This column originated in the Neil Smith days, when rumors
lingered on the vine long enough for Larry Brooks to write
three Sunday pieces on each matter.
Sather ruined all that by hiring every person who had worked
for him in Edmonton, creating a rumor-free working
environment for our GM.
But, lo and behold, a new rumor has sprung up and lasted
long enough for us to chew on. So let's get to it ...
1. Lindros is traded to Detroit for Curtis Joseph
- and then -
2. Mike Dunham is traded to Boston for Sergei Samsonov, or
2a. Dunham and Tom Poti for Samsonov/Nick Boynton
- and then -
3. Sather signs Federov to replace Lindros
Sorry folks, this doesn't add up. Here's why:
Detroit Wins in Part One
Yes, I'm sure Detroit has trade offers for Curtis Joseph -
namely, other teams interested in dealing away their
highly-paid players.
Perhaps Philly has offered LeClair. Maybe the Blues offered
Doug Weight. Maybe the Isles anted up Yashin. Who knows?
But Lindros does not have the same long-term, albatross
contract as those players. He can be bought out for $3 million,
and his deal expires after this season creating no post-cba
repercussions.
Cujo, on the other hand, has an $8 million contract that makes
him the higest paid goaltender in the sport. Just as important,
his stats were significantly weaker than Dunham's, despite
playing behind Norris Trophy winner Lidstrom, HOFer Chelios,
and a strong veteran team.
So why does this rumor have legs? Because Detroit wants it to.
Yzerman and Shanahan are Lindros-backers, and the Wings are
now desperate to rid themselves of Cujo's $8 million now
that Hasek is back in the fold.
The domino theory aspect of the remainding rumor confirms it.
Boston Wins Part Two
Samsonov is a quality talent and he has proved durable, this
injury notwithstanding. But he is still small and comes to a
team that has quite a few players of similar ilk.
More, Samsonov is a restricted free agent, who is unlikely
to go to arbitration after an injury-depleted season. Demands
from his camp are $5 million per on a multi-year deal.
Why would Sather want that kind of contract hassle when he
structured his roster and finances to avoid it?
On the other hand, Boston then gets a proven quality top
goaltender making reasonable money, and rids itself of another
contract headache like they've had in recent seasons with Jason
Allison and Anson Carter, among others.
As for the Poti rumors, I guess a Boston kid makes for a better
local angle for the Boston scribes.
Federov Wins Part Three
Yes, we'd need a centerman to replace Lindros.
But Federov? On a team with Bure? The same Federov who wants
$40 million over eight years? That one?
Conclusion: Fiction
This scenario adds $10 million to this year's roster, and adds
tens of millions to the post-salary cap environment.
It subtracts one of the biggest assets on the roster in Mike Dunham,
makes the team weaker and smaller at center ice, and further poisons
a locker room desperate for a legitimate work ethic.
If top prospects follow Cujo here from Detroit, then perhaps this
deal gains legitimacy. But right now it's likely an enticing idea with
willing trade partners who won't be able to get through the complex
details to make it work.
-Gabe
Posted by Gabe at July 07, 2003 09:38 PMeMail this entry!
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