Did MAF turn something down?

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:34 pm

I checked the thread topics and maybe I missed it. I heard something about MAF turning down a contract....what the h-e-double hockey sticks?

Henry Hank · Post by **Henry Hank** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:37 pm

If he did it makes sense from his and his agent's standpoints. Why sign a long-term deal now when another 40+ win season boosts his value tremendously? If Fleury isn't signed to a new contract before the season, I'd expect Shero will work very hard to make it happen before next July. If he doesn't, he'll take Fleury to arbitration. He's smart enough not to let another team even have the chance to take his RFAs. That's proven in how fast he signed Whitney to his contract and his signing of Crosby a year early.

Post by **netwolf** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:48 pm

I heard Madden mention it as one of the topics at the top of a segment, but then I turned on Sirius Backspin 43 for the rest of the drive home.

If it's a legit story, it will make it's way into the papers soon enough.

Zscout · Post by **Zscout** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:09 pm

I wonder what RS would offer Fleury at this stage of his career?
I could see Fleury pushing this to arbitration next summer.

Henry Hank · Post by **Henry Hank** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:19 pm

Given that Fleury's stats throughout his first few seasons aren't all that impressive, he's not in a position to command much at this point. Now that I know the source of this, I'm not exactly treating this as gospel, but it's logical assuming the Pens have even tried to sign him this summer. Fleury's camp really has no reason to do it now unless Shero is being quite generous. This upcoming season figures to be Fleury's best yet. He's got a much better ground to negotiate on next summer. Ultimately, I see him signing a long-term deal in the $4-4.5 million range next summer.

marek · Post by **marek** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:01 pm

i see it going to arbitration next summer too... Shero realizes that he's our franchise goalie. Even if he puts up ridiculous numbers, 40-45 wins and a GA of 2.5 or lower... Brodeur-like numbers... an arbitrator would not or could not justify awarding him more $ than what the pens would be willing to sign him for. Its impossible.

The best goalie in the league, in fact maybe the best goalie in the history of the game (Brodeur) makes what?

Fleury's not even close to Marty.

But dont get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of MAF. I met him at PIT (thats the airport) when he was called up for the first time 2 seasons ago... and have bumped into him a few times since and he remembers me as the season ticket holder from San Diego. Which is Funny... he probably doesnt even know where SD is...

crzymike · Post by **crzymike** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:15 pm

About a month ago, I heard rumblings to the effect MAF wanted to get a deal done ASAP. I dont know if there is any validity to this current story but it sounds like an about face, probably by his agent's instructions.

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:29 pm

it wasn't just madden I believe it was the dude who has a show at 7:00. Can't remember his name. on 1250 after madden

tluke53 · Post by **tluke53** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:43 pm

The performance of a goalie is so hard to predict. Seems to me they can loose "it" in a heartbeat. Mr. Shero may want to see another year of growth before making a long term commitment.

EagleMorph · Post by **EagleMorph** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:45 pm

Peter wrote:
it wasn't just madden I believe it was the dude who has a show at 7:00. Can't remember his name. on 1250 after madden

Pick one, since they rotate:
Ken Laird
Chris Mack
Jim Colony
Joe Destio

Post by **netwolf** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:53 pm

Peter wrote:
it wasn't just madden I believe it was the dude who has a show at 7:00. Can't remember his name. on 1250 after madden

And that guy would have been parroting Madden's story. Lately, that timeslot is pretty much just a recap of what was discussed on earlier shows.

Like I said, I'll believe it once I see a direct quote from Shero, Fleury, or Fleury's agent. Madden, while entertaining at times and an unabashed hockey fan, does have a history of going on the air with some "interesting" things, the most recent of which was Kris Letang having a big head and not being very well liked by several of his teammates because of it.

Stoosh · Post by **Stoosh** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:12 pm

Madden, while entertaining at times and an unabashed hockey fan, does have a history of going on the air with some "interesting" things, the most recent of which was Kris Letang having a big head and not being very well liked by several of his teammates because of it.

Don't forget the one he told about how Shero secretly hates Colby Armstrong and refers to Army as "that f'ing minor leaguer."

The Letang story cracked me up a bit, mostly because by the time Madden got done telling it, he made Letang sound like the second coming of Tom Barrasso or Steve Duchesne or something (for those who don't know, Duchesne was notorious for being a locker room pain-in-the-***).

I have heard that Letang is confident bordering on cocky or almost even arrogant, but the kid's also been considered captain material on his junior and national teams. And while Madden's point was that Letang may find it tough going in the Pittsburgh locker room because he'd no longer be the alpha dog, you could say that about pretty much everyone else in that room with the exception of Crosby. Guys like Armstrong, Whitney, Staal and even Talbot and Orpik are all guys who've come up having held that "alpha dog" leadership role with their respective teams in juniors or college at one point or another, and none of them seem to have problems now deferring to the leadership of other players in the locker room.

Post by **netwolf** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:16 pm

I forgot about the Army one...

