Saturday, July 4
Neil Parker
2015-07-04
Paydays for Ryan O’Reilly and Brandon Saad, Hot Dogs, and did anyone top Edmonton?
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The biggest news Friday was the long-term, big-money contracts signed by Ryan O’Reilly and Brandon Saad.
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O’Reilly’s deal is super interesting, and to be honest, I don’t fully understand it. His salary is $1 million per season with the rest of the money being paid as bonuses to avoid high escrow payments, and make the deal essentially buyout proof.
It is a ridiculously hefty cap hit, and it would seem inevitable O’Reilly will fail to live up to the deal, at least statistically.
However, what if he becomes the captain and best two-way player on the roster, and the Sabres are perennial Eastern Conference heavyweights, is it insane money then?
Remember, O’Reilly is just entering his prime, and in a best-care scenario he turns into a Patric Bergeron type, if he isn’t close already. He isn’t too old to mesh with the youth movement in Buffalo, and at 24, he already has six seasons and 427 games in the league.
Obviously, Jack Eichel is the face of the franchise, but with a slight step forward offensively, O’Reilly could play a mean tune as the second fiddler.
Sticking with the July 4 theme, you know with the hot dogs and all, Kessel isn’t leaving Toronto quietly. At least, folks aren’t quiet about his departure.
Here is a quartet of worthy reads:
Leafs were sick and tired of Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel is Too Good for All of Us
Is the Kessel Hot Dog Story Real?
Attempting to make sense of the Phil Kessel Trade
As a Leafs fan, I’m happy to see the rebuild in full effect. Am I thrilled with the return Kessel brought?
Not really, but I’m not as disappointed as most. At least, I don’t think I am.
Kessel will be past his prime when the Leafs are going to be ready for contention. I am expecting north of 40 goals and potentially a point per game in 2015-16, but that is with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It was disastrous last season, and given Toronto’s inclined path, there is no certainty Kessel bounced back enough to prove he was still an elite scorer had he not been dealt. He may already be past his prime, too. Plus, I’m not convinced he doesn’t have a career path similar to Vincent Lecavalier.
I’m absolutely ecstatic to watch Kessel play in Pittsburgh. I don’t think it is out of the question to consider him at the end of Round 1 in seasonal leagues, either. He is going to fill the net, and he is a capable set-up man, too.
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Joel Ward signed with the San Jose Sharks Friday. During the 2013-14 season, Ward scored 24 times and posted 49 points. Counting on 30 total points could be asking too much this year. Plus, Ward doesn’t tip the scales in penalty minutes or shots.
Potentially, he lands in the top six, but until that is a certain and not just speculation, let someone else roster Ward.
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Dmitrij Jaskin re-signed with the St. Louis Blues, and his prospects improved with T.J. Oshie relocating. Still, he is going to play in the bottom six, and he hasn’t shown anything to this stage to suggest he’ll receive the minutes and opportunities to have a fantasy impact in the majority of leagues.
I’m the lone disbeliever, though.
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I like Shawn Matthias as much as any player remaining in free agency. Not in fantasy term, just as a solid player. With the right team, he becomes the eighth or ninth forward who makes a huge difference in stabilizing their third line.
It’ll be interesting to see where he lands and for what.
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Is there any debate the Edmonton Oilers improved their team more than any other club since the end of the season?
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