We (HFAvs) have been speculating for some time that Mikko was being influenced by his agent. And lo and behold, this past weekend the TNT crew were talking about this very thing (if it had no credence, they’re not likely talking about it). One of the guys said at a point Mikko is in charge of his career and needs to have a face to face (like Marchand did with Sweeney). Anson Carter then made the point that it’s important to remember the agent works for you and not the other way around.
It’s important to remember that Mikko signing with the Avs in the low 12s only came out once he was traded. It’s entirely possible and likely that low 12s was a number they’d eventually agree to at the last hour. Before that it was all about signing in the 13s. Mikko might be lazy but he does have some pride. And only after being shuffled around like a hobo or a gypsy, did he shove his agent aside and say enough.
It’s interesting that he and his agent are trying to create a scenario that they were somehow victims by signing with a rival. You can see it now, can’t you? If Dallas wins a playoff round against Colorado, they’ll spin the narrative of good overcoming evil. But it’s a bunch of nonsense engineered to cover up the failures of his agent who was too pigheaded about his negotiation tactic which put his ego in front of his client only to have it backfire.