Mackenzie to Florida

[major major]

What if he's not though, what if he turns into no faster than Michael Chaput. Then he's holding up a spot for a younger guy, and like I said, nobody would want him.

We've seen drastically worse contracts get moved. $1.3m for a 34 year old Mackenzie would not be a problem.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

We've seen drastically worse contracts get moved. $1.3m for a 34 year old Mackenzie would not be a problem.

Not without taking an equally worse contract, or taking on a longer term contract. We saw it just a few weeks ago with RJ-Hartnell

 

[EspenK]

What if he's not though, what if he turns into no faster than Michael Chaput. Then he's holding up a spot for a younger guy, and like I said, nobody would want him.

There are several ways to make it work. Cyclone explained a couple of good options.

 

[EspenK]

No, you're not. Unless the concept of buyout escapes this organization.

If the idea of swallowing about a million bucks 3 years down the road on a player who is very effective in his role right now is too harrowing for the CBJ, then some adjustment is needed in their way of thinking. Not saying that this is the case for certain, but there's a very easy way out on a $1.3 million per year deal if the player goes sour.

Also, he can be waived and sent down to the AHL for the final season. The team would save $900,000 (max amount allowed under the CBA) against the cap if he cleared waivers and had to spend the final year of his contract in the minors.

Most worthwhile players over 30 tend to get an extra year or two on their deals where they may not be as effective as they once were. It's a shame that Jarmo couldn't extend this courtesy to DMac. He deserved it.

Excellent post. You get it. I mean there must be 26 idiot GM's out there based on today. They signed guys over 30, only 2nd liners, etc for 4 & 5 year terms and fro more than 2007 levels. Will all work out? No. But nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

No, you're not. Unless the concept of buyout escapes this organization.

If the idea of swallowing about a million bucks 3 years down the road on a player who is very effective in his role right now is too harrowing for the CBJ, then some adjustment is needed in their way of thinking. Not saying that this is the case for certain, but there's a very easy way out on a $1.3 million per year deal if the player goes sour.

Also, he can be waived and sent down to the AHL for the final season. The team would save $900,000 (max amount allowed under the CBA) against the cap if he cleared waivers and had to spend the final year of his contract in the minors.

Most worthwhile players over 30 tend to get an extra year or two on their deals where they may not be as effective as they once were. It's a shame that Jarmo couldn't extend this courtesy to DMac. He deserved it.

I see what you're saying, and you make good points. But is it really worth it to swallow dead cap space on a 4th liner? I loved Dmac and I wanted him back as much as anyone, and I know the dead space wouldn't be that much, but is it really worth it for a 4th liner? Let's give D'Amigo or whoever a chance. I will miss Dmac but I understand where JK is coming from. Hope Dmac succeeds.

 

[Crede777]

What if he's not though, what if he turns into no faster than Michael Chaput. Then he's holding up a spot for a younger guy, and like I said, nobody would want him.

No, then you waive him and just pay his salary which is meager by NHL standards.

I am not even against this for chemistry reasons, what Mackenzie brought in terms of speed, ability, and grit is difficult to find. He is more like Darren Helm in that regards.

 

[stevo61]

No, then you waive him and just pay his salary which is meager by NHL standards.

I am not even against this for chemistry reasons, what Mackenzie brought in terms of speed, ability, and grit is difficult to find. He is more like Darren Helm in that regards.

And thats probably what Jarmo thought when he brought in D'Amigo. You couldn't ask for anymore then what MacKenzie brought but eventually you have to replace everyone. I think we can still make a good 4th line out of some combo of Letestu/Chaput/D'Amigo/Tropp/Boll. I think part of the problem is initial shock to it because of the type of guy and player MacKenzie is and we all got attached. I love MacKenzie, there was actually a time when he was my favorite Blue Jacket but I don't think we are going to have some big drop off losing him.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I see what you're saying, and you make good points. But is it really worth it to swallow dead cap space on a 4th liner? I loved Dmac and I wanted him back as much as anyone, and I know the dead space wouldn't be that much, but is it really worth it for a 4th liner? Let's give D'Amigo or whoever a chance. I will miss Dmac but I understand where JK is coming from. Hope Dmac succeeds.

Just a couple of more thoughts:

1) There is a decent chance that Dmac might still be effective 3 years down the line rendering the dead cap space argument moot.

2) I wouldn't categorize Dmac as any old 4th liner. He's fast and pretty hard hitting and he chips in offensively on a fairly regular bases. Excluding the lockout shortened season, Dmac has finished 9th, 7th, and 2nd on the team in points per 60 minutes 5vs5.

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_stat...+RW&f5=CBJ&f7=50-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+17+18+19+20

3) He's been a very hard working, long term (unlike Prospal who was here for only 2 years) and loyal member of the CBJ organization . Letting him go over a paltry amount of money and perhaps one year of term does not send a very good message internally and externally about how this organization values loyal soldiers. I'm sure the Johansen camp took note of this situation.

