ELEVATING THE Q.O. DISCUSSION
Agents for Comeau and Hillen explain decision
5:57 pm - As we reported exclusively last night, Blake Comeau and Jack Hillen declined their Qualifying Offers and remain restricted free agents without much leverage. Some readers wrote off the story as a non-issue, the result of 24/7/365 coverage (you mean like a real major league sports team? Thanks!). Guess we’ll see if this turns out to be much ado about nothing.
Way too easy to jump on Blake and Jack for rejecting their QOs. Yes, I was a bit surprised, but in an attempt to take the conversation deeper and understand the process I reached out today to their agents.
Kurt Overhardt, the agent for Comeau, began our phone conversation by stating that he almost never discusses his client’s contract negotiations in specifics. However, he understood that I was trying to write a balanced business tale, so he took me through the mechanics of passing on QOs not just on behalf of the Islanders forward but for many of his clients over the years.
“The fans should understand that the Qualifying Offer is simply a mechanism,” said Overhardt, based out of Colorado. “It is in place as a way for teams to retain the rights to their young players. It is purely systemic, nothing more than that.
“As agents, we expect teams to negotiate in good faith. The teams have the responsibility of evaluating their players and placing a value on them. What we did by exercising our right to pass on the Q.O. is the norm as much as the exception. I’ve done the same with many players, including Brandon Dubinsky with the Rangers. Again, the player’s agent and the team must negotiate in good faith.”
After Overhardt mentioned “good faith” a second time, I asked him to step away from his policy and speak about Comeau and the Islanders. Do you expect Garth Snow and the Islanders will negotiate in good faith, Kurt?
“I have the utmost confidence they will,” said Overhardt. “Garth and the Islanders have a very competent management team in place. I’ve worked with them plenty before.
“Something you have to remember about the Islanders. They’ve done such a good job of drafting the last few years, they’re going to be faced with a lot of situations like this. That’s a good thing. I’m confident we’ll work out a contract that’s fair for the player and the team.”
Neil Sheehy, Hillen’s agent, was not reluctant to discuss his position in passing on the QO.
“We’ve had discussions with Garth Snow about Jack,” said Sheehy. “Garth is an honorable guy. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to work something out.
“There are two sides to every negotiation. Both sides should have a say. There’s a history of working well with the Islanders, from Jason Blake to Jack Hillen and Kyle Okposo. The key is doing it together. I’m optimistic we’ll work something out.”
ETC: As reported by capgeek.com, forward prospect Trevor Smith signed his qualifying offer.
Comments. Bitter Tanguay talk continues below.
24 Responses to ELEVATING THE Q.O. DISCUSSION
Agents for Comeau and Hillen explain decision
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Ethan K says:
Interesting article. I like Hillen and Comeau, and think they’ll develop into good players for the Isles. Hope they get this settled soon.
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Doug says:
Who cares…Garth trade both of them…who needs them…sign Martin instead and have him be Tavares wing man…
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Islesfan in Vancouver says:
I don’t see a big issue with the situation. They declined to sign the qualifiers, but still remain Isles property and the Snow isn’t going to give them a raise if he doesn’t have to. I’d like to keep both and think both of them have an upside we haven’t seen yet, but at the same time I don’t believe throwing more money at them is a good thing.
Our cap space is incredible and will allow for a lot of flexibility when the team is ready to compete at a playoff level. We’re nowhere near that yet, so why spend cap dollars when you don’t have to, especially when it’ll bump one of the younger guys out of the lineup or cost someone icetime.
stay the course.
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CMB says:
Don’t teams almost always offer the bare minimum salary when making qualifying offers? As long as the player and agent think that the player’s market value exceeds the minimum qualifying offer, it makes sense for the player not to sign the deal. (On the other hand, if the qualifying offer represents the best deal the player can realistically expect to receive, signing the offer makes the most sense.)
Blake Comeau and Jack Hillen shouldn’t be criticized for seeking extra money, years, or one-way deals (whatever they are seeking). I can’t blame them for using the little leverage that they have as RFAs.
In the overwhelming majority of situations, RFAs reach contractual agreements with their teams prior to training camp. There shouldn’t be much cause for concern here.
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Strummer's Army says:
I like both players and this situation will be easily resolved. Isles have much bigger issues to worry about.
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Pete M says:
Sheehy’s dealings with the Islanders as far as Jason Blake goes didn’t exactly have a happy ending, did they?
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jbranny says:
The fact is, most readers of this blog have no idea what is going on in these negotiations. Maybe the team and the players are trying to work out something different than the QO that is a better deal for both sides. That is probably the case.
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chris says:
Sign all three of them. Most of all, We need that pest Martin in Bridgeport this season.
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jimmy mac says:
I’m sure it will get worked out for all 3 guys.
Where else can they get Hillen and Comeau get the same ice time.
And Martin does not want to go back to the minors… that is a waste.
I would like to see all 3 signed to 3 year deals.
Might as well start working on Bergy’s contract too while were at it.
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Neologizer says:
Again Hillen had a $875k base salary higher then
KO 850k
Gervais 800k
and same as JB $875
BC made $735Neither of these guys is asking for a better base. I’m sure its all about one way two way
one way means that a player is paid the same in the NHL or AHL, where a two way is one salary for AHL one salary for NHL.
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KO21 says:
I think I’, expressing many of the fans sentiments when I say “sign Comeau and WGAS about Hillen, we have Freddie Meyer”???
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mike says:
Amazing how guys turn down NHL contracts when most of us on this board would pay $$$$ to play one game in the NHL.
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Brett says:
It’s been a while since I posted and this is not directly related to the Hillen and Comeau discussion, but rather a comment made by Comeau’s agent:
“Something you have to remember about the Islanders. They’ve done such a good job of drafting the last few years,…”
While I am excited about a few of the top tier guys like Tavares, Okposo, and Bailey, when I look around for objective views of the Islanders prospect pool they are still at or near the bottom of the league. Why are we still not moving up the rankings of people who are experts on prospects? Any thoughts?
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doc says:
The argument that you would pay to play in the NHL and therefore Comeau and Hillen shouldn’t DARE turn down a QO is a ridiculous statement.
I am a good debater and therefore I should get paid like a successful attorney. Except for the fact that I didn’t get a bachelors degree nor did I go to law school and earn my Juris Doctorate or associate for 5 years with the DA’s office for 50 grand a year.
Get some perspective and stop being jealous!
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Brian in VA says:
Does Comeau’s agent realize that Dubinsky is on another level than Comeau… Look I hate the Rangers but I am being objective…
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Mike from Oceanside says:
#16 above – Agree with your point 100%
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Brett (15): You ask why the Isles are not moving up the rankings of people who are experts on prospects. I ask, what experts are saying the Islanders do not have a better farm system and prospects than they did two years ago? I think that people mix up fan sites that focus on prospects (such as HF) with actual experts- and they are not the same thing.
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If Neil did that great with Jason’s negotiations, he’d still be in blue & orange instead of blue & white.
Just saying.Garth is indeed honorable, but you can’t force his hand. Ever.
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JKP in Halifax says:
Very cool insight into some of the mechanics of this. Thanks, Chris!
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beatlebailey says:
#20 blakey got the money from Tor. the agent did his job
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Battfist says:
Puck’em…
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mht says:
Hillen is completely mediocre.Cory Murphy signed a 2 way deal for less with NJ. Jeff Schultz who was a 1st round draft pick with Washington resigned for less.Sign Comeau he still has a large upside.Give Hillen a hike!
not worried about this, im sure things will be sorted out shortly. the kids need to do what is in their best interests. wouldnt you?