NHLPA Files Grievance- Barker and Versteeg Could Become UFAs

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 7:29 PM CDT Comment 67 comments

OK - so it's a molehill.. but it's a really fucking big one.

According to TSN - The Players Association has filed a grievance on behalf of Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker based on the qualifying offer mishap and will argue they should be ruled UFAs.

So now the league can agree with the PA - and the Hawks are screwed. Or they can disagree and the case will move to a hearing - and the Hawks might still be screwed. The league will almost certainly disagree with the Players Association so we're bound for some fun "hearings".

The Hawks likely won't be able to afford either player if they hit the open market. It wasn't even a sure thing they could afford them both if they remained RFAs. If they do become UFA's though the Hawks lose any rights to draft picks given up when a team signs a RFA from a team. One of them is certainly going to look to get paid and smart money is on Versteeg to be the one who bolts.

It ain't all bad news though - There's also news that Troy Brouwer, Corey Crawford, Ben Eager, Colin Fraser and surprisingly, Aaron Johnson have all signed new contracts.

Brouwer and Crawford were given two-year deals, everyone else gets a one year contract.

Chris Block over at Third Man In says the numbers for the contracts are $700K for Fraser, $956K for Eager (Double Nickels on the Dime from here on out), and Brouwer gets $1.025M for each of this two years. No word on $ amount for the other two contracts but Allan Walsh says Johnson's deal is a one-way deal.

Don't get your hopes up just because the Hawks were able to sign three of "The Chicago Five" (Ever heard of the Seattle seven? That was me... and 6 other guys). With all the money that could potentially be on the table now, Versteeg and Barker are almost certain to wait to see what happens with the hearing now - or they should fire their agents. And if their agent is Allan Walsh, they should probably fire him anyway...

UPDATE:

According to Darren Dreger - The Hawks got some good news today when Barker signed an extention with the Hawks for 3 years - $9.25 M. That's a 3.08 M cap hit which is probably less than he could have recieved from the open market. This is probably yet another sign that our time with Versteeg is probably done - which is upsetting since he was such a fun player to watch last year, both on and off the ice. We'll still keep an eye out for any news about him though...

This whole situation does say a lot about the future of the Hawks though. Any one of the players signed today probably left money out there if they had decided to push it - especially the ones that could have joined in with the grievance and tried to become UFAs. Getting players to take less to play here (or at least agree to long term deals like Hossa's) is the way to keep a strong team despite the salary cap.

Things are certainly different, eh? Who thought this day would come...

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Tjhose contracts

I wonder, though, do the other contracts potentially become null and void if, say, arbitration comes down saying that due to the fuck-up all of our RFAs (those who missed out on the “timely” Qualifying offers, I mean) should have been deemed UFAs …

by ChicoMaki on Jul 6, 2009 5:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that dioesn’t seem clear as I re-read it.

I just mean, will the recent RFA signings be retroactively canceled if arbitration deems that the Hawks are at fault and responsible? So, not just Versteeg and Barker but everyone?

by ChicoMaki on Jul 6, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sucks for you guys

but I’d love Versteeg on the Leafs. We need someone who can actually play hockey.

Hell I’d take Barker too. We can always use more truculence, pugnacity and defencemen.

A Nation of Masochists TRUCULENCE!! If you value your life, don't cross our blue line.

by furcifer on Jul 6, 2009 5:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You go to hell.

You go to hell right now and stay there. HEAR ME!!! Go there, stay there. Now. Go. Now let me alone while I wipe my tears away at the thought of this.

by ChicoMaki on Jul 6, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice Minutemen reference

Considering the worst rated(GVT) player in the NHL last year – Colton Orr received 4y/$4m per year from the Leafs that’s more than a fair offer for Eager. Seems a bit much to pay Brouwer considering there isn’t a place for him on this current roster barring injury. Good deal for Johnson…Fraser…whatever…more depth.

by Crease Monkey on Jul 6, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not Happy

how this situation is turning out. Losing Versteeg and/or Barker would be painful.

by eternale1 on Jul 6, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is fucking ridiculous.

Why would a stupid ass clerical error lead to this bullshit? What a fucking joke.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 5:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hopefully those who rule on the hearing

will share your opinion

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by hackerar on Jul 6, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could really see this going either way..

