OK so what would a good contract for him be? Three years @ $3 million a season?
- stevens87

3 years at $2.5M to $2.75M

It's not that bad. Not the way he talks about. It's not Milan Lucic or the guy traded for him James Neal. You want bad contracts?

Here are two:

Nielsen, Frans 35 $5,250,000 for 3 more years

Abdelkader, Justin 32 $4,250,000 for 4 more years.
- stevens87

How did Abdelkader fall off so bad? I always thought he was a beast to play against. Then all of a sudden poof.

3 years at $2.5M to $2.75M
- Rinosaur

That maybe closer to what it should be but when a similar type of player like Joonas Donkoi is getting $3.9 for the next four years, is that realistic? Tanev's contract might look pretty good in two years. Let's hope it does.

That maybe closer to what it should be but when a similar type of player like Joonas Donkoi is getting $3.9 for the next four years, is that realistic? Tanev's contract might look pretty good in two years. Let's hope it does.
- stevens87

Donskoi is a better payer than Tanev.

That maybe closer to what it should be but when a similar type of player like Joonas Donkoi is getting $3.9 for the next four years, is that realistic? Tanev's contract might look pretty good in two years. Let's hope it does.
- stevens87

Term doesn't matter. Term doesn't affect this upcoming season, talk to me in 4-5 years *IF* the term is a problem then

So, at 27, he makes 3.5 million, which is MAYBE a 500k overpay?

People act like he's a completely useless player with negative value like JJ

GMJR got the player he obviously targeted at *maybe* a 500k overpay, which is 0.7% of the salary cap

Thats how Free Agency works

Donskoi is a better payer than Tanev.
- Blackstrom2

Did Donskoi want to come here for the same $$ and term that he signed for in Colorado?

Did Donskoi want to come here for the same $$ and term that he signed for in Colorado?
- RoloTahmasee

No, no one does except bottom six scrubs who have to be massively overpaid.

Do you think agents don’t notice when a GM repeatedly tosses his players under the bus, and don’t communicate that to their clients?

So, Rutherford makes a good value signing and we're going to bash him for a "perceived" poor value contract? I've honestly been coming to this site less and less over the last year. RW's blogs are just, well, boring and repetitive.

And, as far as Tanev...He hits a ton. He has extremely good speed. He's improved in every way each year in the league. He's not a player worth complaining about

MattStrat made the Kunitz comparison.
- Brayn

To Tanev?...nah. I never. You're mixing it up with me picking T. Wilson as a winger (ignoring the rules of only one player from a Metro team per position) because he had a heavy relentless forecheck, creates space for his line mates and havoc around the net like Kunitz which went really well with Sid. Said that Kunitz was the much better shooter and passer though.

To Tanev?...nah. I never. You're mixing it up with me picking T. Wilson as a winger (ignoring the rules of only one player from a Metro team per position) because he had a heavy relentless forecheck, creates space for his line mates and havoc around the net like Kunitz which went really well with Sid. Said that Kunitz was the much better shooter and passer though.
- MattStrat

I stand corrected, sir. My apologies. After I read this, I remembered the video montage you posted.

So, Rutherford makes a good value signing and we're going to bash him for a "perceived" poor value contract? I've honestly been coming to this site less and less over the last year. RW's blogs are just, well, boring and repetitive.

And, as far as Tanev...He hits a ton. He has extremely good speed. He's improved in every way each year in the league. He's not a player worth complaining about
- cranktheradio

It's RW, he can't give management even a neutral rating for a move unless he can bash them at the same time.

Imagine how great the team would fit under the cap without the Tanev signing.

I stand corrected, sir. My apologies. After I read this, I remembered the video montage you posted.
- Brayn

No worries at all. There's a lot of us spewing all sorts of crap multiple times a day haha. Easy to get it mixed up.

Imagine how great the team would fit under the cap without the Tanev signing.
- eNDSo

The only thing I will say is that if the Tanev signing means JJ has to get pushed out then its awesome haha and makes the the contract far more digestible.

OK so what would a good contract for him be? Three years @ $3 million a season?
- stevens87

2 years. 2.6 million AAV. Give or take.

I totally forgot Jumbo Joe wasnt signed yet. He's still pretty damn good...

It's not that bad. Not the way he talks about. It's not Milan Lucic or the guy traded for him James Neal. You want bad contracts?

Here are two:

Nielsen, Frans 35 $5,250,000 for 3 more years

Abdelkader, Justin 32 $4,250,000 for 4 more years.
- stevens87

It’s the worst contract signed this offseason.

I totally forgot Jumbo Joe wasnt signed yet. He's still pretty damn good...