He did a 180 on the Letang thing during or shortly after rookie camp. IIRC, he said something about talking to him and not seeing any evidence of any kind of attitude problem.

mikey287 · Post by **mikey287** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:51 pm

Off the top of their head, does anyone know who Fleury's agent is? Whoever it is, he has been reasonable in the past, look at the contract he's currently on, he knows we need him...I think we'll be fine with Fleury...I'm hoping Fleury wants a DiPietro style contract, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a long, long-term deal...

crzymike · Post by **crzymike** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:52 pm

mikey287 wrote:
Off the top of their head, does anyone know who Fleury's agent is? Whoever it is, he has been reasonable in the past, look at the contract he's currently on, he knows we need him...I think we'll be fine with Fleury...I'm hoping Fleury wants a DiPietro style contract, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a long, long-term deal...

I was wondering the same thing in regards to who his agent is.

Post by **schreibdog** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:29 am

crzymike wrote:
mikey287 wrote:
Off the top of their head, does anyone know who Fleury's agent is? Whoever it is, he has been reasonable in the past, look at the contract he's currently on, he knows we need him...I think we'll be fine with Fleury...I'm hoping Fleury wants a DiPietro style contract, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a long, long-term deal...
I was wondering the same thing in regards to who his agent is.

According to a PG article in 2003, it is Allen Walsh:
"Allan Walsh, Fleury's agent, said yesterday that, while he hopes the Penguins will consider potential long-term damage on ticket sales if they send Fleury back, he will bear no grudge if they demote his client before he is eligible for the $3 million bonus."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03323/241395.stm

TheHammer24 · Post by **TheHammer24** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:07 am

marek wrote:
i see it going to arbitration next summer too... Shero realizes that he's our franchise goalie. Even if he puts up ridiculous numbers, 40-45 wins and a GA of 2.5 or lower... Brodeur-like numbers... an arbitrator would not or could not justify awarding him more $ than what the pens would be willing to sign him for. Its impossible.

The best goalie in the league, in fact maybe the best goalie in the history of the game (Brodeur) makes what?

Fleury's not even close to Marty.

But dont get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of MAF. I met him at PIT (thats the airport) when he was called up for the first time 2 seasons ago... and have bumped into him a few times since and he remembers me as the season ticket holder from San Diego. Which is Funny... he probably doesnt even know where SD is...

If Fleury puts up 40+ 2.5 .920 and the Pens win two series this year. We'll be playing 4 million minimum.

Post by **Jim** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:33 am

tluke53 wrote:
The performance of a goalie is so hard to predict. Seems to me they can loose "it" in a heartbeat. Mr. Shero may want to see another year of growth before making a long term commitment.

That would definately be the smart thing to do. I know I am in the minority here, but MAF does not instil any confidence in me at all. I feel he is often out of position. Granted, he might become the next Roy or Brodeur... but he could just as easily become the next Gerber.

ams · Post by **ams** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:57 am

I'm not sure any goalie at Fleury's age is worth a 10-year deal. Plenty of goalie's have up-and-down careers, and unless you're sure he's a Roy/Brodeur/Luongo, I wouldn't want to handcuff myself to someone for that long...

tluke53 · Post by **tluke53** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:06 am

There is something about MAF that makes him very likeable. I think this may make fans overvalue his performance. If he has another good season, I think they should commit to him long term, but I don't know about commiting to a 15 year contract. I think 5 years would be good.

Jimmy66 · Post by **Jimmy66** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:09 am

mikey287 wrote:
Off the top of their head, does anyone know who Fleury's agent is? Whoever it is, he has been reasonable in the past, look at the contract he's currently on, he knows we need him...I think we'll be fine with Fleury...I'm hoping Fleury wants a DiPietro style contract, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a long, long-term deal...

Would you sign a player to a 15 yr contract?

conforto45 · Post by **conforto45** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:12 am

marek wrote:

But dont get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of MAF. I met him at PIT (thats the airport) when he was called up for the first time 2 seasons ago... and have bumped into him a few times since and he remembers me as the season ticket holder from San Diego. Which is Funny... he probably doesnt even know where SD is...

"San Diego..... means a Whales Vagina"

Jimmy66 · Post by **Jimmy66** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:23 am

conforto45 wrote:
marek wrote:

But dont get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of MAF. I met him at PIT (thats the airport) when he was called up for the first time 2 seasons ago... and have bumped into him a few times since and he remembers me as the season ticket holder from San Diego. Which is Funny... he probably doesnt even know where SD is...
"San Diego..... means a Whales Vagina"

OMG that's funny. Nicely delivered.

bh · Post by bh » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:46 am

Jimmy66 wrote:
mikey287 wrote:
Off the top of their head, does anyone know who Fleury's agent is? Whoever it is, he has been reasonable in the past, look at the contract he's currently on, he knows we need him...I think we'll be fine with Fleury...I'm hoping Fleury wants a DiPietro style contract, I wouldn't hesitate to give him a long, long-term deal...
Would you sign a player to a 15 yr contract?

Sid and Malkin I would. I don't know about MAF. Like Jim said he doesn't always instill a lot of confidence. I think a big part of it is that he always has a piss poor defense in front of him. Sometimes he seems really "on" and other days he's really "off". another year will give us a much better indication which way he is heading.

emptyfriend · Post by **emptyfriend** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:05 pm

conforto45 wrote:
marek wrote:

But dont get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of MAF. I met him at PIT (thats the airport) when he was called up for the first time 2 seasons ago... and have bumped into him a few times since and he remembers me as the season ticket holder from San Diego. Which is Funny... he probably doesnt even know where SD is...
"San Diego..... means a Whales Vagina"

I have never met at true San Diegoin, San Diegoian, errr, San Diegun.....