Comments on: Cashing in: James Neal signs six-year, $30 million extension with Pittsburgh

By: bananaballs

bananaballs — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:58:16 +0000

Where on earth in free agency are you going to get a young 30 goal scorer for less than even 6 to 7 mill these days, let alone a 40 goal scorer? How have you come to this idea of what decent deals are? He’s not on an entry level contract and he had years of his free agency bought out and they were bought out at a fairly bargain rate. You’re the only one who thinks this is a bad deal. James Neal if he was a UFA this upcoming offseason would most likely be getting a long term deal in the 6.5 mill dollar range a year. This isnt 2005, the salary cap has gone up quite significantly since then and thus the salaries of subsequent free agents has as well.

By: sfbookreviews

sfbookreviews — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:09:42 +0000

Sorry, but some of your assertions are wrong.

Neal is making $3.5 million this year, so signing him for 1.5M less puts him at the exact same salary. Nobody signs that deal after a career year.

As for his play, he’s averaged about 25 goals a year over the last 4 years. So this is not an anomoly. It’s maturation. He’s 24 and getting better every year.

Some players who have fewer goals over the last few years yet will make more than 5 million dollars next year include Ryan Getzlaf ($6.1M next year), Marc Savard ($6.5M), Nathan Horton ($5.5M), Mike Cammalleri ($7M), and at least 30 other guys I could list. So, yeah, I have no problem with paying James “The Real Deal” Neal $5 million.

And those who follow the Pens know there are up to 5 guys on the farm who are ready or extremely close to being ready to take a spot on the Pens. Those guys will make under a million each so not so worried about the cap right now.

By: ferrytales1

ferrytales1 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:28:00 +0000

But it’s not a bargain. It’s only even a decent deal if he maintains this production.

By: bananaballs

bananaballs — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:51:58 +0000

They got I believe 4 years worth of his UFA years so yeah 5 mill is a total bargain considering what he wouldve likely been getting on the open market. Even without projecting into the future much, he is a 30 goal scorer. Getting a young 30 goal scorer (on pace for 40 this year) locked up for 6 years at only 5 mill is a total bargain. The pens cap situation is no where near as precarious as it was a few seasons ago.

By: ferrytales1

ferrytales1 — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:01:19 +0000

Are you guys for real?

Sure, he’s doing well right now and has had a great season, but are you afraid that his asking price will somehow go north of $5 million a year? He’s a restricted free agent, not a UFA. $5M is probably 1 or 1.5M too much at this point.

Add to this the fact that he’s never really done this before and you’re tying your ship to him. This contract COULD be an anchor. Then again, he might end up playing up to it, but I doubt he will ever be considered a bargain. He nearly doubled his current contract. That’s ridiculous. This should have been competed in the offseason if only to see how things work out in the post season with him.

So, the Penguins have 2 players making 8.7M, Neal at 5M, Staal at 4M, Fleury at 5M which adds up to 31.4M for 5 players. Then they have a few overpaid players already in Martin for 5M (ridiculous) and Zbynek for 4M and Kunitz for 3.75.

How this team is still winning games I will have no idea, but throwing around money like they are is going to put a stop to it pretty quickly. That being said, I like the fit of Neal in Pittsburgh, and I don’t think it was a mistake hanging on to him, but I do think they paid him too much, and they can ill afford to make these mistakes with so many other large contracts.

By: florida76

florida76 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:45:07 +0000

Another smart move by the Penguins organization to not let this issue linger, and Neal is obviously very happy to have escaped Dallas. Even without Crosby, the Pens project to be a serious Cup contender in the future. Next Cup ties them with Chicago, which is pretty remarkable, when you consider the Black Hawks had a roughly 40 year head start as a franchise. It was easier to win Cups during the Original Six era, fewer playoff rounds, and losing teams won Lord Stanley’s prize during that era.

By: mrskunitzdrippinlips

mrskunitzdrippinlips — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:06:57 +0000

looks like “the franchise” made another franchise type move. god its so nice to live in the greatest sports city of all time

By: bluesrawesome

bluesrawesome — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:04:54 +0000

On pace for 42 goals and 78 points that is what you call a bargain.

By: Stiller43

Stiller43 — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:23:16 +0000

If this production stays, which he’s in his early to mid 20′s, so theoretically it should, 5 mil is a good bargain.

Woo!