I really don’t understand this “trading of rights” game that Philly pulled last year and is being talked about again.

Is there really that much uncertainty about what sort of offers would be made July 1st?  And if there is, why wouldn’t Malone or his agent wait and see what those offers are?

If I’m CBJ, I’d tell PIT “no thanks, we’ll wait”, but is there some consideration I’m not seeing?

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 06/13/08 at 02:37 PM ET

As was mentioned in an earlier post by AP on Puck-Rakers, Earl, it’s really a win-win.  If the Jackets don’t manage to sign Malone, the Penguins don’t get the draft pick or player they are seeking.  No harm, no foul, and the CBJ don’t lose anything.

Ultimately, it’s getting first crack at a player without having to worry about being outbid by other teams.  And in the event that you don’t manage to woo said player while you have their rights?  Well, no worries, you get your pick/player back that you’d offered for the opportunity to at least make a deal with the player.

It’s not like Dice-K and the Red Sox, where the Sox had to give up oodles of money just to talk to the player they wanted, and didn’t get the cash back even if they didn’t get him signed.

Posted by Michael Turner from Columbus, OH on 06/13/08 at 02:52 PM ET

Columbus may be willing to overpay Malone somewhat if he signs during the exclusive negotiating period that comes with his rights (if I remember correctly, most people thought that the Flyers overpaid for Hartnell and Timmonen after acquiring their rights from Nashville). I would see at least two rationales for this:

1.) Get Malone in the fold
2.) Show other UFAs they are serious about trying to build a winner

Once July 1 hits, however, any “high-ball” offer would be rescinded, and Malone would risk getting less.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/13/08 at 03:04 PM ET

And oh yeah, what Michael said, too.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/13/08 at 03:06 PM ET

Ultimately, it’s getting first crack at a player without having to worry about being outbid by other teams.

I suppose, but I don’t know why Malone would be interested in this.  Even if CBJ pays him handsomely, the fact that they are avoiding rival offers should probably send a message for him to wait.

Ultimately, I’m dubious if Malone will get his best offer from a team that tries to sign him early (especially this lean-UFA offseason).  Especially if they are paying some premium to PIT in the process.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 06/13/08 at 03:10 PM ET

Someone tell me if I’m wrong here; I’m really not sure. 

In summary:

My understanding is that Malone doesn’t have any choice in this ‘trading of rights’, but the teams both have something to gain.

The issue is that the Penguins have an asset they don’t want to lose for nothing on July 1st, and the CBJs want the opportunity to have exclusive time to negotiate a deal with Malone before the onslaught of offers hits his agent after the deadline passes.

It’s risky for CBJ because Malone may not be interested, but not very.  If they sign Malone, then it was worth the risk and they can console themselves with the idea that it cost them less than if they had to compete with other teams.  And if they can’t get a deal done… well, I guess the risk didn’t pay off, but they felt it was worth a shot.

Now: Do I have this right?

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 06/13/08 at 03:24 PM ET

If they sign Malone, then it was worth the risk and they can console themselves with the idea that it cost them less than if they had to compete with other teams.

It might be worth it for CBJ if they indeed pay less than what the open market would pay, but then Malone loses.  If they overpay the market, then they unnecessarily lose a draft pick.

I can’t really imagine a situation where both CBJ and Malone maximize their utility, except waiting for July 1st.

Maybe I’m just too much a game theorist.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 06/13/08 at 03:35 PM ET

I don’t know why Malone would be interested in this. 

Easy.  Money. He’s a relatively young guy, big body, coming off a big-time Finals experience.  It’s payday.

If they overpay the market, then they unnecessarily lose a draft pick.

I don’t think characterizing it as “overpaying” is really the right way to look at it from CBJ’s perspective.  Malone fits their needs quite well, actually, as a big, two-way forward with decent scoring ability and notable leadership presence, too.  That team could use more players of that caliber.  If you know you can lock a guy like that up pre-July 1, it makes sense to give up that pick and a little bit “extra” to Malone, even, considering the overpaying that is going on in the league.  I think, used properly, the trading for rights deal actually operates to restrain GM spending a bit.

Those Philly deals look pretty good in retrospect when you consider the run they had this spring, even with the injury to Timmonen…

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 06/13/08 at 04:11 PM ET

He’s a relatively young guy, big body, coming off a big-time Finals experience.  It’s payday.

