Veilleux situation may be further proof agent’s are necessary
Posted on July 17th, 2008 – 9:26 AMBy Michael Russo
Correction in bold
Good morning. Just an fyi, I’ll throw up another blog post when I find out after 11 a.m. whether Stephane Veilleux cleared waivers or was claimed. Check back.
Veilleux asked me yesterday whether I thought he’d be claimed. I told him if this was the middle of the season, there’s no doubt in my mind he’d be snatched up. However, I told him I have my doubts now because of his contract situation.
After talking to a number of people the last 24 hours, I really have my doubts now.
And quite frankly, this is why you need an agent.
Remember, Veilleux is a restricted free agent. He’s one year from unrestricted free agency. Any team that claims Veilleux would want to make sure it can sign him long-term.
Well, say you were interested in Veilleux during this 24-hour waiver period, who do you call to make sure you can sign Veilleux long-term? He has no agent! And he said no team called him directly.
And here’s the added component. Veilleux’s arbitration hearing is Monday. Each side must exchange their arbitration briefs 48 hours prior, or in this case, Saturday morning at 9.
As somebody just told me on the phone, and this quote regards a team that “100 percent would like to claim Veilleux, 100 percent likes his game and 100 percent could guarantee him a spot,” this person said, “Say I want to claim Veilleux, take him and find out we’re going to arbitration. Well then I have to start from scratch. Think the Wild’s going to give me their arbitration brief? I think the Wild knows nobody’s going to claim him because it’s 24 hours before briefs are to be exchanged.”
In other words, if Veilleux clears waivers, the Wild — as stated in today’s article — is going to tell Veilleux, “See, nobody took you. Your value is not as high as you think it is,” when that’s not entirely true.
If Veilleux goes unclaimed, it’s not because nobody wants him. It’s because he’s a year from unrestricted free agency, his arbitration brief is due to be exchanged Saturday and because there was no agent for another team to inquire about Veilleux’s wishes.
The moral of the story perhaps? Keep your agent.
Now, watch Veilleux get claimed by another team, ha.
Also, check back later and I’ll post the Wild’s schedule in its entirety.
52 Responses to "Veilleux situation may be further proof agent’s are necessary"
that makes it sound more cagey by DR than an experiment to see who was right. Interesting.
I wonder, does SRV’s former agent represent any other Wild players that, say, DR might have a big negotiation with in the near future?
That update coming when it did, ending that previous “cheerios” exchange, felt just like when the ref stops a UFC fight: It was just getting uglier and uglier, somebody had to step in.
What time is the league planning on releasing the schedule? Noon EST?
In other words, if Veilleux clears waivers, the Wild — as stated in today’s article — is going to tell Veilleux, “See, nobody took you. Your value is not as high as you think it is,” when that’s not entirely true.
SRV may have a diluted notion of what kind of contract he should get but, based on Russo’s analysis, I don’t see how this helped Wild management - classic Doug Smugborough.
bfw*: from the last, I would agree with you that DR probably doesn’t want to double SRV’s salary. I was opining as to what I’D offer him.
I don’t see how this helped Wild management
My guess is that it’s just another log on the Arbitration pyre. 
About the last post guys… SORRY…
But not really.
So is this thing going all the way to Arbitration?
W/O an agent, I gotta believe SRV crumbles and takes the Wild Boys “final” offer.
Agree?
Dang, I left a good lebowski quote hanging on the last thread.
Oh well. Thanks for the update Russo!
This is a slick situation. I hope we at least go more than 1 year with SRV.
Since they haven’t gone through the process to this point, can we assume the Wild will be raising the NW Title banner on the 11th against the Bruins?
DR: So, Tommy, how did development camp go?
TT: Fine, just fine. I think we might be able to give Kevin some players this season.
DR: If we don’t keep them all for ourselves, you mean.
TT: Amen to that. Say, how’s the Veilleux situation coming along?
DR: Funny you should mention. *pushes intercom button* Hey Tom, can you come in here a minute?
*Tom Lynn walks into the room*
TL: Hey Doug, Tom, what’s up?
DR: I just got some very encouraging news from Tommy here about development camp.
TL: Is that right? By “interesting” you don’t happen to mean…
DR:…that’s right. What is the latest from Stephane, anyway?
TL: Other than something about and affadavit from Burns about his snakes, I think I have a pretty good idea what he’s looking for.
DR: And, do we like that idea?
TL: We do not.
DR: And, since we do not, and now that we know we have some young bucks just chomping at the bit for some big league exposure…
TL:…I see where you’re going. What was the fax number for Brenda in the waiver wire department at NHL headquarters again?
Poor Steph. What a humbling experience this must be.
Burnzie, take the poor guy out for a beer, will ya?
