While the Colorado Avalanche may have not figured Brett Clark to have a place in their blossoming young team, at least one other General Manager thinks otherwise. The newly appointed Vice President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning was quick to snatch up such a catch.
Steve Yzerman (you’ll remember him from not only Detroit Red Wings infamy but from shaping the Gold medal-winning Team Canada as well) jumped at the chance to bring Clarkie aboard, signing him to a two year contract worth $3 million. Brett Clark was typically my Martin Skoula replacement for the longest time, but he was a decent defenseman in the long term.
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He was 11th in the league for blocked shots last season, but had a mere 20 points and a plus 6 to show for his 64 regular season games played.
“In Brett Clark, we are adding an experienced, intelligent defenseman who plays the game efficiently. He’ll not only help steady and stabilize our defense, we expect him to help mentor our younger defensemen as they grow and develop. We are pleased he elected to join the Lightning today.” – Steve Yzerman
My beef isn’t with Clark walking away for greener green (or any green for that matter). It’s for letting him walk away. If the Avalanche knew they wouldn’t need him, why didn’t we shop him and/or trade him at some point. I understand the logistics of guys with big contracts that are scary in the day and age of the salary cap, but, like Jose Theodore and Ian Laperriere before him, the big losers here are the Avs.
More names are likely going to walk as well, including Darcy Tucker, Marek Svatos, Stephane Yelle, Matt Hendricks, and others. Wheeling and dealing is the name of the game and the Avalanche have been silent lately. If you want to let guys go their separate ways, don’t you think you would want some kind of return?
The folks at Mile High Hockey have a nice article about whether or not the organization is doing this for the money. When you look at them buying out Tom Preissing’s contract (see ya!) and the Ryan Smyth trade (sad day), you begin to wonder. Sitting nearly $11 million below the salary cap floor, it’s no wonder Kyle Quincey was offered 2 years and $6.25 million. I’m not saying he isn’t worth it.
But the NHL salary cap floor is $43.4 million this year and the Burgundy Boys currently sit at around $37.7 million, leaving $5.7 million to make up with nothing happening on the free agent front.
What do you think the team is doing? Are they saving up for the future? Are they quietly waiting for a legitimate chance to sign a name? Do you think they lost their chance to win the cup this season? Are they trying not to buy a cup and then watch the team fall apart due to financial woes (I’m looking at you Chicago)?
Related posts:
- Offseason Analysis: Defense
- Clark Out, Liles In, Andy Starts Again
- Avs vs. Jackets Game Notes
- Bring Us Simon Gagné
- The Chopping Block: Who Can We Afford to Let Go?
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