Yeah, but I’m pretty sure Malone’s getting paid whether he signs with CBJ pre-July or not.  If he’s likely to get paid more on July 1st, what’s his rush to sign?

Those Philly deals look pretty good in retrospect when you consider the run they had this spring, even with the injury to Timmonen…

They’d look pretty good if they signed there July 1st, also.  And Philly would be better off with additional assets.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 06/13/08 at 04:16 PM ET

I’d rather have malone and some left-over cap space then hossa

Posted by callmedrw on 06/13/08 at 05:20 PM ET

Well, if anyone’s interested, I threw together a bit of discussion on the topic at BoC.  Feel free to point out my errors.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 06/13/08 at 06:15 PM ET

Ryan Malone on a line with Rick Nash.

You bastards.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, Nevada on 06/13/08 at 06:54 PM ET

Ryan Malone on a line with Rick Nash.

You bastards.

You knew it was only a matter of time until they got somebody to play with Nash.  Might be one of the biggest needs the team has.

If Pittsburgh can actually manage to keep Hossa, and Malkin, that would be huge for them.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/13/08 at 07:05 PM ET

Two things, ‘Roques:

1) Pens filed for arbitration with Marc Andre-Fleury.  If they lose Fleury, they may have the money to re-sign Malone and Ty Conklin will be their starter.
2) Malone may wilt in CBJ under Hitchcock’s demanding, by-the-numbers defensive style.  If Hitchcock ever gets bright-eyed about letting real creativity take over in the Jackets’ offensive game, THEN I think the Jackets may actually surpass the Blues as our Number One contender to the Central Division title.

Of course, I’m the same guy who thinks the Wings should’ve gotten Hal Gill from the Leafs and the Wings brass went and got someone better:  Brad Stuart so what the hell do I know?

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/13/08 at 07:15 PM ET

Ryan Malone on a line with Rick Nash.

If Pittsburgh can actually manage to keep Hossa, and Malkin, that would be huge for them.

He’d have to change positions...considering they’re both left wings...

Posted by Bethany on 06/13/08 at 07:32 PM ET

Maybe, I’m just kidding because somewhere else it said he was a center...can he play both?  I very rarely watch the Pens…

Posted by Bethany on 06/13/08 at 07:33 PM ET

1) Pens filed for arbitration with Marc Andre-Fleury.  If they lose Fleury, they may have the money to re-sign Malone and Ty Conklin will be their starter.

My guess is that is a preventive measure to forestall an offer sheet.  The Rangers did the same thing last year with Lundqvist, I believe.  Anti-poaching measures.

2) Malone may wilt in CBJ under Hitchcock’s demanding, by-the-numbers defensive style.  If Hitchcock ever gets bright-eyed about letting real creativity take over in the Jackets’ offensive game, THEN I think the Jackets may actually surpass the Blues as our Number One contender to the Central Division title.

This is true.  Fedorov felt suffocated under Hitchcock and loved the style played in Washington when he was traded - which surprises me not at all.  Still, Malone comes from a hockey family, doesn’t he?  He might be better able to deal with a tough coach than some other players - and defense is such a matter of hard work, so he might be fine.

Of course, I’m the same guy who thinks the Wings should’ve gotten Hal Gill from the Leafs and the Wings brass went and got someone better:  Brad Stuart so what the hell do I know?

Don’t take this the wrong way, SYF, but were you on crack at the time? 

@ Bethany:
Malkin usually played on the second line and Hossa played on the first with Crosby, so I was just musing that if they could keep both it would give them some solid offensive depth going forward.  Two lines are a lot harder to shut down than one, no matter how good it is.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/13/08 at 08:15 PM ET

I’d rather have malone and some left-over cap space then hossa

I wouldn’t go quite that far but, yes, Malone is a championship player; i.e. you need guys like him. If the Wings didn’t already have a full roster and enough depth to make spots competitive, I would be lobbying for Malone as well.

Good luck to you Ryan. Don’t get low-balled but choose winning over money.

Posted by Osrt on 06/14/08 at 02:18 AM ET

Baroque wrote:
Don’t take this the wrong way, SYF, but were you on crack at the time?

I was anticipating playing the Schmucks in the WCFs so I thought the Wings could use some very large defensemen to haul Bertuzzi’s ass all over the Joe.

As far as the crack joke goes, I am deeply offended.  That was so ten minutes ago.

Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Beer’s where it’s at, yo.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 06/14/08 at 09:47 AM ET