Money Players: The Education of Bobby Holik
Jul 20, 2004 7:40:12 GMT -5
Post by Rimmer on Jul 20, 2004 7:40:12 GMT -5
taken from another board, a little long, but, IMO, interesting story describing how a player agent Mike Gillis negotiated the contracts of Holik, Amonte and Richter in the summer of 2002.
www.russianjerseys.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000083
While Amonte heads off to meet with the Stars in Massachusetts, Canadiens GM André Savard calls from Montreal. He and Gillis discuss the many millions at play for Holik as if talking about the price of lawn mowers. For the Habs, still trying to sign their star goalie José Théodore and veteran centre Doug Gilmour, Holik is the type of player who could push them to the top of the Eastern Conference. Montreal's a small team that could use his bulk. But Holik's price tag for any Canadian franchise outside Toronto is daunting. Gillis hangs up. "Too rich for his blood," he says, crossing Montreal's name out of his notebook.
**********
Since Jim Dolan's firm Cablevision acquired the Rangers, the chief executive has become "very, very, very, very involved" in the running of the Rangers, says former general manager Neil Smith. "Cablevision believes if every company has one CEO, we should have ten." That philosophy extends to hockey players, too, says Smith.
Gillis heads down to the kitchen for a quick lunch. By the time he's back in his office, Amonte has returned from meeting the Dallas brass. Things went well with Hicks, Armstrong, and Carbonneau, who are now off to see Bill Guerin (he lives near Amonte in Massachusetts). Dallas GM Armstrong (son of former NHL linesman Neil Armstrong) will call back at one-thirty to present Dallas's offers for Holik and Amonte. It will be the pivotal point of the day, Gillis believes. "We have to get someone out of the box, someone to make an offer," he tells Amonte soothingly. "If they give you $7.5 for five, do you want it? Okay ..."
R.
www.russianjerseys.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=000083
While Amonte heads off to meet with the Stars in Massachusetts, Canadiens GM André Savard calls from Montreal. He and Gillis discuss the many millions at play for Holik as if talking about the price of lawn mowers. For the Habs, still trying to sign their star goalie José Théodore and veteran centre Doug Gilmour, Holik is the type of player who could push them to the top of the Eastern Conference. Montreal's a small team that could use his bulk. But Holik's price tag for any Canadian franchise outside Toronto is daunting. Gillis hangs up. "Too rich for his blood," he says, crossing Montreal's name out of his notebook.
**********
Since Jim Dolan's firm Cablevision acquired the Rangers, the chief executive has become "very, very, very, very involved" in the running of the Rangers, says former general manager Neil Smith. "Cablevision believes if every company has one CEO, we should have ten." That philosophy extends to hockey players, too, says Smith.
Gillis heads down to the kitchen for a quick lunch. By the time he's back in his office, Amonte has returned from meeting the Dallas brass. Things went well with Hicks, Armstrong, and Carbonneau, who are now off to see Bill Guerin (he lives near Amonte in Massachusetts). Dallas GM Armstrong (son of former NHL linesman Neil Armstrong) will call back at one-thirty to present Dallas's offers for Holik and Amonte. It will be the pivotal point of the day, Gillis believes. "We have to get someone out of the box, someone to make an offer," he tells Amonte soothingly. "If they give you $7.5 for five, do you want it? Okay ..."
R.