- MattStrat

Always wanted Jumbo Joe as a Red Wing. Would’ve really helped us instead of signing Stephen Weiss.

You really think Tanev's contract is that crippling to Pens?
- stevens87

Depends on how you look at it. Because of the Tanev contract, the Pens now have to trade someone. The most likely to be traded is Rust. Rust is better than a Tanev and signed for only two years. Tanev wasn’t a need. The only need the Pens had was to upgrade the defense but instead they made a pointless signing and now have to trade Rust or Bjugstad, both of whom I’d rather have over Tanev. Tanevs contract is one of, if not the worst contracts signed this offseason. Does that mean I dislike the player? No. But it’s still a dumb move.

Depends on how you look at it. Because of the Tanev contract, the Pens now have to trade someone. The most likely to be traded is Rust. Rust is better than a Tanev and signed for only two years. Tanev wasn’t a need. The only need the Pens had was to upgrade the defense but instead they made a pointless signing and now have to trade Rust or Bjugstad, both of whom I’d rather have over Tanev. Tanevs contract is one of, if not the worst contracts signed this offseason. Does that mean I dislike the player? No. But it’s still a dumb move.
- j.boyd919

Aside from the length, the Tanev contract itself isn't bad in a vacuum. However, when you don't have a ton of cap space and already have a few Tanev's, it was odd to say the least. Much like a #4/#5 defenseman isn't bad, you can't build a defense full of #5/#6 defensemen (trust me, as a Flyers fan, I know). If the Pens didn't have Rust or Bjugstad, then sure, the length is a concern, but it's a solid signing. But yeah, given the roster make up, it didn't make much sense.

Aside from the length, the Tanev contract itself isn't bad in a vacuum. However, when you don't have a ton of cap space and already have a few Tanev's, it was odd to say the least. Much like a #4/#5 defenseman isn't bad, you can't build a defense full of #5/#6 defensemen (trust me, as a Flyers fan, I know). If the Pens didn't have Rust or Bjugstad, then sure, the length is a concern, but it's a solid signing. But yeah, given the roster make up, it didn't make much sense.
- jmatchett383

Yeah I agree. In a vacuum the contract isn’t bad but given the Pens cap position and roster makeup, it was a bad move.

If JJ gets moved with Rust, I won’t give a poop about the move though. But if Rust goes by himself for cap relief, it was a poor contract.

Aside from the length, the Tanev contract itself isn't bad in a vacuum. However, when you don't have a ton of cap space and already have a few Tanev's, it was odd to say the least. Much like a #4/#5 defenseman isn't bad, you can't build a defense full of #5/#6 defensemen (trust me, as a Flyers fan, I know). If the Pens didn't have Rust or Bjugstad, then sure, the length is a concern, but it's a solid signing. But yeah, given the roster make up, it didn't make much sense.
- jmatchett383

Reminds me a lot of the Hunwick signing but on a larger scale, TBH. We have Cole coming up on the end of his contract, Rutherford brings a guy in who he thinks can play Cole’s #5D role for similar $$$ but more length. Didn’t work out so well.

My primary concern is whether the term and any NMC/NTC provisions given out to players like Tanev affect the team going into the Seattle draft. I admit I'm not sure if Tanev has such a clause but I know JR has been dolling them out recently.

The only thing I will say is that if the Tanev signing means JJ has to get pushed out then its awesome haha and makes the the contract far more digestible.
- MattStrat

I honestly think that this was Rutherford's intention this summer....to trade JJ. I can't remember what reporter said this (I think it was Yohe), but JR believes he can trade any contract under 4mil. Seems to be a gross miscalculation as the summer moves along. With the escalation in costs for RFA's and not enough rebuilding clubs willing to take on 3.25mil for four more years. If JJ had only a year or two left, that might be palatable if you're offering a nice asset to LA or Anaheim. I know this team doesn't do buyouts, but that was the best route for dumping him if they're only concerned about the next 3 years.

JR miscalculated his ability to add centers a couple of years ago too.

I honestly think that this was Rutherford's intention this summer....to trade JJ. I can't remember what reporter said this (I think it was Yohe), but JR believes he can trade any contract under 4mil. Seems to be a gross miscalculation as the summer moves along. With the escalation in costs for RFA's and not enough rebuilding clubs willing to take on 3.25mil for four more years. If JJ had only a year or two left, that might be palatable if you're offering a nice asset to LA or Anaheim. I know this team doesn't do buyouts, but that was the best route for dumping him if they're only concerned about the next 3 years.

JR miscalculated his ability to add centers a couple of years ago too.
- madmike71

JR has miscalculated a lot in recent years.