Confirmed with Link: Devils re-sign Pavel Zacha (3 years, $2.25 AAV)

[None Shall Pass]

Apparently, getting $2.25M is "demanding money".

 

[Billdo]

I think the clip was pretty funny, and what they said was true. If only the rest of the podcasts by them in general wasn't so vulgar at times about women and such. Because they generally have some great stories and guests on the show

They're (Biz) is usually just doing personal stories and even those aren't "the norm".

what, about biz's stories w women? their broishness comes with the territory. i personally find all of their content hilarious. it's objectively fascinating what they're doing, like getting stuff from players no one else can

Same, they're great. Some of them are slow but I enjoy the vast majority of them.

Apparently, getting $2.25M is "demanding money".

The amount isn't the point, it's the "we'll go to the KHL unless you pay me" approach they were referring to.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Zacha may not have even had knowledge of what his agent was doing.

 

[Billdo]

Zacha may not have even had knowledge of what his agent was doing.

If that's the case then his agent needs to be fired. Like immediately fired.

 

[severian]

If that's the case then his agent needs to be fired. Like immediately fired.

Why? Once the story of Zacha to Russia broke, he got a pretty fair NHL contract in less than a day. Seems like Stefan did a pretty good job for his client, whether Zacha knew it or not.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Zacha may not have even had knowledge of what his agent was doing.

Highly unlikely (unless we soon find out Zacha is under new representation).

 

[Hisch13r]

Why? Once the story of Zacha to Russia broke, he got a pretty fair NHL contract in less than a day. Seems like Stefan did a pretty good job for his client, whether Zacha knew it or not.

That could be true or it's possible that was always the deal that was out there and when Ray didn't budge they just signed it

 

[NJDevs26]

Why? Once the story of Zacha to Russia broke, he got a pretty fair NHL contract in less than a day. Seems like Stefan did a pretty good job for his client, whether Zacha knew it or not.

I'd bet money Zacha could have signed that contract two weeks ago at least. I think a deal got done after Shero publicly swatted their trial baloon away like an annoying fly and the time was coming where he had to make a choice anyway, and Zacha didn't REALLY want to go to the KHL. Zacha had zero leverage, he isn't some irreplaceable player they couldn't do without.

 

[njdevil26]

Biz is hilarious. "Don't F with Ray Shero" is exactly right haha.

 

[njdevil26]

It's really easy to look at the players that the Devils SHOULD have drafted (Provorov, Werenski, Meier, Rantanen, DeBrusk, Brazal, Connor, Chabot, Boeser, Konecny, Beauvillier) but there are just as many players that went in that round and have not become anything of not yet.

Hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes you get the good end and sometimes you get the bad end. Teams were kicking themselves for not drafting Parise in 2003. I'm sure teams wish they jumped on Henrique, Severson, Bratt, and others.

 

[Billdo]

Why? Once the story of Zacha to Russia broke, he got a pretty fair NHL contract in less than a day. Seems like Stefan did a pretty good job for his client, whether Zacha knew it or not.

Because the agent works for the player and is a direct representative of the player. What if Shero got pissed off and said fine go, you're done here?

 

[severian]

Because the agent works for the player and is a direct representative of the player. What if Shero got pissed off and said fine go, you're done here?

But that's not what happened.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Because the agent works for the player and is a direct representative of the player. What if Shero got pissed off and said fine go, you're done here?

That's essentially what he did, in a shockingly public manner by saying IDGAF if you're here or not, which apparently sufficiently scared Team Zacha.

 

[Blackjack]

I'd bet money Zacha could have signed that contract two weeks ago at least. I think a deal got done after Shero publicly swatted their trial baloon away like an annoying fly and the time was coming where he had to make a choice anyway, and Zacha didn't REALLY want to go to the KHL. Zacha had zero leverage, he isn't some irreplaceable player they couldn't do without.

One thing I didn't realize is just how low KHL salaries are. Someone on the main boards said there's only like a dozen players making more than $1.4 million. In that context, the KHL threat seems much less scary, really almost silly.

Pool party's threat is not about money, he doesn't want to play for Edmonton anymore, and his SHL contract is just a place to play in case they refuse to trade him. I don't get the sense that Zacha ever had that issue, even when he was getting sent down.

 

[ChicksDigTheTrap]

Why? Once the story of Zacha to Russia broke, he got a pretty fair NHL contract in less than a day. Seems like Stefan did a pretty good job for his client, whether Zacha knew it or not.

I am with you. Who cares how it got signed? He ended up signing a deal that I view as fair for both sides and it is done before camp.

 

[Triumph]

One thing I didn't realize is just how low KHL salaries are. Someone on the main boards said there's only like a dozen players making more than $1.4 million. In that context, the KHL threat seems much less scary, really almost silly.

Pool party's threat is not about money, he doesn't want to play for Edmonton anymore, and his SHL contract is just a place to play in case they refuse to trade him. I don't get the sense that Zacha ever had that issue, even when he was getting sent down.

The KHL cannot pay out exorbitant salaries anymore, it appears, as they are supposed to go to an actual hard cap by the beginning of next season. I'm not sure I believe it, but the fact that almost all of the top Russian players have come over to the NHL makes me think this might be really happening. Still, I do think taxes and cost of living is far, far lower in Russia than it is in New Jersey and I could see a $1M KHL salary comparing to what he'll make here.

 

[mtnet]

Once the Rejean effbomb drops, you know play time is over

 

[Billdo]

That's essentially what he did, in a shockingly public manner by saying IDGAF if you're here or not, which apparently sufficiently scared Team Zacha.

Yup but what if Shero decided to not sign him bc of this? That's why if the agent didn't tell Zacha what he was doing he should canned. Alas it doesn't even matter at this point.

 

[Billdo]

I am with you. Who cares how it got signed? He ended up signing a deal that I view as fair for both sides and it is done before camp.

My whole thing was if Stefan did it without Zacha green lighting it that seems like a bad look IMO alas it's no big deal at this point as it's water under the bridge.

 

[Cheddabombs]

Lol I guess I just find it weird to rip Zacha when this was one of the more low key RFA cases this season. Just because one guy tweeted he was going to the KHL, which was promptly denied by their President anyway?

This was the first we heard of Zacha all summer long lmao

 

[Blackjack]

Lol I guess I just find it weird to rip Zacha when this was one of the more low key RFA cases this season. Just because one guy tweeted he was going to the KHL, which was promptly denied by their President anyway?

This was the first we heard of Zacha all summer long lmao

Yeah, I don't get it either. I mean, ripping him for not being as good as the guys drafted behind him... but he signed for less than half of what Werenski got so...

 

[MadDevil]

Did anybody actually check the validity of who reported that Zacha had signed in the KHL before running with it? For all we know it could have been Russia's version of Eklund reporting it.

And even if it was real I tend to think the offer Zacha signed was already there before this dropped. I don't think that news dropped and Ray was like "Well shit, I better up my offer or Pavel is gone!".

 

[Triumph]

Did anybody actually check the validity of who reported that Zacha had signed in the KHL before running with it? For all we know it could have been Russia's version of Eklund reporting it.

And even if it was real I tend to think the offer Zacha signed was already there before this dropped. I don't think that news dropped and Ray was like "Well ****, I better up my offer or Pavel is gone!".

Kalinins specifically said it was someone else's reporting, someone who I've never seen cited in hockey media. It's entirely possible that this got out without the agent. If you were an agent looking to leak NHL news to someone you wouldn't pick some random Russian journalist.

 

[Billdo]

Did anybody actually check the validity of who reported that Zacha had signed in the KHL before running with it? For all we know it could have been Russia's version of Eklund reporting it.

True

 

[glenwo2]

@mtnet

Liked it, but only because it is so bad.

I liked it because it was so bad, it was good.

I have a feeling we are going to hate the opening night line combos. Hopefully not, but I feel like we will see Simmonds tied to Hughes at least.

Somebody will be unhappy no matter what combinations they use.

So long as Bratt plays, i don't care.

(well I also want Jack to play, too)

Can't even imagine how many dumb things were said the last 48 hours

Did you take a look at the Hughes thread recently? lol.