Confirmed with Link: Prout inks 2 year extension

[SuperGenius]

If this team wants to improve, we need better play from Bobrovksy, Johnson, Savard, Foligno, and Dubinsky along with Murray, Jones, and Wennberg to take the next step. Hartnell, Saad, Jenner and Atkinson have been fine.

Barring our "good" players being better and our "young" players taking the next step, this team isn't going to improve.

 

[Viqsi]

No defenseman signed to an ELC would be even close to as good as Prout.

I'm not even a big fan of his but this is not a bad deal for a #5/6 guy.

Pretty close to this (and I think this is the first time I've ever even partially agreed with MFRONE on anything ). I'd be much more annoyed if we didn't already know the cap was going to stay the same or go up; if it still stood a chance of going down, I'd call this an unacceptable risk. But with how Paliotta played when called up (read: miserably poor) and Falk not doing any better, this looks to me like a "devil you know" approach. Instead of getting a vet who might not mix in well, keep him for as low as you can get him to sign for and see if he keeps improving. At best, he stays an okay #6 or even becomes good enough to carry that bottom pairing. At worst, we have a low-cost #7D.

I'm not sure if it's a move I'd make, but it at least makes some small amount of sense - which, given my ongoing frustrations with Kekalainen, is pretty encouraging.

 

[WannabeFinn]

No defenseman signed to an ELC would be even close to as good as Prout.

I'm not even a big fan of his but this is not a bad deal for a #5/6 guy.

Lol you're kidding right

 

[EDM]

This certainly suggests the FO is not very ompressed with our D prospects playing with LEM.

 

[CBJx614]

I don't see what the problem is really. I don't like the guy per se but he's been playing better and I think there's still hope that a guy like Torts can teach him how to use his size effectively, not just for fighting.

It also keeps defensive depth until guys like Heatherington, Werenski and maybe someone like Paliotta or Kukan can force their way into the lineup..

 

[CBJx614]

This certainly suggests the FO is not very ompressed with our D prospects playing with LEM.

Kukan is finally getting called up because Tyutin is banged up. And if I remember right Kukan has been injured so hopefully he makes the most of it.

 

[joshjoshjosh]

Gimme Shelter(-ed minutes)

Prout gets used like the liability he is and has still spent the majority of the season well below 50%

He is a very un-good player at the organization's weakest position. I don't have a problem with the signing because the roster is a numbers game. But if he's the 7th D-Man or higher on opening night next year, just walk away.

 

[The Wheelchair]

I hate this. I don't care about the money, or that the deal is technically fair if you look at the salaries and that he might be fine as a third-pair defenseman. I hate locking in on one option at the bottom of the roster. Same principle applies to the Clarkson/Boll/Campbell deals. It robs the team of flexibility. Now, if Prout sucks like he did at the start of this year, it's a lot harder to cut him than it is to just send down Heatherington/Kukan/Paliotta/Yevenko/Werenski.

Roster churn is a good thing. Making guys compete for their spots is a good thing. Locking up your no. 6 defenseman kneecaps you from a flexibility standpoint. If it's a choice between the devil you know and the six or eight devils you don't, and you're in last place with the devil you know, you should, ten times out of ten, bet on the devils you don't know.

The only way this move shows a good sense of roster construction is if the FO, for whatever reason, thinks Prout is capable of playing at a much higher level than he has in the past. If they're paying him third-pair money because they want him to be a third-pair guy, it sucks.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

He's not much worse than other CBJ dman over the past three years in terms of goals against per 60 minutes. His ozone starts match up with the others as well.

http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/rat...2000&teamid=8&type=goals&sort=A60&sortdir=ASC

When a roster has Clarkson, Foligno, Tyutin and Bob on it at big bucks and term, bargain bin players are going to be part of the landscape.

In Jarmo I trust.

 

[major major]

Agree with this. It would appear many posters made up their minds about him before he came back and started playing well. I wonder sometimes if people remember that these guys are human and have ups and downs - it's not like players are defined by their ratings and constantly perform at that level like a video game.

One of the deficiencies of the CBJ is their lack of 'weighty' players, and Prout brings that. Plenty of the players are physical and some are big guys, but few combine the two Can't see a problem here. As DJ says, who's going to take that spot? Heatherington is probably the next best thing and he's not ready.

Actually the Jackets are one of the heavier teams. Lots of hitters, lots of muscle, several guys who can toss the mitts. No idea what team you're following.

You don't need to replace Prout with a prospect. There are 40 or so journeyman D who are better (and many now cheaper) than Prout.

I have indeed made up my mind about Prout, no doubt. I've seen his ups and downs for years. I'm just not that interested in a D man who plays okay when the team is hot and then bombs it the rest of the time. No sense in praising a guy for smooth sailing after the rough seas have passed. He sank the ****ing ship six months ago.

