I heard a really interesting comment about team's that win have good compression. Much like you, I had no idea what compression means in a sports sense. Compression is the level of respect between the top and bottom of a team.
A team where the top player respects and values the bottom player are said to have good team compression, whereas a team with bad compression is a team where the top player has no respect for the bottom player. Since each sport has a long season/playoff, compression is important to keep team unity and cohesiveness.
This concept makes a ton of sense. If the top player does not respect the job and contribution of the lower echelon players, they will have no chemistry and in tough games or long playoff battles, these teams will come unglued quickly.
Compression helps to explain why some teams come together in rough patches and others come unglued. Look at David Tyree of the NY Giants. A special teamer, who was not much of a receiver. He stepped up to make a huge play because the quarterback believed in him and his team had excellent compression (and defense).
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Last year of a contract
I live in Ottawa, Canada and have heard many fans saying "Trade Kovalev". I cannot understand this movement. It makes little sense here. The "asset" you will get back is a similar salary on another team, that is a player they are dissappointed in. So, essentially, this move becomes my problem for your problem.
Kovalev is in the last year of a contract making $5 million. After this season, the Senators will have both Leclaire and Kovalev off the books, meaning $8.8 million in spending room for the 2011 season. This money could be huge with Brad Richards, Alexandre Semin, Simon Gagne, Chad Larose, David Backes, etc potentially hitting the free agency market.
The NHL gms have to start thinking like NBA gms where cap space is a sought commodity. I am so surprised a player like Kovalev is not a hot commodity. He has an expiring cap hit of $5million. In the off season, you can use that $5 million to shop for another player. He gives cap flexibility to a team on the cusp of making it big. Especially if that team can "hide" a player like Kovalev in the minors.
One of the few gms in hockey that seems to work the rules is Paul Holmgren, he masterfully took a terrible team and remade them essentially in one offseason by trading picks for exclusive negotiation rights to top players. Other teams have now noticed this strategy and have started using it.
Kovalev is in the last year of a contract making $5 million. After this season, the Senators will have both Leclaire and Kovalev off the books, meaning $8.8 million in spending room for the 2011 season. This money could be huge with Brad Richards, Alexandre Semin, Simon Gagne, Chad Larose, David Backes, etc potentially hitting the free agency market.
The NHL gms have to start thinking like NBA gms where cap space is a sought commodity. I am so surprised a player like Kovalev is not a hot commodity. He has an expiring cap hit of $5million. In the off season, you can use that $5 million to shop for another player. He gives cap flexibility to a team on the cusp of making it big. Especially if that team can "hide" a player like Kovalev in the minors.
One of the few gms in hockey that seems to work the rules is Paul Holmgren, he masterfully took a terrible team and remade them essentially in one offseason by trading picks for exclusive negotiation rights to top players. Other teams have now noticed this strategy and have started using it.
A Golden hire?
I know everyone is all over the Miami Hurricanes for hiring relative unknown Al Golden. I think it is a bit early to throw him under the bus. Taking a terrible Temple team and turning them into something relevant is amazing. Consider that no graduating Temple player has ever had a winning record in their careers, until this year. Simply amazing!
Miami has not been relevant since the 90s. Hiring re-treads from the NFL and nowhere assistants is not going to get Miami back to national relevance. Hiring a fast riser from a small school could be the home run that Miami needs to get back to the National scene.
Randy Shannon was a good fellow and graduated his players. He did many things right, except win games and National titles. Al Golden has to recruit and win. The first 4 games of the upcoming season are crutial for Golden and the Hurricanes.
Miami has not been relevant since the 90s. Hiring re-treads from the NFL and nowhere assistants is not going to get Miami back to national relevance. Hiring a fast riser from a small school could be the home run that Miami needs to get back to the National scene.
Randy Shannon was a good fellow and graduated his players. He did many things right, except win games and National titles. Al Golden has to recruit and win. The first 4 games of the upcoming season are crutial for Golden and the Hurricanes.
How to save the Ranger's off season
I think the answer lies in a three way. Like Aldus Snow, from Get him to the Greek, the only way to save the Texas Ranger's off season is to get involved in the threesome. It is a simple, yet effective plan, trade Michael Young to a team (Orioles, Nationals, maybe Rockies), they send prospects to Kansas City and Zach Greinke goes to the Rangers. Losing Lee could have been disasterous, but adding Greinke and his friendly contract is much more appealing than spending 1/4 to 1/3 of your payroll on Lee.
At the same time, get on the phone and lock in Adrian Beltre. This will give you a vaccum cleaner at third with good power in a hitter friendly ball park. He should sign for a little less than Michael Young and provide similar numbers. There will be little pressure on Beltre, as a line up featuring Hamilton, Cruz, Andrus and Kinsler, so he is unlikely to relapse like in Seattle, where he was supposed to be a major cog. Two of the last three contract seasons Beltre has had no pressure and turned in huge years (Dodgers and BoSox).
This will still give the Rangers a front line starter and a strong offense. Young should be desirable, especially to a team that has a hard time attracting a big time free agent signee. The Orioles and the Nationals seem to be a toxic wasteland for free agents, so they would likely be willing to move towards Young.
At the same time, get on the phone and lock in Adrian Beltre. This will give you a vaccum cleaner at third with good power in a hitter friendly ball park. He should sign for a little less than Michael Young and provide similar numbers. There will be little pressure on Beltre, as a line up featuring Hamilton, Cruz, Andrus and Kinsler, so he is unlikely to relapse like in Seattle, where he was supposed to be a major cog. Two of the last three contract seasons Beltre has had no pressure and turned in huge years (Dodgers and BoSox).
This will still give the Rangers a front line starter and a strong offense. Young should be desirable, especially to a team that has a hard time attracting a big time free agent signee. The Orioles and the Nationals seem to be a toxic wasteland for free agents, so they would likely be willing to move towards Young.
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