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hawks clerical skills = fail

Well, I had thought there might be a chance we lose one of both of those two as well and I had gotten mostly ok with that considering we would get some compensation. To not get anything though would really sting pretty bad. On the way to Johhny’s today, the thought occurred to me that first class organ-I-zations don’t get built from the ground up without some fuckups. This one would be a doozy, but it would not be the end of the team nor would it be a massive hit on the future. If it happens, it happens, and the team and fans need to endure the shit flung from the press and idiots from Detroit who type everything WITH CAPS LOCKED and move on. We still have a lot to look forward to and a reason to be thankful that Rocky Wirtz is engaged the way he is.

by NKLHD on Jul 6, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure if this is newsworthy to anyone

or if it happened earlier and I just missed it, but former Hawk Tim Brent has signed with Toronto.

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Jul 6, 2009 7:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cam Barker resigns

3y/$9.25M according to Dreger/TSN…$3.083M…pretty much what I expected.

http://twitter.com/darrendreger

by Crease Monkey on Jul 6, 2009 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

… we’re watching the same tickers.

This is turning into a regular soap opera.

by ChicoMaki on Jul 6, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

I gave up on keeping tabs on the cap room though. Hope there is not a ‘no movement’ clause in this deal.

by Crease Monkey on Jul 6, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Barker just signed a three-year deal ...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11850

by ChicoMaki on Jul 6, 2009 7:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Word on the street is..

That Versteeg is still working on a deal too – but the Hawks probably just don’t have the cap room.

PS.. the street is now my new name for Twitter because if I have to keep referencing Twitter I’m going to lose it

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Can we use "Twatspace"?

by McClure on Jul 6, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll allow it

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

whose street?

and by street i mean twitter..

by heyrocky on Jul 6, 2009 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of twitter

I reposted that Auto-Tune the News video you linked on my facebook. That shit was awesome.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s the fifth one they’ve done like that.. but I think it’s the best so far

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I watched the rest after I saw that one, and I agree. Musically, it's the best.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, and I opened the first bottle of a Dogfish Head 60MIPA clone that I brewed tonight. It's not quite fully carbonated yet, but it's fucking GOOD.

How’d that IPA you brewed turn out?

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty solid..

I definitely think I’d order it if it was at a bar… as long as it was cheap.

The second batch I brewed I’m not so fond of… live and learn.

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 9:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What was the second batch?

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A wheat beer..

added some orange peel and honey.. ended up tasting really appley…

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 6, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice. I brewed a raspberry wheat last summer.

Girlfriends make you do crazy things…

Still deciding what I want to do for my next batch. Either a Russian imperial stout or a saison — something challenging.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 6, 2009 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I was in Germany,

I had a peach beer, I know that it was a Hefeweizen, and I know that it had a peach floating in the bottle. I do not remember much else, due to Severe Intoxication, but I do know that they were so good that I drank a rack of them.
Lord, the memories I don’t have of traveling in Germany.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jul 6, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just bought a sixer of a peach wheat beer from O'Fallon's called "Wheach."

It’s pretty good, and females love it.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Jul 7, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Had to laugh

“Females love it”, what are you trying to say?

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jul 7, 2009 5:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Versteeg is going to be moved

That’s my opinion. Trouble is other teams recognize that the Blackhawks will be dealing from a position of weakness on this one. But that said, I do think Versteeg is as good as gone.

I’m not going to get too worked up over losing Versteeg, whether it happens now or in a few months. Nice player, nice skill set, but not indispensable. And certainly replaceable.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 6, 2009 8:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Seattle 7

I was one of the authors of the Port Huron Statement. The original Port Huron Statement. Not the compromised second draft.

by Quisp on Jul 6, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And then, let's see --

I — music business briefly. Roadie for Metallica. Speed of Sound tour. Bunch of assholes. And then, you know, a little of this, a little of that. My career’s slowed down a bit lately.

by Quisp on Jul 6, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I absolutely love the readers of this site

…and yet worried that this is the humanity I help attract.

www.secondcityhockey.com

by SamFels on Jul 7, 2009 2:00 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

have a buddy

who drivesf or Upstaging and has done a couple of their tours. From the stories he’d back you up on most of Metallica being douchebags. Especially Lars. He really hates the guys in Godsmack though.

by runningquicklynowhere on Jul 7, 2009 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody who lives a decade plus of the

money-is-no-object lifestyle will become a douchebag. But Lars really takes it to another level.

Got more soul than a sock with a hole.

by chrome on Jul 7, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

However

These are quotes from The Big Lebowski, which was referenced by M. Dirt in the original post:

“Ever heard of the Seattle seven? That was me… and 6 other guys.”

by Quisp on Jul 7, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brace yourselves

Here come Cheli and McKee to rescue our blue line.

by Return of the Roar on Jul 6, 2009 9:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL In wheelchairs?

by G8K33P3R on Jul 7, 2009 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

For VERY little cap money.

by Return of the Roar on Jul 7, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...

