Speculation: Prospal's play and the gentleman's agreement

[pete goegan]

So many people say it's business, but nobody mentioned it's also sport. That should never be forgotten because sport is why this league is alive, not business. If people cared because of business, they would be following wall street instead of NHL.

And surely sport unwritten rules are different from business unwritten rules.

It's a sport from the fans' perspective, but it's business to the players, management, and owners.

 

[Viqsi]

So many people say it's business, but nobody mentioned it's also sport. That should never be forgotten because sport is why this league is alive, not business. If people cared because of business, they would be following wall street instead of NHL.

And surely sport unwritten rules are different from business unwritten rules.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU.

You get a cookie.

No, scratch that. You get ALL THE COOKIES.

 

[pete goegan]

That said, it sucks that the new regime didn't honor the old regime's gentlemen's agreement.

That's the problem with such agreements, they're non-transferable, non-binding, and nonsense. Even written agreement are often voided, so it's not hard to believe that a "gentlemen's agreement" might go by the wayside. Vinny will be back if JD/JK think he's the best choice for the spot. I suspect VP will appreciate that much more than being given a spot because it was promised by a fired GM. In my opinion, he has too much self-respect for that.

 

[db2011]

That's the problem with such agreements, they're non-transferable, non-binding, and nonsense. Even written agreement are often voided, so it's not hard to believe that a "gentlemen's agreement" might go by the wayside. Vinny will be back if JD/JK think he's the best choice for the spot. I suspect VP will appreciate that much more than being given a spot because it was promised by a fired GM. In my opinion, he has too much self-respect for that.

They're not nonsense, any more than the concept of a gentleman (or lady) is nonsense.

Vinny was here before JK and JD, if I were him I'd feel like I know the team/city better than the newcomers. It's his team as much as it is theirs.

 

[db2011]

It's a sport from the fans' perspective, but it's business to the players, management, and owners.

There are degrees, and I bet it's a lot less business to Vinny

 

[Roadman]

They're not nonsense, any more than the concept of a gentleman (or lady) is nonsense.

Vinny was here before JK and JD, if I were him I'd feel like I know the team/city better than the newcomers. It's his team as much as it is theirs.

John Davidson is the President of Hockey Operations and Jarmo Kekalainen is the General manager, Vinny Prospal is a hockey player. Until such time as he is appointed to either of those positions along with the responsibilities, that go with them, I find it difficult to agree.

Let's all remember when Vinny joined the Blue Jackets he was out of hockey and looking for a job. It was the Blue Jackets that revived his playing career and gave him another two years. That is not to downplay his contributions but he his 38 years old, that has to be a concern to anyone that wants/looks for continued improvements in performance for the organization.

I would quess you be hard pressed to find a Jacket fan that did not appreciate what Vinny has meant to the Club. But sometimes it is simply time to move on. Is now the time? I don't know, just glad I'm not the one that has to make that decision. The questions then are: Is Vinny still a top six player? For how long? Would you really ask/want him to play a bottom six role? Are the FA's being considered better options?

This is what the front office is paid to do. The better the team gets the tougher the job gets.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

The questions then are: Iis Vinny still a top six player? For how long? Would you relly ask/want him to p.ay a bottom six role? Are the FA's being considered better options?

This is what the front office is paid to do. The better the team gets the tougher the job gets.

I'd prefer to simplify the process by asking "Is this a player I want on my team irrespective of his role or who else might be considered for a roster spot?" In my opinion, as regards Vinny Prospal and the CBJ, the answer to that question is "Yes".

Yes indeed, that is what the FO gets paid to do. And when fans stop having opinions on what the FO does to earn its keep, I'll stop questioning the decision to not (yet anyway) retain Prospal.

 

[Roadman]

I'd prefer to simplify the process by asking "Is this a player I want on my team irrespective of his role or who else might be considered for a roster spot?" In my opinion, as regards Vinny Prospal and the CBJ, the answer to that question is "Yes".

My answer would be I'm not quite so sure, would like to have him back but would understand if he is not.

Yes indeed, that is what the FO gets paid to do. And when fans stop having opinions on what the FO does to earn its keep, I'll stop questioning the decision to not (yet anyway) retain Prospal.

Fan opinions are why we are here, and it would most improbable to think we will ALL agree on anything

 

[db2011]

John Davidson is the President of Hockey Operations and Jarmo Kekalainen is the General manager, Vinny Prospal is a hockey player. Until such time as he is appointed to either of those positions along with the responsibilities, that go with them, I find it difficult to agree.

