BRISSON: JT CONTRACT TALKS TO START SOON
But he used a scary word with Greg Logan
9:00 pm - In a response to my text tonight whether a John Tavares contract would be done for tomorrow’s press conference, agent Pat Brisson wrote: “No, but we should start discussing in the next few days.” Then I checked Greg Logan’s blog to see if he had anything different. Greg did. Brisson said to Newsday, “We’re probably going to be exploring things with the contract.” Exploring. No, really. It’s okay. Three years, standard Entry Level. Just like Stamkos – $875 K, plus $2.850 mill a year in potential bonuses. Max cap. Brisson told me a few days before the draft No. 1 pick contracts take “10, 15 minutes. These deals are basically no-brainers. You can’t ask for any more money than the CBA permits.” No reason to explore, Pat. You too, you Islanders people. Comments. Prospect camp and Lighthouse talk continues below.
55 Responses to BRISSON: JT CONTRACT TALKS TO START SOON
But he used a scary word with Greg Logan
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AZS says:
It’s funny, because the second I had read that on Logan’s blog I automatically felt like I was kicked in the groin. So many fears crept in …I don’t know what they could be “exploring” …any ideas CB?
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cgs878 says:
$2.85m in incentives? What are these? You mean like scoring 50 goals a season? 100 points per season?
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Blockness Monster says:
Ummmm DP type contract scary?
Exploring how to make this a lifetime contract?
Tavares did say that he wants to play his entire career here.
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Mikey says:
This should be a boilerplate contract. What is there to “explore”? With Charles in charge and his history of wacky contracts, you never know what can happen. I do not understand why the Isles did not taken care of this prior to tomorrow’s press conference.
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Matt says:
not anything to worry about.
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Bedell says:
CB, what could they explore? I mean like you said Entry Level Contracts are no brainers so what could they possibly be doing that would take longer?
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isles72 says:
explore eh …..hmmmm
almost sounds like when your girlfriend says she just wants to be ‘friends’
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anthony says:
is this “good” explore or “bad” explore?
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Tavares #1 says:
Accomplished nothing Snow continually needs to reinvent the wheel. The team is not his 1st priority, his ego is.
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Yanks26 says:
should we all be worried?
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big jim says:
hey #4 when did jt say he wanted to play his whole career here??
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pj1212 says:
I bet they are going to get something long term done. I dont think a dp type contract but more then a 3 yr entry level. lets get him her for more then 3 yrs. he is our future. get er done
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haathead68 says:
Blockness Monster, where/when did JT say he wants to play his entire career here? That’s great to hear if it’s true. God bless ‘em.
Let’s hope that we’re really approaching a return to glory here for our Islanders. -
sign him for the 3 years…lets not talk long term until, year one is done atleast..no reason for any type DP conract…
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Neil says:
Logan and Canadian media will have their fangs out for JT tomorrow
1. Why haven’t you signed yet?
2. Aren’t you mad the Isles haven’t signed anyone to help you?
3. Isn’t this building a dump? Why aren’t more people here?
4. Why haven’t you won the Stanley Cup yet?
5. When will you sign with Toronto? Don’t you really want to play for Toronto? Or Edmonton?
6. You’ve been nothing but classy your whole career even though we’ve been stalking you since you were 11. You’re a jerk aren’t you? -
steve says:
#9, I remember hearing JT make that comment about spending his whole career here. He said it during one of the interviews on Draft night. It was either on Versus or MSG (don’t remember which) but he did say that. I too think that this whole “exploring” idea involves a longer than 3yr contract term.
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#8 and #11, I am pretty sure an Entry Level Contract is required to be 3 years long. It cant be any longer or shorter.
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Bryan says:
Well as we have seen this offseason with contracts for Hossa and Pronger the salary cap no longer exists. Tavares’ agent may have found a way around the rookie cap and wants to utilize it for a big payout
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I don’t think exploring will do much. Although they were able to alter the eligibility rules for him in the Ontario Hockey League, I do not believe they will do the same for him in the NHL. The first contract will be three years, with the normal max salary imposed, as well as the normal bonuses. If the NHL does grant an exception and allow him to pen a long-term contract, I would first be shocked, and second, disappointed. Allow him to prove himself, like any other player, before you sign him long term. Obviously this is all based on speculation of what “exploring” means.
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JPinVA says:
This is what I’d ask for if I was JT’s agent:
1. Fix the damn ice surface so my client doesn’t spend half his career nursing bad wheels.
2. Find somebody other than Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen who might someday score more than 20 goals so my client doesn’t have to listen to chants of “Garth MUSAT GO” every frikken night he plays at home.
3. The “Zedno Chara’s Head” Clause: You are closer to the cap CEILING than the floor every year my client plays here. He’ll give his all and YOU AT LEAST MAKE A DAMN EFFORT!!!!
4. 90% of the media surrounding the team can’t be about YOUR DAMN REAL ESTATE DEAL! This kid has a 5-10 year window to make promotional money. His NHL contract should be the least of his income… PROMOTE HIM a little more than your billion dollar fantasy. At least try.
5. Don’t ever DARE go to the negotiation table after he gives his all and whine about how YOU ARE LOSING MONEY. YOU OWN A TEAM IN NEW FRIKKEN YORK… If you can’t make money in NEW YORK it’s YOUR Fault… and he’ll go to Toronto where they don’t have that kind of problem. -
Patrick says:
Oh great, looks like we have another Eric Lindros situation brewing
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Steve says:
GIT ‘R DONE!!!!!!!!!!
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4PeatSake says:
Maybe his agent wants to talk to Garthie about the lack of protection JT faces before he gets fed to the Atlantic Conference wolves. Not good for the ole career longevity. If I’m representing that boy you better believe I’m telling Snow to sign some muscle in the best interest of my client.
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D-man says:
why is it some agent says something strange and to some it means we have to insult dp… wang… the islanders. what’s wrong with some of you?
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JZimm says:
I wouldn’t worry too much about it. There’s not much to “explore”, but Brisson may be looking for loopholes in the “bonus” area so that Tavares can make more money than just the $895,000.00; I have no problem with it. For instance, if Tavares scores 50 goals in his first year, maybe there is a heavy bonus involved. That’s where the rookies make their extra cash. No big deal here. Just “exploring” as adverstised.
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The only thing that could possibly be explored would be whether JT gets a max contract or not. If Stamkos got one, JT gets one- there is nothing to explore in that. I dont know, maybe the Isles just want to milk it and have another press conference when JT signs his contract?
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Uncle Jr says:
Amen D-man (24)…. RELAX PEOPLE !!!
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Isle74 says:
No story here. If there was something funny going on, he would not be at the prospect camp and the press conf. Lets relax.
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anthony c says:
Its the 3 year entry level deal plus the incentives and that’s that. After 2 years, then that’s when the isles can really sit down with tavares and negotiate a long term contract, like how pittsburgh, and washington did with crosby and ovechkin respectively. And speaking of entry level and long term deals, anybody still wondering how the blackhawks will be able to re-sign kane and toews to long term deals as well as keep guys like keith, and seabrook plus a strong supporting staff now that hossa is locked up for the next 12 years. If their gm can figure a way to do that then chicago will be nearly unstoppable in the western conference for a very long time.
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Al L says:
The Islanders fan over the past 15 years has entitlement on paranoia. Our greatest fear is Tavares proving himself and departing after 3 years as a restricted free agent. Nothing ever flows smoothly over here anymore!
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#18 – You are correct….I remember thatit was in an interview that I heard and not read. Maybe it was fischlers One on One with Tavares, but I distinctly heard it.
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jeff says:
CB: Any chance that JT will wear a letter in his rookie year?
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Jeff, I certainly hope not. If this team treats the Captaincy that way, I would be extremely disappointed.
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Tom B says:
just sign it!!!!!!
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Just noticed that DP merchandise is 20% off at Isles online shop. That can’t be a good sign for his availability this coming season.
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25yearfan says:
Probably just trying to keep NYI mgmt in suspense, like they kept him in suspense up til they got to the podium….
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Rick says:
According to the CBA, entry level contracts for players 18-21 years old can ONLY be 3 years long. No more, no less.
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TM says:
23, JPinVA – Very true. I agree with every word!
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RobJ says:
Want some cheese with that whine???Isles fans need to begin to move past the Milbury era. Lets trust in the fact that Garth picked JT for a reason. Lets trust in the fact that JT has not shown any indications of NOT wanting to play here. In fact, he said something about playing here for his “entire career” according to some of you. You’re not supposed to bash your favorite teams, some sound like Rags fan…
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doug says:
CB,
When Brisson said exploring, is he looking for an “out” clause in JT’s contract so if the Islanders move out of the NY area JT can become a free agent?
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Jonesy says:
Stop worrying I don’t think garth would be that stupid and not get something together. He’s going to prospect camp and is getting introduced as an islander stop bashing garth he’s doing it right. Next year is the year we make a big spalsh. I deff agree we need an enforcer though. But Reich is a tough bastard so maybe he can be that guy
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Smitty says:
Sigh!
1. Entry level deal can only be 3 years. 2. There is a maximum for bonuses.
3. When he becomes a restricted free-agent Islanders can match any offer for him.Some of you people are shell-shocked by Mad Mike, I guess.
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The PolishPrince says:
What worries me is the fact that Brisson did say before the draft that since it’s an entry level deal it would take “like 15 minutes” to work up. The draft was two weeks ago so why can’t a contract have been put in place before the presser today? Is it stupid to worry about? Probably. But given the team’s history can you blame some of us for being a little concerned?
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As Smitty (and CB) points out there are restrictions on length and money under the current collective agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA. Thus, you quickly must realize that by “exploring” the agent must have been referring to other areas of the contract (appearances, philanthropy, a bigger commitment to LI and the community, etc., ???) I would suggest, for us Isles fans, it is an exciting word for him to have used.
Chris any ideas what areas might allow for exploration under the CBA?
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GPMD says:
#23
And if I was the General Manager, I would tell you and your client to enjoy playing in Russia.
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Oren says:
Heres what needs to be explored Brisson; sign the contract like every other 1st pick does because guess what….we have JT’s rights till he’s 26!! No advertising rights to share with Isles, no special glam-boy rights or private jets or this or that. This could get ugly. PS: I was in the Hedman camp.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
Could the “exploring” relate to the a one-way or a two-way contract (as I’m not savy with the verbage used in an entry-level deal)?
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My guess is that it’s a media curveball designed to amp up the hype only to find out that he signed.
Garth Snow should also be exploring this Versteeg situation in Chicago. -
JKP in Halifax says:
I think this is overblown. People are just interpreting way too much into what is just common lawyer/agent speak when talking to the media. This is how those people talk full-time regardless of the specific circumstance.
We’re looking to leverage our synergies to maximize a win-win scenario for our client and the team. We’ll be exploring a number of ways to increase the value-add we bring to the table. Blah blah blah…
Chill, folks.
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James says:
I really think people are reading too much into this, you guys this isnt Mad Mike. I understand the last 15 years of frustration, but the assumptions of bad thing happening is ridiculous
For months everyone kept saying Garth would screw it up and pick someone else other than JT. Some even guaranteed it. In the end he picked JT, now you are all looking for something else to complain about
*sigh*
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mike says:
Calm down people! There are plenty of non-monetary things that can be explored, and you can’t blame Tavares or his agent. 1. Perhaps Tavares can demand housing provided by the Islanders like a suite at the hotel or housing for parents, since he is only 18. 2. Perhaps Tavares has some specific marketing demands…so what. 3. Perhaps Tavares wants grapes peeled for him in his hotel room when the Isles are on the road. Who cares? This is no concern at all.
Amen CB! Explore THIS Pat! get the deal done.