I was wondering who as going to be running that new bar they’re installing. If this happens, dibs on the fact that it’s going to be a chili bar, the Wings are gonna be pissed because now they’re east-side of the lake chili connection has returned home, and will cry foul for tampering, using the aforementioned chili bar as evidence that it was all set up WAAAAY in advance.

Straight from a Guinness commercial folks! BRILLIANT!

by artroland on Jul 7, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They could market a whole new line of hockey pants with Depends built right in for Cheli.

If they sign Cheli, it’ll only be so he can retire a hawk. He has no more serious quality play in him. He’d be a fill in at best, if he tried to play.

by G8K33P3R on Jul 7, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don't know...

He was out most of last year with a broken leg wasn’t he? I know how bad I get around with a broken toe, and I’m only a Technician.

Do I think there are many people that can play at 46 or 47 years old? No Fucking Way. Can Cheli? I just don’t know.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jul 7, 2009 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I remember correctly, Cheli had a broken shin. Friend of mine had that happen to him while playing soccer, said it was more painful than anything he’s ever experienced. Kind of impressive somebody that old to be back on the ice at all, however ineffectively

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Jul 7, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that it makes me a pariah on this site, but I think that Cheli could teach a lot to the fairly young players on the Hawks. I don’t believe that every player makes a good coach, however, you can not play that fucking long with out knowing what is going on out on the ice. Sentimentality has no place in a business, but the man knows how to play defence, and I can not believe that detroit just happens to have found the better defencive players in the last 7 years. Somebody has to have been helping them grow…

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Jul 7, 2009 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make him a coach, then

I don’t want to see Cheli on the ice anymore. His name doesn’t look right on a sweater without the number 7 under it, and that is Biscuit now. Let him be the defensive coach.

by russellguldin on Jul 8, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

steegs and barker

frickin eh man! To lose steegs and get squat for it. Thats like gaborik and the wild, at least the wild were able to free up cap space!!! Tallons contract year and this happens….you wouldnt see Ken Holland or Burke making a mistake like this….I hope Dale has a horsehoe up his arce and makes something happen!

by j-rub on Jul 6, 2009 9:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you would, however, see Lou Lammorielo make a mistake like this

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Jul 6, 2009 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wasn’t his mistake worse? I thought they just flat out didn’t send any offers?

Second City Hockey - Blackhawks, Beers, Beards & Blasphemy

by Matthew Dirt on Jul 7, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s my understanding, too, he forgot.

by ChicoMaki on Jul 7, 2009 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about we somehow move Brent Sopel’s obnoxious salary and make room for Verstud? Sopel won’t be on anyones list of players who put people in the seats, other than his own ass. Versteeg can be.

I know it’s too much to ask for, but one can hope. Could we maybe sell our souls to satan for some assistance? I think it’s well worth it.

by G8K33P3R on Jul 7, 2009 7:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Problem is...

I don’t think anyone is dumb enough to take Sopel and that gaudy salary off our hands. Then again, dumber things have happened.

by CraftyLefty2126 on Jul 7, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet Tampa Bay is that dumb. Plus they’ll take any and every defenseman they can get. Let’s try to get Stamkos for Sopel straight up. It could work with the clusterfuck they have going on down there.

twitter.com/kaner88

by Original Six on Jul 7, 2009 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's make a deal

Any team can have VERSTEEG! for a second and third round pick, so long as they take Sopel.

by russellguldin on Jul 7, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like Wiggum's new contract, perhaps?

by russellguldin on Jul 8, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simple solution

He’s going to have to be waived. Honestly, they’re printing money at 1901 W Madison these days, and they’re going to need to rid themselves of that cap hit, they may as well just eat it.

by McClure on Jul 7, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just when we’re set to lose Brown’s cap hit from his buyout. Ugh. Isn’t the buyout option two-thirds the salary at twice the term? That would be 1.5 million over the next four years … we’ll want to avoid that huge a buyout, wouldn’t you think? Especially with space so scarce as it is?

by ChicoMaki on Jul 7, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buyouts and waiver losses don’t count against the cap. The team still has to pay it out of pocket, but it doesn’t factor into any cap calculations. Otherwise, there would be next to no incentive to do either.

by McClure on Jul 7, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?? Buyouts don’t count against the cap?? I’m confused now. Brown’s contract still shows up on our cap hit on the sites I’m looking at. I always thought buyouts counted against the cap for that exact reason … so teams are discouraged from looking at buyouts as a viable option to get rid of albatross contracts.

by ChicoMaki on Jul 7, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From proicehockey....

