He's working through his agent to figure out what the best offers are. He said it's a tough market in general for goalies, and hehopes to decide in the next week.
I asked about the fact that the Komets already had Nick Boucher under contract, and he said, ``From what I've heard and seen of Nick Boucher, he's a really good guy and a really good teammate. Those are the guys you want to surround yourself with. I'd really be happy to get to know him better.''
I have no idea which way he is leaning because I'm not sure he knows right now.
Comments
Thanks, Blake. The point is that there is less money for the players, veterans get paid more than the young guys, the "extra stuff" which you call subsidary issues are equal ( so that is a wash) so there is no "make-up" in money compared to last year to entice players to take less. If you say Chaulk left because of Canlan than I believe you. You know better than I. However I know of one veteran who would've wanted to be brought back but is a victim of the vet limit and lower salary cap.
I'm sure all of them would come back if they could, but that's also life in professional athletics. Extremely few athletes get to call their shot when they want to retire at any level.
Huck almost didn't come back from his injuries last season, he contemplated retiring before end of season last year.
I'm not saying salary issues didn't play a roll in his decision, it's possible they did, but retirement was already being heavily considered by him.
I was also surprised to see Bert come back last year, I would have been amazed if he returned this next season. The sacrifice he made in the off season in order to play is commendable, it shows just how much he loves the game.
Alan, I'm not really sure that the new vet limit factored into Kevin Bertram's retirement all that much....it seems like he most likely would have hung then up this season anyway. I really liked the guy, but it seems like I recall hearing that before the end of last season anyway. He really came through in the playoffs, but he seemed like he was having a harder time coming back after his surgery last season, too. Growing older is very difficult, especially when you play such a physical sport....my husband and I were arguing that point when the NFL was whining about their little 18 game once per week schedule....playing once a week just seems so pathetic compared to what a hockey player does, in my opinion.
Oops, "hung theM up"...my bad.
Pro football players pay a tremendous price physically BLB. I've seen a few programs over the years and knew one very well.
The average career in the NFL is four years and they feel it every morning when they get up for the rest of their lives. Many of them experience severe problems as they age. It's not a picnic out there, the hits are brutal, even on the line, and especially at the NFL level. And like hockey players, many of them play in and through the pain.
Now baseball's a different story :-)
You know, I sort of phrased that wrong....they do get hit hard. But it's only one game per week. NHLers (all pro hockey levels) get that abuse several games per week. That was my point. Sorry, I was not clear on what I was trying to say. I think hockey players are tougher. And most of them are in better physical shape....I think a few of those 300 pound NFL guys could not skate up and down the ice once, much less one hundred times per night. I just think there is no comparison. But I am totally biased and will be happy to admit that right up front. ;)
"Red headed hockey chick" or "Red headed football chick"
It's apples and oranges, really. But as a woman, I have more respect for endurance athletes, like BLB said. Besides, in what other sport are players allowed -- even expected -- to get into fist fights and to refuse the recommended safety equipment (I'm talking visors)?
mightbite: hockey. 100% :)
BLB, Just an FYI. I wasn't talking about Bertram being the one who probably would've come back but got caught in the "vet" limit. I did mention Bertram earlier in one of my posts. I didn't mean to confuse anyone but looking back on it I could have made myself more clear.
Football is a good sport to get into in the pro ranks if you want to die earlier than the average Joe. Look up the stats. But BLB I know where you are coming from! In baseball you get put on the 21day disabled list for a hangnail!!!