It's not the end of the world that the organization let Dmac walk. He's going to Florida. Better weather, no state income tax and a chance to play a more prominent role on another team. He's got 3 years of job security and great money coming his way and the CBJ gave him his opportunity to establish himself in the NHL at a relatively advanced age. The team will survive his loss on the ice, but I just think that he should still be a member of the team given his light salary and overall contributions to the team on and off of the ice.

 

[pete goegan]

...It's not the end of the world that the organization let Dmac walk. He's going to Florida. Better weather, no state income tax and a chance to play a more prominent role on another team. He's got 3 years of job security and great money coming his way and the CBJ gave him his opportunity to establish himself in the NHL at a relatively advanced age. The team will survive his loss on the ice, but I just think that he should still be a member of the team given his light salary and overall contributions to the team on and off of the ice.

I don't agree with everything in your post, but this part is solid.

 

[SuperGenius]

3) He's been a very hard working, long term (unlike Prospal who was here for only 2 years) and loyal member of the CBJ organization . Letting him go over a paltry amount of money and perhaps one year of term does not send a very good message internally and externally about how this organization values loyal soldiers. I'm sure the Johansen camp took note of this situation.

Holy moly man, get ahold of yourself and back away from the ledge. The retirement communities are full of players who didn't get re-signed at a certain point towards the end of the year. It's not a personal insult like you make it out to be.

For all the loyalty and "poor DMac" talk in this thread, how is it that no one questions why DMac couldn't just take a 1-2 year deal (or less money if that matters) to stay?

Not that the Malhotra situation is a comparable, but since he was mentioned - everyone seems to forget that Malhotra not coming back had a lot more to do with Malhotra than it did GMSH or the CBJ. He deluded himself into thinking he was worth top 6 salary, didn't get it, tried to get a deal and ended up signing for peanuts in late September. I love Manny, but his leaving here was more him than the CBJ.

 

[Qualls22]

Reading this thread you might of thought the way we was acting we lost RyJo.

It sucks we couldn't keep him but I'm fine with it and we have to move on. We have a lot of promising players in our system that can step in and I'm ok with that.

 

[Jackets16]

3) He's been a very hard working, long term (unlike Prospal who was here for only 2 years) and loyal member of the CBJ organization . Letting him go over a paltry amount of money and perhaps one year of term does not send a very good message internally and externally about how this organization values loyal soldiers. I'm sure the Johansen camp took note of this situation.

Is this a joke? You can't seriously believe this.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

You tell me where we will find someone like DMac. You seem to know?!

The ECHL?

 

[dnmccoy]

Im happy for him to get paid, but hate to see him go. He was one of my favs

 

[Sore Loser]

We can replace a MacKenzie. I'm a huge fan of his; have been since day 1, but to be honest, there are going to be other options to fill that role for us. Notably, Michael Chaput.

Best of luck to Derek ... he can play out his days in a beautiful part of the world and make a solid living doing it.

 

[db2011]

Was hoping this wouldn't have happened.

 

[IBleedUnionBlue]

Disappointed to see DMac leave. Really liked him. Happy for him though that he got the payday.

 

[blahblah]

We can replace a MacKenzie. I'm a huge fan of his; have been since day 1, but to be honest, there are going to be other options to fill that role for us. Notably, Michael Chaput.

You know, I'm not even remotely a Chaput fan. But whatever.

I love this "we can replace"... Yada, yada, yada. Every player is replaceable. The world goes on. The question is should we have let him walk. I'd rather have kept MacKenzie as opposed to qualifying Tropp as an example. I like Boll, but MacKenzie is quite a bit better. We're keeping Boll around because he pisses off the other teams, certainly not for his other hockey attributes. He can't kill penalties as well as MacKenzie and MacKenzie can move up the lineup in a pinch if needed.

It is what it is. I don't find this a great decision, but it doesn't matter what I think.

 

[Mayor Bee]

It's been a few hours, and I still haven't calmed down. It's okay though...if there's one thing that I'm known for, it's letting things go.

For all the loyalty and "poor DMac" talk in this thread, how is it that no one questions why DMac couldn't just take a 1-2 year deal (or less money if that matters) to stay?

Here's his entire contract history:
1999 - Drafted by Atlanta
2001 - Signed by Atlanta at the deadline to re-enter the draft
2004 - Re-signed by Atlanta to a one-year two-way contract
2005 - Re-signed by Atlanta to a one-year two-way contract
2006 - Signed by Atlanta to a one-year two-way contract AFTER weeks in UFA limbo
2007 - Signed by Columbus to a one-year two-way contract
2008 - Signed by Columbus to a two-year two-way contract
2010 - Signed by Columbus to a two-year two-way contract
2012 - Re-signed by Columbus to a two-year ONE-WAY contract

He was 31 years old when he signed a one-way contract for the first time in his life. The only three-year deal that he ever signed was in 2001, when he was 20 and it was an ELC. And at that time, he would have been single and had no family.