Contracts can be bought out for two-thirds of the remaining value for players over the age of 26, and one-third of the remaining value for players under 26. Players who are bought out cannot return to the old team for at least one year.

Think the Hawks may be stuck with Sopels contract, maybe there is a Buff trade lurking around somewhere though…. OR maybe there is some kind of games played clause in the CBA that would allow the Hawks to rid themselves of Sopels contract.

by 329Fan on Jul 7, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buyouts do count against the cap

From NHLSCAP.com (site has references to the CBA and tables showing examples):

CONTRACT BUYOUTS

Teams were given a one-time chance to buy-out players for 2/3rds of the remaining value of the contract between July 23 and July 29, 2005 without the buy-out counting against the salary cap. In future years, teams may still buy-out player contracts for a portion of the remaining value of the contract paid over twice the remaining length of the contract. If the player is
— Under the age of 26 at the time of termination, the buyout amount is 1/3rd the remaining value
— 26 or older at the time of termination, the buyout amount is 2/3rd the remaining value.

This is set forth in 13(d) of the Standard Player Contract (Exhibit 1 in the CBA). The remainder of this explanation applies to buyouts that took place after July 29, 2005, and assumes the player was not 35 or older when signing his SPC (in which case a buyout does not reduce the cap hit).

When a player is bought out, the team still takes a cap hit for the player over twice the remaining length of the contract. The amount of the cap hit (by year) is determined as follows:

    1. Take the actual salary due for each remaining year.
    2. Take the Averaged Player Salary (cap hit) for the current contract
    3. Calculate the buy-out amount (as described above)
    4. Spread the buy-out amount evenly over twice the remaining years of the contract
    5. Take the number in #1 and subtract the number in #4. This is the "buyout savings".
    6. Take the cap hit from #2 and subtract the buyout savings from #5.

NOTE: This calculation has to be done for each year – meaning that the cap hit on a buyout will not necessarily be the same for all years (see examples below). It can even be negative (meaning the team gets a credit). However, it’s critical to have the correct information for #1 and #2 to get the correct cap hit. The cap hit on a buyout is only the same for all affected years if the remaining yearly salary is the same for all years. If it varies, then the cap hit on a buyout will vary.

by runningquicklynowhere on Jul 7, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

one interesting thing here to note regarding Hossa

if the Hawks do not buy him out prior to him turning 35, they cap hit on the buyout is not reduced. They would be hit for his full salary. So when he turns 35 in the 2013-24 season he is still scheduled to make $7.9 million that year, and the next two years. It becomes $4 million the next season, before dropping off to $1 million for the next two, and $750,000 for two years after that. That could get hairy as far as buyouts go if the say Hossa’s production drops off by around age 36. I realize this is just speculation, but it has the potential to bite them in the ass.

by runningquicklynowhere on Jul 7, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder (quietly to myself) who would sign Brent Sopel to that deal. Anyway, we have to figure something out.

by G8K33P3R on Jul 7, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dumb Luck

Sopel was the first guy to knock on Dale’s door when he was given the checkbook.

>knock knock<
DT: Come in!
BS: Hey, Dale. Who do I talk to about the smell coming from the hot tub?
DT: That’s Lou. Hey, you want a new contract?
BS: Uh, okay.

by russellguldin on Jul 7, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess you have to warm up the ol check writing form somehow.

by G8K33P3R on Jul 7, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d help, but I already sold my soul to win the 2007 draft lottery. Do you think satan would take a second mortgage on my soul?

by warrenjm2006 on Jul 7, 2009 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Phew...now I can breathe a little easier

Nice to see Barker re-sign with the Hawks for another 3 years for $9.25 million. Well deserved for late in the regular season when Campbell seemed to be struggling with his game it was Barker that seemed to take his level of play up another notch and is showing signs of a 1-round pick. It may have taken awhile but some athletes develop later than others. Barker could’ve waited until this grievance filing hearing was concluded that could have declared him as an UFA, but he didn’t so he should be commended for that. I also tip my hat to Brouwer, Eager, Fraser, and Crawford for also putting their John Hancock’s on a contract before this settlement.
Good for the players involved, good for the Blackhawks organization, and good for its long and suffering fans who couldn’t bare the embarrassment had those 5 been declared UFA’s.
Interesting to see what or if Versteeg’s signs back on with the Hawks. I hope so for it was a pleasure to witness his skill-set and his continued progression as an NHLer.
Can definitely breathe a little easier now and hope that the worst is over. Quote, un-quote ‘this hasn’t been fun, not one bit’.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Jul 7, 2009 7:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs