Thrashers sign Holik!

[scorpionn]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20050802_122646_4724

Sportsnet.ca -- One of the league's best two-way players is heading to Atlanta.

Sportsnet has learned that free-agent centre Bobby Holik has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Thrashers. Holik will earn $4.25 million in the first year of the three-year deal.

In 2003-04, Holik scored 25 goals and 31 assists for the New York Rangers.

More to follow...

Looks like the small market teams are making a splash.

[TimmyTabasco]

Wow, overpaid again :thumb:

[Bob burns]

How does Holik continue to get such good deals? Is he really worth that, I never thought so. Not even close...

[leaferfan87]

How does Holik continue to get such good deals? Is he really worth that, I never thought so. Not even close...

He's not, but I guess were starting to see the smaller markets being able to compete more with the big guns.

[Max Power]

Wow, overpaid again :thumb:

Yup
That's just crazy
Now you have these stupid small market clubs raising the bar too. If holik is worth 4.5 million then players like Hossa or Naslund are worth 7 in this new era :conspire:

[PDO]

Holik shouldn't of gone for more than 3.. he's a good second line center and THAT'S IT.

[Mel]

Holik shouldn't of gone for more than 3.. he's a good second line center and THAT'S IT.

He does stand out because of his size though, he is big and he plays big. He can be a real punisher, and he can also put the puck in the net and play defensively.

I could see a team like Atlanta coveting Holik. They simply didn't have that kind of size and grit up the middle, and now they do. I think it's a good fit.

As far as how much they paid him? Well you can't really say he's over-paid any more. It varies by what a team feels they need and how much cap room they have to play with.

An agent can no longer demand that since Holik is a career 20 goal scorer and my client is a career 30 goal scorer... my client is worth 6 or 7 million. Agents playing that game will "price" their clients right out of a job. This is exactly what the league needed to control salaries.

As for you guys wondering about Holik's worth... as far as money I have no idea... but I did watch him on a daily basis his last year on the Rangers. I can tell you that guy plays with heart and leaves it on the ice every night. He's got a winner's attitude, which is why I was kind of bummed he got bought out. If there's one guy you could NOT blame for the Rangers miserable season that they got dismantled, it's Holik.

[KB in Kelowna]

If I recall correctly, the big money contract Holik got from the Rangers was the result of a bidding war by certain gm's. He was a coveted two way center and an important part of the Deviils success in the 90's. His contract was a result of a market place gone insane, not his or his agent setting a price.

A good pick up for Atlanta, perhaps Kovalchuck will learn to play in his own end as well.

[MadDevil]

If I recall correctly, the big money contract Holik got from the Rangers was the result of a bidding war by certain gm's. He was a coveted two way center and an important part of the Deviils success in the 90's. His contract was a result of a market place gone insane, not his or his agent setting a price.


If I remember correctly, the Devils offered Holik $8 million a year, so even they got sucked in by the bidding war. I'm glad he went to the Rangers instead though, otherwise they would have no chance at signing Niedermayer or Rafalski. Like Mel said, Holik leaves it all out on the ice, and is a good leader for a young team. I wouldn't pay him over $4 million a year, but then the Devils already have Madden, so they don't need Holik anyway.

[Mel]

If I recall correctly, the big money contract Holik got from the Rangers was the result of a bidding war by certain gm's. He was a coveted two way center and an important part of the Deviils success in the 90's. His contract was a result of a market place gone insane, not his or his agent setting a price.

Absolutely, that's what happened. Holik's contract was the result of a bidding war on the open market place. The Rangers caught a bad rap, simply for having enough money to be the last team standing.

What I was referring to was someone earlier in the thread, who mentioned that Holik's contract will now have an impact on more "talented" player's asking price, an angle which the NHLPA and player agents worked to absolute perfection in the pre-cap NHL. Those days are over now for the most part.

Just because Holik makes 4+ in Atlanta does not mean that other teams would be willing or even able to pay 7 million to so-and-so [enter higher scoring player's name here]. That's what I was getting at.

There is no clear correlation between stats and salary demands. Teams now have to decide how much they are willing to pay for goal scoring, goal-tending, defense, guys like Holik etc. etc. and stay within the confines of the payroll limits.

At any rate Bobby earned my respect in his short stay on Broadway, I wish him good fortune in Atlanta.

[Max Power]

I understand both your points and you make a good one at that but I still think it?s too much in this market. Granted I haven?t had the luxury of seeing much of Holik so I don?t mind standing corrected if he is that big of an impact guy. Still that means players like Peca or even Fisher or Walker who probably won?t score more then 50 ? 60 points a season will be worth 4 + million.

[Newfie John]

What if they put Holik on a line with Kovalchuck? That may cover Kovalchuck's defensive woes.

[monster]

This salary cap is working out really good for the small teams. Columbus improved with Foote, Thrashers with Holik, now the competition will be a little more better. Although I hate the fact that my favorite teams can't sign who they'd like, the cap seems to be a good choice.