Not that the Malhotra situation is a comparable, but since he was mentioned - everyone seems to forget that Malhotra not coming back had a lot more to do with Malhotra than it did GMSH or the CBJ. He deluded himself into thinking he was worth top 6 salary, didn't get it, tried to get a deal and ended up signing for peanuts in late September. I love Manny, but his leaving here was more him than the CBJ.

I don't see a three-year contract as being an unreasonable desire for someone who didn't crack the NHL full-time until he was 29, who's put down roots here, and would likely have a salary that's not exactly crippling AND a skill set that's always desired in the marketplace. I can't blame him for requesting something resembling stability.

If what's been said is true, that Malhotra wanted a salary that was extreme for a third-line forward, that's one thing. But $1.3 million over three years is hardly extreme for someone like this.

 

[Mayor Bee]

The problem is that people believe that all fourth-line players are created equal.

There exists a school of thought that players are basically interchangeable, that little exists beyond the completely tangible and quantifiable.

I refer to that thinking as "statistical idiocy".

 

[SuperGenius]

Let it be clear that I'm not actually blaming the guy - I'm happy for him.

I wish it had worked out but the org has another plan. I was pissed about Prospal as well and a number of other players over the years. I'll get over it, the team will probably be fine and the sun rises tomorrow. Hard to fret over it either way. CBJ will miss some things, they may gain some things. It's up to other guys to step up and fill in the intangibles and tangibles now. Who's to say Matt Calvert isn't the next solid locker room leader to step into his shoes? Who's to say Chaput won't become a force at center ice with regular play breaking in on the fourth line?

Lotta time left to judge this one...

 

[BluejacketNut]

As has been said, the 4th line was leaned on near the end of the season,and Mac was a big part of that. Richards used them to start the game to set the tone for a reason. Of course there will be players that can fill the role, but he was a great fit here.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

If what's been said is true, that Malhotra wanted a salary that was extreme for a third-line forward, that's one thing. But $1.3 million over three years is hardly extreme for someone like this.

If there are more teams bidding with same 'seriousness' doesn't the price go up..?

It's perfectly reasonable to assume that 33-year-old is in danger of losing part of his physical game in the near future - in other sports at least that is quite evident to happen at that age and while you can still use your other skills to evade it you won't be the same player you were. No one can cheat death.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Let it be clear that I'm not actually blaming the guy - I'm happy for him.

I wish it had worked out but the org has another plan. I was pissed about Prospal as well and a number of other players over the years. I'll get over it, the team will probably be fine and the sun rises tomorrow. Hard to fret over it either way. CBJ will miss some things, they may gain some things. It's up to other guys to step up and fill in the intangibles and tangibles now. Who's to say Matt Calvert isn't the next solid locker room leader to step into his shoes? Who's to say Chaput won't become a force at center ice with regular play breaking in on the fourth line?

Lotta time left to judge this one...

Why not cross that bridge when it arrives? If Chaput or someone else were to come into camp and tear it up, that's one thing. But now he (or someone else) has the added pressure of being asked to not only acclimate himself to NHL life as a rookie, but also to replace a popular player with a versatile and valuable skill set at the same time. That's a tall order even for a precocious rookie, let alone someone who's either struggled in limited NHL duty or hasn't played in the NHL at all yet.

 

[Nanabijou]

Why not cross that bridge when it arrives? If Chaput or someone else were to come into camp and tear it up, that's one thing. But now he (or someone else) has the added pressure of being asked to not only acclimate himself to NHL life as a rookie, but also to replace a popular player with a versatile and valuable skill set at the same time. That's a tall order even for a precocious rookie, let alone someone who's either struggled in limited NHL duty or hasn't played in the NHL at all yet.

Chaput is not being gifted a position to replace Mackenzie. Right now the 4th line is likely Tropp-Letestu-Boll. All of those players have shown that they can play in the NHL and contribute as 4th line players. Letestu can slot up if need be, as Mack has done in the past. Chaput, D'Amigo, Hjalmarsson and any of the young kids will have a chance at camp to try and knock Tropp and Boll out of their spots. Seems reasonable to me.

I was well aware of Mack's contract history and was really hoping he'd snag a nice deal now, which I think he did. He's one of the good guys that has not been gifted anything in his career and worked to get everything he has. So I'm very happy for him, but I didn't want the Jackets to give him a 3-year deal and I certainly don't feel that the Jackets owed him a contract. The Jackets gave him the chance he never seemed to get with the Thrashers and he's parlayed it into a nice career.

It would have been nice to have Mack on the team next year. But, I sincerely doubt that in two years, never mind 3 years, any of us will be wishing we still had him on the team.