Hockey is a passionate game. There is probably no other sport in the world as passionate as hockey is to the players who are playing it.
The long schedule, lifestyle, speed and professionalism (Ever compare a NBA interview to an NHL one?) contribute to this fact.
The long schedule has little downtime and family time for the players and those who regularly travel with the team. It results in the players knitting in a way a large family might: an environment not seen in most other sports.
The speed of the game ensures emotion. The thunderous hits, game-saving saves, key penalty kills and GWGs add to this emotional connection. Playoffs are a grind physically and mentally. Hockey players do not talk about it much, but often they really do hate the other team. That edge gives them something to dig into.
It is easy to forget, however, that all hockey franchises are businesses. They are designed to make money. It does so via ticket sales, vendor sales, parking revenue (if your team is so lucky to own it's parking spaces... Phoenix wishes it did.) advertisements and other revenue generating streams. All businesses must make smart decisions with their product.
In hockey, the product is the 20 and change players that each NHL team fields, day in and day out. It is important to manage these products.
The Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils did not manage their product correctly.
By allowing Suter to walk with no assets returning, is a huge blow for such a small market team. I understand that risks must be made, especially concerning the playoffs, and the closing window--it is unfortunate.
GM Poile should have locked him his stud defenceman earlier. When working with such small market teams, you must make a consistent effort to evaluate and re-evaluate your players on a year to year basis.
Ottawa's recent signing of Erik Karlsson to a 7-year deal ensures that he will remain an Ottawa Senator for his lifetime. The likelihood of him leaving the Senators after 7 years of building and growing roots is slim.
This is smart asset management. Sign your products longterm before they begin to entertain the thought of playing for a more lucrative or desirable franchise.
It is unforunate for the Predators but still surmountable. Their new problem, on dealing with Shea Weber, is to figure out if he can sign for long term.
If he can sign for 7 or 8 years at a reasonable cap hit, (only way is for him to take a "home-town discount") than Nashville will be okay. (I argue that, Suter will stumble without Weber, but this remains to be seen.)
However, what is far more likely, is either a one year deal for Weber which will bring him into his UFA year, where he can get megabucks... or he is dealt.
Weber could attract significant assets. Puck moving defenceman of his caliber are few and far between.
Tampa would covet a player of Weber's stature. It would take a Hedman + Lecalvier + 1st 2013 + pieces to get it done, but it could be something worthwhile. Only if Weber is willing to sign longterm, of course.
In NJ the writing was on the wall with Parise -- even the season before he was the talk of the league on potential FA of the 2012 draft year.
NJ will survive -- they have greater problems (financial), than losing Parise -- but it certainly hurts them.
What are your thoughts? Did NJ and NSH manage their products correctly, or were they misguided?