An agent would have made no difference here. Even if the agent said SV take this offer, It is SV final decision. Just like when you bought your house your agent didnt tell you sign now sign now! But they did do some paper work and get a % of your money. As far as teams not being able to contact an agent yesterday, wouldn’t they just call SV? Finally, going through waivers doesnt devalue the player. Just cause you put your used car in the paper and get no calls, doesnt mean you sell it for less. Maybe it is a bad time, wrong paper, or wrong people calling. Maybe mother russia will come knocking.
The amount of lamenting that goes on here is simply amazing to me. Every single decision DR or the team makes is micro-managed to death by posters but without any inside knowledge of the factors involved.
There is almost no subject that will not cause someone to “cancel” their tickets and to want the rest of the fans to cancel their Wild tickets too.
It makes no sense to me.
I have said it before but it seems like some fans are not hockey fans at all, they are only fans of winning.
Just cause you put your used car in the paper and get no calls, doesnt mean you sell it for less. Maybe it is a bad time, wrong paper, or wrong people calling.
it might if there were only 690 cars on the entire market.
I have said it before but it seems like some fans are not hockey fans at all, they are only fans of winning.
I think this is accurate - as applied to the professional level of the sport.
I think it is a manifestation of the high level of hockey that we as Minnesotans are surrounded with - at all age levels. Why shell out $x per ticket to see mediocrity when I can see a great HS game for a fraction of that?
From previous:
The Red Wings are on top now but they spent plenty of years being bottom feeders too when things were not going right.
Indeed. How’d their fans respond to that, though? Just a thought.
GGGGGGS-Nice ST catch.
—-
bfw*: from the last, I would agree with you that DR probably doesn’t want to double SRV’s salary. I was opining as to what I’D offer him.
OK. Got ‘ya. 
Finally, going through waivers doesnt devalue the player.
Disagree. Most certainly will be used against him in Arbitration.
Just cause you put your used car in the paper and get no calls, doesnt mean you sell it for less. Maybe it is a bad time, wrong paper, or wrong people calling. Maybe mother russia will come knocking.
…or maybe you’re trying to sell it for too much?
NiNy
there are more than 690 cars (all those cars in production want to be bought also). Dont forget you dont have to sign in the NHL there are other very legit markets now (Russia).
put another way: I’m proud of my local HS team. I want to be entertained by my local professional team.
It’s not really any different (or less pathetic) than slobbering over which singer/actor is on crack, getting a divorce, crashes his/her car, etc. Yet, for every SI on the newsstands there seems to be 2 People magazines.
Poor SV, he once was a hockey player. Now he is a used car no one wants to buy. Someone get me a tissue.
It is still a calculated risk for DR to expose SRV to the waiver wire. With 30 teams you simply never know if somebody will decide to take a chance.
If I was DR, I would prefer their is an agent involved. It is much easier to keep discussions from getting personal.
The problem with failed negotiations when they turn personal is that they are the basis of souring attitudes when nobody wins.
SRV has given his best to the team, but the team was also patient with him when maybe there were other options.
Without an agent, when this saga is over, maybe he can’t stay here anyway.
it might if there were only 690 cars on the entire market.
pwned!
(Insert favorite pwned pic from Dude.) lol.
edubs: no, I’m saying the “market” for professional athletes is much more transparent to all potential “buyers” since it’s such a small market. They may not all know what he was asking, but you can rest assured all GMs know that Veilleux is on waivers - and why. That absolutely affects his market value.
Someone get me a tissue.
WS, based on your previous Cheerios dysfunction, I’m not so sure I want to be the one that grants you this request. Sorry, dude.
(I just threw up in my mouth a little).
Dude (and by the way, ya gotta switch back to “Dude” or “The Dude” for at least a day or two. Frickin’ hilarious. Kinda like your own personal 3rd Jersey.):
Can’t view your pix, d@mn work filter. Try again?
WS, based on your previous Cheerios dysfunction, I’m not so sure I want to be the one that grants you this request. Sorry, dude.
Ah ha ha. Geez, I try to bring a little levity to an overly muddled thread with a dirty joke and I’ll never live it down now will I? 
I am sure I will switch back to The Dude on occassion.
NiNY
We all saw how it turned out for Ray Emery. Shows late to practice, starts fights, backup goalie. GETS HUGE RAISE
edubs: if you think Emery’s happy about having to take his “show” (and I mean that literally) to Russia to get paid, then there’s nothing I can do for you.
Ice:
It is a calculated risk but don’t you think either way the Wild win but lose in the public eye. They win their argument with SRV or they open a spot for Gillies. They just lose in the way they treat their players, which has a more lasting affect.
what would I want you to “do” for me? Im just saying in terms of negotiations going down waivers doesnt hurt all that much (ask Fedoruk and his 3 MIL) It all depends on SV # which for all we know could be anywhere from reasonable to ridiculous.
