Foster the best of luck at rehabbing the broken leg and hopefully he will be able to resume his NHL career at some point.

[tom webster]

I think he is talking about this.........but sorry man, the post is irrelevant regardless. Who Cares what Buffalo would do and as harsh as it sounds......I would hope they wouldn't blow cap space.

 

The Minnesota Wild are planning to re-sign injured defenseman Kurtis Foster in the off-season.

Foster broke his femur ten days ago and it is uncertain at this time if the unrestricted free agent to be, will even be able to play next year. "I don't have to qualify him [to retain his rights], but I will," GM Doug Risebrough said. "It's a bad message not to do that. He's a good player. He needs a motivation [to rehab], and he doesn't need that stress in his life." The Wild will apparently offer Foster a one-year/$1.075 million contract by the June 25 deadline for qualifying. Foster was released from a San Jose hospital on Friday and returned to Minnesota, to enter a hospital there. We wish Foster the best of luck at rehabbing the broken leg and hopefully he will be able to resume his NHL career at some point.

 

Cap space? Last year was an abheration, Tom is never going to let them get that close to cap space again.

Like Riseborough said, its the right thing to do!

[SabreInFla]

Cap space? Last year was an abheration, Tom is never going to let them get that close to cap space again.

Like Riseborough said, its the right thing to do!

I don't really care enough to argue hypotheticals over a non Sabres situation....but anyway, why blow over a million dollars in room on a guy that most likely is going to play next year, and as sad as it, maybe longer that?

[shrader]

Ok, so that says he's an unrestricted free agent yet Minnesota can make him a qualifying offer? Either you're quoting a horrible source or that quote left out a very important part of the story.

 

Oh, and as for questioning Minnesota for this move and whether or not Buffalo would do it, Ccrtain people around here had a lot of questions about Tim Connolly. Granted they did give him a longer deal and more money, but I really don't see it as being all that different.

[tom webster]

Ok, so that says he's an unrestricted free agent yet Minnesota can make him a qualifying offer? Either you're quoting a horrible source or that quote left out a very important part of the story.

 

Oh, and as for questioning Minnesota for this move and whether or not Buffalo would do it, Ccrtain people around here had a lot of questions about Tim Connolly. Granted they did give him a longer deal and more money, but I really don't see it as being all that different.

 

 

A couple of points.

1) Foster is a restricted free agent

2) Buffalo signed Connolly believing that he was going to come back and if he did they would have a bargain on their hands. They had doctors on both sides of the issue and went with the doctors saying he would be alright.

3) Minnesota is basically giving this kid $1 million knowing he may never play again.

[tom webster]

I don't really care enough to argue hypotheticals over a non Sabres situation....but anyway, why blow over a million dollars in room on a guy that most likely is going to play next year, and as sad as it, maybe longer that?

 

 

Its called taking care of your people and doing the right thing. Succesful business people know that there is a cost to doing business and business people like myself believe that if you treat people the right way it comes back to you ten fold.

Cold hearted and cutthroat is a short term business plan.

[Bmwolf21]

OK, here's the link to the story. LINK

 

As Tom mentioned, Foster will be a RFA next season, so the Wild are extending a qualifying offer to retain his rights and help him with his rehab:

"I don't have to qualify him [to retain his rights], but I will," Risebrough said. "It's a bad message not to do that. He's a good player. He needs a motivation [to rehab], and he doesn't need that stress in his life."

 

By the June 25 deadline, the Wild will offer Foster a one-year, $1.025 million contract, something insurance will not cover, assistant GM Tom Lynn said.

 

After nine days in a San Jose, Calif., hospital, Foster, 26, was discharged Friday, flew back to he Twin Cities on a charter aircraft and was admitted into a hospital.

 

-snip-

 

"He's limited to what he can do and can't have weight bearing on it, so it's more comfortable [having him at a hospital] continuing his [physical therapy]."

 

Asked how many months Foster's expected to be out, Risebrough said: "A long time. The last thing he needs to be thinking about is time frame. Some time next season ... hopefully."

 

I don't see what cap space would have to do with it - I can't imagine why they wouldn't be able to get a BF-LTI exception for the cap space, like Buffalo did with Connolly. And what are we talking about - $1M? It's not like this is re-signing Gaborik. They're taking care of a fringe guy who might have just seen his career end. Classy move by the Wild.

[shrader]

A couple of points.

1) Foster is a restricted free agent

2) Buffalo signed Connolly believing that he was going to come back and if he did they would have a bargain on their hands. They had doctors on both sides of the issue and went with the doctors saying he would be alright.