Let's all remember when Vinny joined the Blue Jackets he was out of hockey and looking for a job. It was the Blue Jackets that revived his playing career and gave him another two years. That is not to downplay his contributions but he his 38 years old, that has to be a concern to anyone that wants/looks for continued improvements in performance for the organization.

I would quess you be hard pressed to find a Jacket fan that did not appreciate what Vinny has meant to the Club. But sometimes it is simply time to move on. Is now the time? I don't know, just glad I'm not the one that has to make that decision. The questions then are: Is Vinny still a top six player? For how long? Would you really ask/want him to play a bottom six role? Are the FA's being considered better options?

This is what the front office is paid to do. The better the team gets the tougher the job gets.

whew, thanks, I was confused

And I'm a fan, and it's my team as much as it is the FO's. It's about identification, and to me Vinny has demonstrated that he identifies with the team very much.

Is that enough? Of course not. But it's very important, especially when it accompanies top-6 skills and leadership that Vinny has also demonstrated.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I don't know why Prospal would not be a valuable contributor to the CBJ this coming season. There's no way of getting around the simple fact that he was the leading scorer on the team last season. I would think that Gaborik or one of the developing younger players will be the top CBJ scorer this season, but it's still a team which probably won't be lights out in scoring productivity and VP provides much needed firepower.

As I look at the CBJ roster, it's apparent that there are many potential weak links in the forward position. Is management content that players like Umberger, Johansen, and Comeau will play good, consistent hockey over an 82 game season? I see at least one likely complete bust among this group. Other players have had reasonable starts to their career, but are hardly established. Atkinson and Calvert have 71 career points between them compared to Prospal's 765. When injuries hit, are JK/JD content with the likes the Jenners and Drazenovics filling in?

I don't think the Jackets are near solid enough in their forward ranks to allow a player as productive as Prospal to walk. Forget about his other characteristics and the "agreement". He ranks as a top 6 forward in the current assemblage of Jackets forwards. Prospal will be getting $1.17m this season (and the following) from his buyout of a few years ago, so money should not be an issue in this case from his perspective.

I see way too many reasons to bring back Prospal and really not one good reason not to. Unless there is something that has happened which created some rift between VP and management, I'd really be disappointed in management if they just let him walk. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[DJA]

I don't know why Prospal would not be a valuable contributor to the CBJ this coming season. There's no way of getting around the simple fact that he was the leading scorer on the team last season. One would hope that isn't the case this season as some of the younger players hopefully have improved enough to supplant VP as a team leading scorer.

As I look at the CBJ roster, it's apparent that there are many weak links in the forward position. Is management content that players like Umberger, Johansen, and Comeau will play good, consistent hockey over an 82 game season? I see at least one likely complete bust among this group. Other players have had reasonable starts to their career, but are hardly established. Atkinson and Calvert have 71 career points between them compared to Prospal's 765. When injuries hit, are JK/JD content with the likes the Jenners and Drazenovics filling in?

I don't think the Jackets are near solid enough in their forward ranks to allow a player as productive as Prospal to walk. Forget about his other characteristics and the "agreement". He ranks as a top 6 forward in the current assemblage of Jackets forwards. Prospal will be getting $1.17m this season (and the following) from his buyout of a few years ago, so money should not be an issue in this case from his perspective.

I see way too many reasons to bring back Prospal and really not one good reason not to. Unless there is something that has happened which created some rift between VP and management, I'd really be disappointed in management if they just let him walk. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

I'm sure JD/JK realize the weak links, which is why they're prepared to spend $6 mil in the FA market. So the "current assemblage of forwards" isn't what you'll be seeing in training camp.

And I don't think there has to be a "rift" when it's quite clear that they want an upgrade on a 38-year-old player who may or may not have enough left in the tank to play another 82-game season.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

I'm sure JD/JK realize the weak links, which is why they're prepared to spend $6 mil in the FA market. So the "current assemblage of forwards" isn't what you'll be seeing in training camp.

And I don't think there has to be a "rift" when it's quite clear that they want an upgrade on a 38-year-old player who may or may not have enough left in the tank to play another 82-game season.

Even with the addition of a quality FA forward, I still see room for VP.

 

[FANonymous]

Fan opinions are why we are here, and it would most improbable to think we will ALL agree on anything

Neon Green and the resurrection of Boomer are things that we all can get behind!

 

[Roadman]

Neon Green and the resurrection of Boomer are things that we all can get behind!

Right!!!!!

 

[squarelaces]

I don't know why Prospal would not be a valuable contributor to the CBJ this coming season. There's no way of getting around the simple fact that he was the leading scorer on the team last season. I would think that Gaborik or one of the developing younger players will be the top CBJ scorer this season, but it's still a team which probably won't be lights out in scoring productivity and VP provides much needed firepower.