Emery was bought out of a 3yr/$9M contract by Ottawa. He signed for $2M with Atlant Mytishchi of the Gulag League.
You may wish to restate your “GETS HUGE RAISE” piece.
(ask Fedoruk and his 3 MIL)
So it was going on waivers with Dallas that earned Fridge his new deal? See, because I thought it was getting picked up by us on re-entry waivers - at half his cap hit to the Wild - and the opportunity he got here that eaerned him the right to be coached by Gretzky.
It all depends on SV # which for all we know could be anywhere from reasonable to ridiculous.
This is true.
But if that number’s ridiculously high, then the Wild takes him to arbitration, he receives something between his number and Lynn’s number for one year and then he either shows up to camp ready to try to prove to the world that he is worth more, or he holds out.
Had two years at 6.75 left on the contract they owe him 2.25 after the buy out and he get 2 mil from the russian league. So he gets 4 mil for one years worth of work vs 3.375 a year for two years.
but that’s not because of a “raise”
Sunshine, I have no doubt the Wild lose in the public eye. But, at this point I question why they should?
It is the context of how this transpired, between DR and SRV. We take sides without knowing much at all.
SRV was quoted as saying “DR was nice …” wasn’t he? No public animosity. Based upon that, why should be feel emotional toward the club.
So, it is the business of running a sports team.
Every player wants more $$$. The club can’t give it in the quantities demanded or they will not be able to keep the biggest fish.
If we want a Cup here anytime soon.
What we as fans really want is for DR to spend his limited Cap funds wisely.
He will make mistakes, all GM’s do. But, the teams that overspend Cap dollars will be out of the running.
then he either shows up to camp ready to try to prove to the world that he is worth more, or he holds out.
If he’s under a one-year arbitration deal, can he actually pull a “hold out” type of move? There has to be some sort of consequence to refusing to play when under contract - like not getting paid?
I don’t see how that would benefit him.
Sunshine,
Which is a worse PR move, putting SV on waivers or signing him to a 3 year 3.6 million dollar deal?
I’d vote for the latter.
Emery cleared waivers and people thought he would be left to rot with his bad attitude and “Show” and then he signs a $2mil contract? which would have been much more than on the NHL market. He could have signed on as a backup somewhere I am guessing for a 1 mill. When you double your value to me that is a raise.
WS, based on your previous Cheerios dysfunction, I’m not so sure I want to be the one that grants you this request. Sorry, dude.
Ah ha ha. Geez, I try to bring a little levity to an overly muddled thread with a dirty joke and I’ll never live it down now will I?
Your timing was perfect! A little levity goes a long way.
(Not a huge fan of the portentous sniping that occurs here on occasion.)
Its the perception more than anything. Players might not be reading the part where SRV said DR was nice. They will just know that the Wild put him on waivers to show him his true value. Could they have done something else to get a similar result? We don’t know.
And of course, money trumps all.
Or 4.5 million over 3 years, which I’ll bet is what he wants.
Your timing was perfect! A little levity goes a long way.
That was a nice shot at me, by the way, about the tissue. I definitely LAWLed.
Rumors of three-team blockbuster
Posted: Thursday July 17, 2008 07:19AM ET
A hot rumor in NHL circles has Senators GM Bryan Murray discussing a three-way blockbuster with the Blackhawks and Kings, Sun Media has learned. While draft picks and other players might also be involved, the principals appear to be a group of five or six that include a couple of veteran goalies and some of the game’s most promising stars. According to insiders, Ottawa would trade netminder Martin Gerber and defenseman Andrej Meszaros to Los Angeles, the Kings would move 20-year-old center Anze Kopitar to Chicago and the Blackhawks would propel goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and either of young blueliners Brent Seabrook or Cam Barker to the Senators.
Chicago wins - Kopitar and salary dump. Blackhawks are going to be scary.
Emery cleared waivers and people thought he would be left to rot with his bad attitude and “Show” and then he signs a $2mil contract? which would have been much more than on the NHL market. He could have signed on as a backup somewhere I am guessing for a 1 mill. When you double your value to me that is a raise.
I assume he signed in Russia with the full intent on being the #1 goalie where he is playing.
His whole problem was that he didn’t want to split time with Gerber. He started in the Finals for God’s sake! He seems to think of himself as being a starter, end of story.
So to compare what he got paid as a starter by a fledgling league, desperate to build up some cred, to what he might have received as a back-up/1a in the NHL and say that because he got more in the former than he might have in the latter it’s a raise, is pretty thin.
If he goes over there and is a backup/1a, making his $2M then you have a point.
And the Wild won’t do nothing to trade for a good center. Sigh!!
4 mins past the witching hour…
SRV a pumpkin?
So SV cleared waivers….
What now?
Food. I think LA is stupid for moving Kopitar.
Another moral is:
If you are going to fire your agent, make sure you pick up the slack yourself