3) Minnesota is basically giving this kid $1 million knowing he may never play again.

 

But the Sabres are idiots re paying a guy they think will help them but the Wild are great humanitarians for signing a guy who may not play again? Double standard?

 

Really though. The press can spin this however they want, but don't kid yourself, Minnesota will do this so they can retain his rights because he will play again.

[SwampD]

Wasn't he also injured on the ice during a game, not a pre-existing, undisclosed, non-hockey related issue?

 

Just asking.

[tom webster]

Wasn't he also injured on the ice during a game, not a pre-existing, undisclosed, non-hockey related issue?

 

Just asking.

 

Teppo's injury wasn't undisclosed and he is arguing that it is hockey related. Also, it is the difference between a class move and a cold heartyed business move.

[tom webster]

But the Sabres are idiots re paying a guy they think will help them but the Wild are great humanitarians for signing a guy who may not play again? Double standard?

 

Really though. The press can spin this however they want, but don't kid yourself, Minnesota will do this so they can retain his rights because he will play again.

 

Sabres are idiots for paying a guy $10 million for three years when no one in the league would have touched him, especially when you consider that they were up against the cap and cutting a guy like Dumont lose.

 

And really, the Wild are doing this to just to retain a 5th or 6th defensemen! Please, there is class and there is the Sabres.

[shrader]

I'm sorry, but all I see when I read that is a double standard.

 

Well, that and the fact that I still think its all about retaining his rights because he will play again.

[tom webster]

I'm sorry, but all I see when I read that is a double standard.

 

Well, that and the fact that I still think its all about retaining his rights because he will play again.

 

 

Since I have respect for most of your posts, i will agree to disagree on the first point but the second point of yours just seems like reaching to make a point.

[carpandean]

Since I have respect for most of your posts, i will agree to disagree on the first point but the second point of yours just seems like reaching to make a point.

He may be, but it is really hard to know. Maybe they are just doing it out of the kindness of their hearts ... or maybe they see a lot of potential in defenseman who is still young for that position and has been moved around so much that he hasn't had time to settle into one team. Perhaps the doctors are telling them that the chances he will play again are very good and that the time line could be sometime next season. Investing a million when they could walk away would retain their rights for after he heals and give them good will in the negotiation. Unless you are in that management's office, you just can't know for sure.

 

Not saying you wrong about taking care of your employees (you are most certainly not wrong about that), but this could just as easily be a case of them exploiting an already wise business decision to gain some additional good press. From that example, the Sabres' FO could certainly learn a lesson. It's not always the truth that matters; it's often the perception of the truth on which you are judged.

[tom webster]

He may be, but it is really hard to know. Maybe they are just doing it out of the kindness of their hearts ... or maybe they see a lot of potential in defenseman who is still young for that position and has been moved around so much that he hasn't had time to settle into one team. Perhaps the doctors are telling them that the chances he will play again are very good and that the time line could be sometime next season. Investing a million when they could walk away would retain their rights for after he heals and give them good will in the negotiation. Unless you are in that management's office, you just can't know for sure.

 

Not saying you wrong about taking care of your employees (you are most certainly not wrong about that), but this could just as easily be a case of them exploiting an already wise business decision to gain some additional good press. From that example, the Sabres' FO could certainly learn a lesson. It's not always the truth that matters; it's often the perception of the truth on which you are judged.

 

See, that last sentence is the point. No matter what you think, it is the players perception that is their reality, and in the end, that's all that matters. I believe that is the biggest thing that seems to escape Larry and the boys.

[X. Benedict]

Doug Riseborough says "he doesn't need the stress in his life."

 

I know that this is a completely different set of circumstances, or is it? Do we know what Buffalo would do? More importantly, do the players know what Buffalo would do?

 

 

Let's see....while it sounds like the decent thing to do...the guy is a 6'5" dman with quite a shot.

 

I guess I can't see taking anything Doug Riseborough says quite at face value.

A Ken Linseman with a conscience?

[deluca67]

Tom, this is a reach even by your low standards.

 

Teppo signed a contract and was unable to live up to the agreement. He was unable to play hockey. The Sabres did the right thing and protected themselves. Are you suggesting the Sabres ignore the terms of their contracts? Maybe the Sabres should take it a step further and ignore other rights they have under the CBA. Maybe they should let restricted free agents walk without compensation? Maybe they should let other teams talk to their players while they are still under contract? Maybe draft players and let them sign with what ever team they want? At least the Sabres would seem like good guys.

[shrader]

Tom, this is a reach even by your low standards.

 

Teppo signed a contract and was unable to live up to the agreement. He was unable to play hockey. The Sabres did the right thing and protected themselves. Are you suggesting the Sabres ignore the terms of their contracts? Maybe the Sabres should take it a step further and ignore other rights they have under the CBA. Maybe they should let restricted free agents walk without compensation? Maybe they should let other teams talk to their players while they are still under contract? Maybe draft players and let them sign with what ever team they want? At least the Sabres would seem like good guys.

 

Teppo really isn't a good comparison here. Between his many years of an NHL salary and the Montreal company, he's far more financially stable than Foster.

[tom webster]

Tom, this is a reach even by your low standards.

 

Teppo signed a contract and was unable to live up to the agreement. He was unable to play hockey. The Sabres did the right thing and protected themselves. Are you suggesting the Sabres ignore the terms of their contracts? Maybe the Sabres should take it a step further and ignore other rights they have under the CBA. Maybe they should let restricted free agents walk without compensation? Maybe they should let other teams talk to their players while they are still under contract? Maybe draft players and let them sign with what ever team they want? At least the Sabres would seem like good guys.

 

Other teams have chosen not to do as Buffalo has done. That is why Buffalo's handling of Teppo is so "landmark."

If one of their players comes down with a life threatening illness, will they stand behind them through their times of trouble?

Minnesota is ignoring their rights under the CBA.

Edmonton did with Pisani.

Detroit with Fischer.

Montreal with Koivu.

All of these players could have been suspended until they were or are "in playing shape."

 

I have not reached. What is surprising is that you have ignored similiar facts in evidence.

 

As for Shraeder's post, Teppo's financial security is irrelevant.

[shrader]

Other teams have chosen not to do as Buffalo has done. That is why Buffalo's handling of Teppo is so "landmark."

If one of their players comes down with a life threatening illness, will they stand behind them through their times of trouble?

Minnesota is ignoring their rights under the CBA.

Edmonton did with Pisani.

Detroit with Fischer.

Montreal with Koivu.

All of these players could have been suspended until they were or are "in playing shape."

 

I have not reached. What is surprising is that you have ignored similiar facts in evidence.

 

As for Shraeder's post, Teppo's financial security is irrelevant.

 

Ignoring their rights? They have the choice of whether or not to make a qualifying offer, which they claim they will do. How exactly is that "ignoring their rights"? As for the other players you mentioned, Koivu's problems happened under the previous CBA, so that's apples and oranges. Fischer's collapse happened during a game. I don't know exactly what followed that, but even if Detroit tried anything, they'd have a hard time backing out. Pisani missed all of 26 games and was in the middle of a long term contract. Bash the Sabres all you want, but no one has fallen under the same situation that they did.

[tom webster]

Ignoring their rights? They have the choice of whether or not to make a qualifying offer, which they claim they will do. How exactly is that "ignoring their rights"? As for the other players you mentioned, Koivu's problems happened under the previous CBA, so that's apples and oranges. Fischer's collapse happened during a game. I don't know exactly what followed that, but even if Detroit tried anything, they'd have a hard time backing out. Pisani missed all of 26 games and was in the middle of a long term contract. Bash the Sabres all you want, but no one has fallen under the same situation that they did.

 

 

Like someone intent on not giving in at all, you are rationalizing away other similiar situations.

The new CBA is irrelevant. There was no cap considerations here, they could have put him on long term injury if they needed the cap space.

Pisani is exactly the same, they could have suspended him until he was ready. Edmonton had no idea when he would be ready just as Teppo could have been ready earlier

[shrader]

Like someone intent on not giving in at all, you are rationalizing away other similiar situations.

The new CBA is irrelevant. There was no cap considerations here, they could have put him on long term injury if they needed the cap space.

Pisani is exactly the same, they could have suspended him until he was ready. Edmonton had no idea when he would be ready just as Teppo could have been ready earlier

 

Did the same rules apply under the old CBA? I'm not even talking about the cap here. What were the ramifications for the same move back then, ifi it was even allowed under the same circumstances? I don't know, but I'm not going to point to an extinct set of rules when trying to point out the errors made today.

 

You're missing one important fact though and that is the age and contract status of these players. At 38, Teppo is not likely to play beyond this year. The others you mentioned were all young and in the middle of longer contracts. These guys are far more likely to play again and there is far more incentive to "keep them happy".