 

[major major]

If this team wants to improve, we need better play from Bobrovksy, Johnson, Savard, Foligno, and Dubinsky along with Murray, Jones, and Wennberg to take the next step. Hartnell, Saad, Jenner and Atkinson have been fine.
.

I'm surprised folks think Dubi is not fine. I think he's playing great, better than Saad and Hartnell in my view.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

Really? Johnson, Jenner, Foligno, Dubinsky, Hartnell, Boll, Savard aren't weighty in your mind? I think the problem is almost the exact opposite-too many weighty players.

They are middle-weights. Clarkson and Prout are the kings of the rink.

 

[Dr. Fire]

Everyone here knows what I think of Prout.

One of the knocks on Prout pre-Torts was that he was not using his big frame. Since Torts has been here he does seem to be hitting more, and trying to move guys out of the crease more. I will give him that.

But, I don't know how you coach a guy to not make mindless, stupid turn-overs and that is what I have hated about Prout. The guy costs us games.

If Torts can figure out how to get this guy to be smarter with the puck, then great. If not, this is terrible.

 

[BluejacketNut]

His biggest asset is that he can be an enforcer and actually be serviceable, unlike Boll who is completely worthless as a hockey player. But for $1.9m next year?? I guess we needed a reminder at how bad of a contract manager JK is, or did we? Not really

 

[EspenK]

I understand you, and I can even agree with you somewhat. I can't really explain it. All of those guys are 'big' guys, but not all of them play a physical game. If that entire group played like Jenner and Dubinsky, the CBJ would really be punishing people. Hartnell is a disturber and a skilled one at that, but physical is not a word I would use to describe his game. He definitely likes the tough areas, but he's not knocking the puck off someone in the corner all that often. Boll hits the glass more than people - and frankly, Prout at F is probably favorable to Boll at this point. (and I think Boll really made a huge effort to be better this year and it does show at times - but he's just awful a lot of the time)

I was mainly referring to the back end. They look soft to me. It could just be scheme, being out of it, whatever, or the fact they were shell shocked from the first 20 games more than physical ability. Still, I like how Prout fits and believe he brings a physical aspect to the game every game. Savard and to a lesser degree Johnson seem like they need to have a certain level of engagement in a game before they get too physical. Murray and Jones are just young men at this point and need to grow into their bodies and learn

Good points. They are not as weighty as some but more than the soft teams. Another area where they are in between.

 

[Xoggz22]

So for those that don't mind this deal and think he's worth a NHL roster spot... Where does the improvement come from? Let's see what we have signed for next year (I'm going to include Jones because there is no chance he isn't on this team next year) and their term/status after contract expires:

Murray(2 yr, RFA) - Jones (unknown - my money on a bridge deal)
Johnson (2 yr, UFA) - Savard (5 yr, UFA)
Tyutin (2 yr, UFA) - Prout (2 yr, UFA)
Goloubef (1 yr, UFA)

That's our current top 7 d-men heading into the off season. The addition of Jones is huge as is the improvement we've seen from Murray. That allows Savard and JJ to play a more suitable role and a trainwreck 5-7.

There are questions about our Cap situation and while I am not as concerned as others I'll assume the CBJ wants to move a contract or two. Hartnell and Tyutin are the most bandied about names but both will be extremely difficult to move. Throw in questions regarding expansion and who may or may not need protected and this would get silly. I'll avoid that at this time.

So who "can" we move? Well, JJ has contract and term and probably good value. I thought he was playing fairly well this year. Certainly a top 4 and probably slotted in an ideal position now. I don't see moving him for an upgrade (maybe that's short sighted). It's unlikely they move Savard (another big contract with term). Murray? Jones? Going no where. Goloubef? What's the point.

So at this point JJ seems our only realistic option to "move". Tyutin is a buyout option - which we know this team would like to avoid like the plague if possible - and that's the best option right now.

So we want to upgrade the defense and just added a 2 year deal for a bottom pair d-man (not in my opinion but I'm not in the FO) that offers little upside. We have a near impossible aging vet (Tyutin) that has clearly slowed to a point of being a 6/7. We have a mobile, less than physical guy (Goloubef) that can't beat out Tyutin and Prout. That's an awful, awful bottom of the roster defense pool.

I like our potential in the top 4 but good teams have 3 D-pairs that can contribute. Tyutin, Prout and Goloubef have had some moments but they are few and far between and Prout is the most inconsistent game to game AND in-game player in the group. That bottom three is a nightmare and while Goloubef can simply be put on waivers, it doesn't necessarily mean the "replacement" plays over Tyutin and Prout.

Someone mentioned Werenski returning to Michigan next year. I've seen nothing that would indicate that is likely. Seems more likely that he wants to move on and up. Maybe he isn't ready for big minutes in the NHL but watching him in games he is far better than our current bottom three (granted no proof of that in the NHL so that might not be a fair statement - he could crumble at the higher level).

