Tuesday, October 03, 2006

DEVILS SIGN GIONTA

And just like that Lou Lamoriello and the Devils sign Brian Gionta to a 3 year deal at $4 million per season.
So the sheet was already signed weeks ago, and Lou was just waiting for the ok on Mogilny and then the dumping of Malakhov on a team that would take him.
Now we should hear the announced signing of D Paul Martin pretty quick?

Lamoriello has finally made comments about the ordeal to the press.
"We were very fortunate with the patience and loyalty that Brian has shown," said Lamoriello. "Brian, Paul, David, Scott and Erik - they all knew the situation we were in. We were totally up front with the positives and the negatives and that we would do everything we could. We wanted them here."

"Some of them (contracts) could have been done earlier but until you know what the pool of money you have to work with, you just can't and I was honest with the players about that."

You have to admire the cunning Lamoriello. He quietly goes about his business and gets the job done.
Now, why was Mogilny's situation left until the final minute? Was that a bargaining tactic? Lou wasn't going to play Almo this season anyway.

4 Comments:

At October 3, 2006 at 3:58 p.m. , Blogger Earl Sleek said...

As I understand it (and I haven't read enough), Lou will be paying AlMo, the real question will be whether that amount will count against the cap.

And that decision (whether it counts capwise) is ultimately the league's, not Lou's. So he had to wait for the official decision before spending more money.

It wasn't a "bargaining tactic" so much as a prerequisite to signing Gionta, as until AlMo was approved as an LTI there wasn't any money available to spend.

My understanding, at least.

 
At October 3, 2006 at 4:33 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

Actually, yeah that's true, the Devils are allowed $3.5 million over the cap because they still pay Mogilny. It is tricky wording.

 
At October 3, 2006 at 4:42 p.m. , Blogger Sean Zandberg said...

But still, why would they wait until the very last minute to decide the ruling on Almo. I don't really believe that Lamoriello was questioning Mogilny's return, and that no one was certain. They knew his status long ago.

 
At October 3, 2006 at 5:11 p.m. , Blogger Temujin said...

I think he knew Almo's contract would be ruled as it was and would not count under his cap. But if he left doubt in the air, it would help his cause with Gionta.

But then again, $4 million for Gionta is a pretty high price.

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home

Waiting For Stanley was created in June 2006.