Saturday, July 28, 2007

The Penner offer sheet and ...

Edmonton Oilers Gm, Kevin Lowe, this week tended an offer sheet to Anaheim's Dustin Penner, a restricted free agent. Lowe was within his right to do so, the CBA permits it. It's not the fact that Lowe presented the offer sheet, it's the way he did that has Ducks Gm Brian Burke in a pickle.

Dan Wood of the Orange County Registar,Mentions that Burke called Lowe's actions, as being gutless and classless.Burke will meet with CEO,Micheal Schulman and owners,Henry and Susan Samueli, before any decision is made. The Ducks cap hit sits at 49,358,459, which is bumping against the cap. To be noted, that only the 23 highest salaries are counted, but there also about 400,000 of a buyout that must be calculated for 2007-08, which limits you to 22 skaters. It's certainly not the 400 k that is Burke's problem, it's what happens if Scott Niedermeyer comes back to play an another year. He has two years left on his contract.If the former captain walks away , the money comes off the books and the problem is solved and Burke can match the Oilers offer. They are many more ways around this situation, but I won't get in to it, as they are long and complex, Burke's cap guy will certainly explained them to upper management in the meeting.

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out and the impact it will have on other RFA's due to be signed or going to arbitration. Bob Gainey in Montreal is surely not seeing Lowe's offer in a good way, as he will try to avoid an arbitration hearing with 30 goal man, Micheal Ryder, who had similar numbers to Penner's last season.

Brisebois back in Montreal ?

According to the Journal de Montreal, Bob Gainey and Patrice Brisebois were seen having a lunch together in a Montreal restaurant, from that same paper, it's mentionned made Brisebois a contract offer for the 2007-08 season at 700 k. The former Habs defenseman is said to be considering it seriously. Is Gainey gearing up at major trade, and this is a step he needed to take in order not too be caught short on the backend ? We just find out faster than we think.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Bad move. He is not worth that money. The Ducks will be much better off NOT signing him.