Flyers re-sign Primeau

[Forum Ghost]

PRIMEAU GETS NEW DEAL FROM FLYERS

The Philadelphia Flyers today announced that they have signed center Keith Primeau to a new four-year contract.

TSN has learned that Primeau will earn $4.5 million in each of the first two years of the contract, and $4 million in each of the final two years, for a total of $17 million.

"For our organization, it will be the biggest and most important signing we have this summer," said general manager Bob Clarke. "Primeau is the player that we built this team around and will continue to do so. He's the leader of the group.

"Now that we have signed Keith it means that we can start filling in the other places. I don't think you have any chance of being good without top leadership and Keith is a great leader on this club. The players that are around him respond to Keith. His on-ice performance was obviously above anybody else in the playoffs. Had we made it to the Stanley Cup Finals he would probably have won the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs."

"Excited is the very first word that comes to mind," said Primeau. "I knew that making a deal wouldn't be difficult. They are always very receptive here as an organization. I said at the end of the season that this is where I wanted to be and I'm comfortable in the decision that I've made. I'm pleased to be back and excited for next season."

www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=87620&hubName=nhl

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The Flyers didn't stop there... they also signed free agent prospect R.J. Umberger:


FREE AGENT UMBERGER SIGNS WITH FLYERS

R.J. Umberger, a former first round pick by the Vancouver Canucks, has signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers, TSN has learned.

Umberger, a centre who played three years at Ohio State University, left school last summer with the aim of turning pro with the Canucks. But when he couldn't come to terms on a contract with Vancouver, he ended up not playing last season.

At the trade deadline, Vancouver traded his rights to the New York Rangers. When the Rangers did not sign him by June 1, Umberger became an unrestricted free agent. The Rangers received a compensatory second round pick for allowing Umberger to go to unrestricted free agency.

Sources say a number of teams were interested in Umberger and that he whittled his choices down to Philadelphia and Toronto, ultimately deciding to sign with the Flyers. Sources say Umberger will receive the rookie salary cap, which covers salary and signing bonus, plus a bonus schedule that could bring his total compensation to about $1.5 million annually if he were to max out on the bonuses.


www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=87614&hubName=nhl

[CentreHice]

That's a half-million paycut from the 5 mill. Primeau made for the past 3 years. Considering it's after his "Conn Smythe-like" performance in this year's playoffs, is this a sign of things to come?

Hmmm...I'm going into the playoffs...who do I want as #1 centre, captain, leading my team? Koivu at 4.25, Primeau at 4.5, or Sundin at more than the first two combined at 9 million?

[razor]

CentreHice said:

Hmmm...I'm going into the playoffs...who do I want as #1 centre, captain, leading my team? Koivu at 4.25, Primeau at 4.5, or Sundin at more than the first two combined at 9 million?

Interesting comparison, if you were to roll Koivu and Primeau into one person you would have Sundin. Talent - size - and payroll-wise.

I think 4-4.5 is quite a bargain for Primeau, especially afer the way he played in the playoffs, that was the best I have ever seen him play. I wonder if it was because he was not being over shadowed by brighter stars?

[CentreHice]

razor said:

Interesting comparison, if you were to roll Koivu and Primeau into one person you would have Sundin. Talent - size - and payroll-wise.

No doubt Sundin has the size and talent...but he seems to be injured at all the key times in the past playoff runs. I still say Koivu and Primeau outweigh him in work ethic.

razor said:

I think 4-4.5 is quite a bargain for Primeau, especially afer the way he played in the playoffs, that was the best I have ever seen him play. I wonder if it was because he was not being over shadowed by brighter stars?

To which brighter stars are you referring?

Every one you mention probably didn't match Primeau's work ethic and desire. There were few on the Devils and Leafs who even came close. The Lightning had some players who matched him. In fact, Tampa Bay held Primeau to one shot on goal in Game 7. Quite impressive, considering they did the same to the Flames in Game 7.

[blny]

I think this is good for Montreal. If Primeau gets a deal that averages $4.25 million a season, it creates a precident for negotiations with AK. I don't think he can argue for any amount greater than Primeau.

It's rare that a deal for a player on another team would please me this much, but I think it sets a bar for the rest of the summer.

[razor]

CentreHice said:

To which brighter stars are you referring?

Every one you mention probably didn't match Primeau's work ethic and desire. There were few on the Devils and Leafs who even came close. The Lightning had some players who matched him. In fact, Tampa Bay held Primeau to one shot on goal in Game 7. Quite impressive, considering they did the same to the Flames in Game 7.

I didn't mention anyone, but what I was refering to was earlier on when with Detroit he was overshadowed by Yzerman, Fedorov, Kozlov, Larionov, etc. When first with Philly, it was by Leclair, Recchi, Lindros, Gagne.

This year, in the playoffs, Leclair and Recchi were showing their age, Lindros is long gone, and Roenick was coming off a concussion. Primeau seemed to be THE man in this year's playoffs.

[Boston_Habs]

BLNY said:

I think this is good for Montreal. If Primeau gets a deal that averages $4.25 million a season, it creates a precident for negotiations with AK. I don't think he can argue for any amount greater than Primeau.

It's rare that a deal for a player on another team would please me this much, but I think it sets a bar for the rest of the summer.

I agree. Primeau is a good comp for Kovalev. They are both around the same age (31/32) and although Primeau isn't the offensive weapon that Kovalev is, he brings an awful lot to the table: size, skill, leadership, defensive ability, some scoring, etc.

At a minimum, the precedent for a pay reduction has been set. Kovalev is not going to get $6mm - I think if Gainey wants to pre-empt the July 1 deadline, a 4-year $20mm contract should do it.

[blny]

Boston_Habs said:

At a minimum, the precedent for a pay reduction has been set. Kovalev is not going to get $6mm - I think if Gainey wants to pre-empt the July 1 deadline, a 4-year $20mm contract should do it.

I'm sure it would at this point, however I don't see a neeed to spend what we don't have to. I'd start squarely with what Primeau agreed to and go from there.

[Boston_Habs]

BLNY said:

I'm sure it would at this point, however I don't see a neeed to spend what we don't have to. I'd start squarely with what Primeau agreed to and go from there.

I think you risk losing him that way. I would be willing to overpay now in exchange for AK not testing the market. I would easily offer $4.75mm for 3/4 years and could be pushed to offer $5mm to get a deal done before July 1st.