As I look at the CBJ roster, it's apparent that there are many potential weak links in the forward position. Is management content that players like Umberger, Johansen, and Comeau will play good, consistent hockey over an 82 game season? I see at least one likely complete bust among this group. Other players have had reasonable starts to their career, but are hardly established. Atkinson and Calvert have 71 career points between them compared to Prospal's 765. When injuries hit, are JK/JD content with the likes the Jenners and Drazenovics filling in?

I don't think the Jackets are near solid enough in their forward ranks to allow a player as productive as Prospal to walk. Forget about his other characteristics and the "agreement". He ranks as a top 6 forward in the current assemblage of Jackets forwards. Prospal will be getting $1.17m this season (and the following) from his buyout of a few years ago, so money should not be an issue in this case from his perspective.

I see way too many reasons to bring back Prospal and really not one good reason not to. Unless there is something that has happened which created some rift between VP and management, I'd really be disappointed in management if they just let him walk. It just doesn't make any sense to me.

Comeau is on the 4th line or scratched
Johan is a center
Umberger has a untradeable contract
Cam and Cal are fast

I suppose you may propose not trying to sign a top six winger so Vinnie can play there but JD and JK obviously don't share that sentiment.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Comeau is on the 4th line or scratched
Johan is a center
Umberger has a untradeable contract
Cam and Cal are fast

I suppose you may propose not trying to sign a top six winger so Vinnie can play there but JD and JK obviously don't share that sentiment.

No. Signing a top 6 forward is fine by me. Prospal needn't be a top 6er. He'd be fine on the 3rd line and with PP duties. VP was 3rd on the team in pts/60 minutes on the PP among forwards, so he fits, at the very least, as a 2nd unit player.

On most non budget teams, Umberger would have been an amnesty buyout this past week. As someone mentioned, this season could be Umberger's "contract year". Meaning if he doesn't get it together, then the amnesty buyout will be exercised next off season. Also, the Jackets could give Umberger the "Kaberle" treatment which Montreal did. Dman Tomas Kaberle saw extremely limited duty this past season as Montreal made an early decision that he was going to be bought out at season's end.

Ryan Johansen's pitiful lack of effort during the AHL playoffs along with his sub par production the past two seasons do not give cause for any strong degree of confidence that he'll be much this season. Players can be switched between wing and center if need be.

At the very, very least, Prospal offers legit scoring depth that cannot be purchased on the open market for anything near as cheap as he would cost.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

Vinny may not be able play 82 games but from what I'm reading about chronic shoulder subluxations it seems Horton may need a few months of rehab to recover if surgery is necessary

 

[MoeBartoli]

Comeau is on the 4th line or scratched
Johan is a center
Umberger has a untradeable contract
Cam and Cal are fast

I suppose you may propose not trying to sign a top six winger so Vinnie can play there but JD and JK obviously don't share that sentiment.

Starting with the last point, I agree that JD and JK believe more top line fire power is needed if it can be had. Have to,comment on your other points:
Comeau should be a rare scratch as he has some skills
Johan may indeed be a center - but is he going to be an NHL center?
Umberger can be traded. But an asset included or bad return must be acceptable
Cam and Cal are fast and I think pair up well with Letestu, but I suspect they will be split

 

[Skraut]

Earlier this year we had pictures of Prospal pointing at all sorts of things.

Now the only thing I want to see him point to is his signature on a contract.

 

[Fro]

http://www.theunionblue.com/2013/07/05/prospal-in-flux-brings-new-look/

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

http://www.theunionblue.com/2013/07/05/prospal-in-flux-brings-new-look/

He's slow. He's not a fourth-liner. Yadda yadda yadda.

Still wrong.

 

[pete goegan]

He's slow. He's not a fourth-liner. Yadda yadda yadda.

Still wrong.

Wrong as in incorrect, or wrong as in poor treatment?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Regardless of what happens with VinnyP and his playing career, I really hope they bring him back in some sort of role when he's done. I really think he was the start of the removal of the country club atmosphere.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Wrong as in incorrect, or wrong as in poor treatment?

Neither. Wrong as in being valid reasons not to bring him back.

 

[EspenK]

I think he is better than Foligno,Umby, and Joey right now. Problem is that they are signed and he isn't. Joey also has the potential thing going.

At the end of the day I think the conclusion of not bringing him back is correct unless they sign him for 2 mill (or whatever is left after Horton signs,assuming he does) and are willing to keep Jenner in Springfield all year.

I don't see it happening.