I guess I'm just grouchy this morning. I see no value to this signing. Heatherington has taken major steps forward, Kukan (who we get to see today) has impressed with his adjustment in the AHL and shows promise, Paliotta was a trainwreck in his 7 minutes with the CBJ so maybe he's not on the radar like we had hoped. There is still talent in the cupboard and who knows what happens with the draft and Werenski.

I recognize this isn't a killer with regards to money and term in a vacuum but I don't see any way this offers the CBJ a chance to improve the on-ice product. He did not need to be signed now. The same deal would have worked in the off season or before camp. I am not a Prout fan. Haven't been since his first camp. I'm jaded but know I'm not alone with questioning this signing. I just don't get it. And a raise?

Awful! /rant over

 

[Xoggz22]

His biggest asset is that he can be an enforcer and actually be serviceable, unlike Boll who is completely worthless as a hockey player. But for $1.9m next year?? I guess we needed a reminder at how bad of a contract manager JK is, or did we? Not really

So while he's in the box after enforcing, we run short on defensemen on the ice pushing up game time. Someone to "police" the ice is fine by me but keep that with a 4th line forward that wouldn't see time regardless. Boll might play 8-10 min a night, the third D pair is expected to be in the 15 min range or higher if competent.

I don't want a defenseman handling the tough guy crap. Play hard in all three zones, make people pay and don't make mistakes! That's what I want from Prout. Haven't seen it beyond his first 27 games in his rookie year.

 

[CarolinaBlueJacket]

The only thing that could have made this deal funnier is a NTC

 

[Dr. Fire]

So while he's in the box after enforcing, we run short on defensemen on the ice pushing up game time. Someone to "police" the ice is fine by me but keep that with a 4th line forward that wouldn't see time regardless. Boll might play 8-10 min a night, the third D pair is expected to be in the 15 min range or higher if competent.

I don't want a defenseman handling the tough guy crap. Play hard in all three zones, make people pay and don't make mistakes! That's what I want from Prout. Haven't seen it beyond his first 27 games in his rookie year.

Preach it my friend!!

I have been saying this till I am blue in the face, D-MEN ARE NOT TO BE ENFORCERS!!! The time in the box is one issue, and the other is you don't want your D-men getting hurt trading punches with some fourth line scrub. You don't re-sign a horrible D-man solely because the guy can fight. It makes no sense, none at all.

People need to get that crap out of their heads.

On your other post I agree with your observations on Golo, but in regards to him, he is still young, and I am giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point. He probably could have used more time in Cleveland, but our D situation is what it is and he had to come up. Hopefully he still has some up-side to give and will become a decent 5-6 guy.

 

[EspenK]

He's not much worse than other CBJ dman over the past three years in terms of goals against per 60 minutes. His ozone starts match up with the others as well.

http://stats.hockeyanalysis.com/rat...2000&teamid=8&type=goals&sort=A60&sortdir=ASC

When a roster has Clarkson, Foligno, Tyutin and Bob on it at big bucks and term, bargain bin players are going to be part of the landscape.

In Jarmo I trust.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Xoggz22]

On your other post I agree with your observations on Golo, but in regards to him, he is still young, and I am giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point. He probably could have used more time in Cleveland, but our D situation is what it is and he had to come up. Hopefully he still has some up-side to give and will become a decent 5-6 guy.

I'm a Golo fan but he isn't young any more. He's 26. Not old but I don't think significant change to his game would be expected. I am more comfortable with his skill set than others but he's had multiple coaches not provide him with a spot in the top 6 without injury impact. Something not seen by the normal fan. Obviously the same is true with Prout. I don't see the fascination but clearly someone does.

 

[Dr. Fire]

I'm a Golo fan but he isn't young any more. He's 26. Not old but I don't think significant change to his game would be expected. I am more comfortable with his skill set than others but he's had multiple coaches not provide him with a spot in the top 6 without injury impact. Something not seen by the normal fan. Obviously the same is true with Prout. I don't see the fascination but clearly someone does.

Damn, I was thinking he was around 24. Well, I still give him one more season to improve. I think he can at least be a solid 7, and hopefully a solid regular 5-6.

 

[DarkandStormy]

No other team is paying their 6/7 Dmen this much money. Period.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

On your other post I agree with your observations on Golo, but in regards to him, he is still young, and I am giving him the benefit of the doubt at this point. He probably could have used more time in Cleveland, but our D situation is what it is and he had to come up. Hopefully he still has some up-side to give and will become a decent 5-6 guy.

Cody is 26. He'll be 27 six weeks into next season. He's basically the same age as Atkinson.

 

[JacketsDavid]

I don't mind the first year - $1.25M seems about right.
But $1.9M the second year? Man that seems high.

I would have been good with 2 years $2.6M total.

But now the follow-up - do the CBJ suspect Werenerski won't be here next year?