Couture deal with Sharks could set bar for Marchand, Bruins
Logan Couture’s loyalty to the Sharks, along with maybe a little uncertainty over what the next collective bargaining agreement will look like, have inspired him to sign a two-year extension with San Jose.
The club officially announced the deal today, which it was later revealed will pay the 22-year-old center $2.75 million in 2012-13 and $3 million the year after. Couture, a former ninth overall pick (2007), will make around $1.25 million this season and would have been eligible for restricted free agency next summer under the current CBA (which expires next fall).
So here we have Couture, who plays the ever-important center position and last season was the runner-up for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year after he put up 32-24-56 totals in his first NHL season. And in Boston we have winger Brad Marchand, who is a restricted free agent at 23 years old and coming off a regular season that featured 21-20-41 totals before an amazing 11-goal playoffs.
Earlier this summer, Teddy Purcell re-signed with Tampa Bay for two years at a cap hit of around $2.3 million per season. The 25-year-old RFA put up 17-34-51 totals in his first full NHL season. If Purcell set the low bar for Marchand’s new deal with the Bruins, Couture has seemingly set the high bar. Sure, it’s always a little different when a guy signs an extension vs. re-signs as a RFA. But it’s difficult to make an argument that based on stats, potential and importance to his team that Marchand should make more or even as much as a player like Couture.
Rich – I can appreciate your opinion on my ‘do it again’ contract, but its just as silly to give a guy a long-term contract based on one season. Your idea of giving him $2.75 or $3 is just as silly since he must be asking for something more, and the fact that no one has any clue as to whether he can seriously repeat. He had a great season – he scored 20, but he’s not much of a finisher in my opinion. I want to see him do it again before the Bs have their own version of Versteeg stuck on the books, and I think that comparison is better than ANY of the others that have been discussed.
There’s no way he signs a 1 year, $2.25 million contract. Nor should he. There’s no way he’s not worth more than Purcell. This “do it again” stuff is just silly. If he “does it again” he’ll be due for $4 million. Which the Bs can’t/won’t pay. The whole reason teams sign players based on future potential rather than past production is to get players under contract at bargain rates. Give Marchand a multi-year contract, which he has earned on past performance, and make it for the $2.75-$3 million his future potential justifies.
I no longer question the logic surrounding events in Toronto. I just sit back and laugh, kind of like with this year’s crop of American presidential hopefuls.
Very strange trade. For a team in the middle of a rebuild, how do you trade away 2 first round picks and keep your job?
RD,
You never know with Burke: He’s always happy to get rid of a high draft pick it seems.
I agree John. I don’t think the Bruins would trade him for that either. I’m just saying the Bruins don’t have the leverage to trade him away for good value.
If they put an offer out there for a high 1st rounder, I don’t think anyone will bite.
RD, why would the Bruins trade him for a 2nd round pick, when that is approx. what the comp would be for him signing an offer sheet elsewhere? Might as well keep negotiating and try to get the best deal for the club.
Marchand is good but not the same pedigree as Kessel. He will not get 2 1st rounders like Kessel did. Maybe a 2nd rounder since everyone knows the Bs are having issues with the guy signing.
id do 4 for 12 mil. done. overpaid next year but a steal thereafter
great comment other nifty! Tell him Edmonton’s on the other line!
the other nifty
I agree with your comments. If he wants to be the second coming of Phil Kessel, trade his fanny and get high draft picks. Islanders would be a good option, but there are others. As well, the names you mentioned would love to have a chance at wearing the spoked B.
The Couture deal looks it should be the framework of a Marchand deal.
Tell him you’ve got the Islanders on speed dial.
you’re starting to piss me off, marchand.
I’m sure Knight,Caron,Sauve,Spooner and others are hoping he’s not at camp. Maybe one of the 19 yr olds will get nine games.
As much as I like Marchand, if he pulls a Kessel move him in a trade. This team is better off without me-first players.
I read an article on PRO SPORTS Daily that the B’s offered two years at $5mil. and Arnott is asking, four years at $3mil./year.
Seems like Arnott is pricing Marchand out of the salary and term range compared to the Purcell and Couture deals.
His day with the cup is this Monday here in Halifax and it is looking very much like we will be experiencing the last throws of a hurricane…Brad should take that as an omen to not piss off the Bruins gods and get this deal done. And I he will have clear skies for his parade.
Marchand should play nice. Sign a one-year for 2 – 2.25 with the understanding that this one-year contract is a ‘do it again’ deal. If he does ‘do-it-again’ then we can talk about 3-4 year deals nearing $3.
Just sign already. Trust me, little fella – you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of this fan-base!