"You're on a team and in a community, your kids are in school, you have a house, everything's normal. And then in 10 seconds, you get the news that you're not gonna be there any more. And it's kind of upheaval. The world kind of goes out of control for a little bit, and you just find a way to deal with it."
- Brian Pothier, from this afternoon's must-read
4 months ago
J.P.
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I feel bad for the guy. It has to be hard to feel part of a team that is going no where and your contract expires after the season. I am sure he can’t wait to get through the rest of the season and best of luck to him. I wouldn’t rule out the caps signing him in the off season.
On the plus side for him, his PP time per game is up from 1:13 to 3:42, so he’s actually got a great chance to put up the kind of numbers that will help him this offseason.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Yeah, this is an important point for Pothier. Had he stayed, he might have found himself scratched some nights when he desperately needs ice time to earn a new contract with quality bucks for a contender. In the long run, this could work out well for him even as I understand the inconveniences that go along with trades. He was very persistent in battling back from injuries and you wish him the best.
erskine has scored...now i can die in peace
My guess is that he would be willing to lose a bit of salary to win a cup. The extra playing time is a silver lining on a pretty dark cloud.
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
That would be my assumption, especially since he’s on the backend of his hockey career at this point.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 10, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think this is a fan-created misconception. Most players (wisely) sign the contract where they get the most money for the most years. While there are some players who go out searching for the Cup-favorites (Hossa a couple of years ago), I think this is a big minority. As fans, we are willing to sign other guys’ contracts to keep them with our favorite teams. That just doesn’t happen that often.
Also — and no offense to Pothier — I really don’t see any of the top 8 or so teams going after him in the offseason for him to be anything other than a 6th/7th defenseman.
I wouldn’t discount it for veterans, but for younger players, I don’t think that the Cup thing is that big an issue. If you’re 38 and without one, then I think it is.
CИДHИЙ KPOCБИЙ: АЛEKCAHДP OBEЧKИH, OH CEЙЧAC TBOЙ ПAПA
by red army line on Mar 11, 2010 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
I’m hoping for an OT win for the caps tonight.. to give Carolina a little extra somethin’ something’ to help with their playoff chances. I won’t feel as bad for Pothier if his team can at least squeak into the #8 spot…
But then again.. that will likely see Carolina playing DC. That would be an extra slap in the face if Carolina played DC in the first round and Carolina lost
i’m thinking next years d will be
poti, green, alzner, carlson, schultz, erskine
plus hopefully a free agent, bad-ass, big bodied, crease clearing dman (yeah, that guy)
clearly erskine will be the 7th dman. maybe you can move poti, and maybe karl doesnt make it. but beyond that, do we have room for pots if we wanted him?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 10, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
oops, i forgot sloan…yeah…
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 10, 2010 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
I would rather sign a bigger and better Dman than pots. However, with the potential salary increases of Gordon, FLash, Shultz, Neuvy, Fehr, Backstrom and Semin (already 1.4 increase in cap hit) Pots might be a nice cheap alternative. After all he already knows the system and is a decent puck mover, with some offensive skills – as we have all seen
by Garyland1177 on Mar 10, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn’t write the Canes off quite yet, only because the current 6-11 seeds are a sea of mediocrity. After our 2008 spring (and even STL last year to a lesser degree) it’s tough to rule anything out with 30 plus points on the table still. But I too feel bad for him on a personal level.
What’s really flown under [my] radar is the perspective that GMGM managed to remove two fairly expensive contracts for players—Pothier and Clark—who I considered to be our most physically fragile on the NHL roster. Yes, we took back some hurt / recovering dudes in Juice and Walker, but their expiring contracts don’t really hurt.
Driving under the influence of hockey since godknow's when.
“and then you look at your bank account and say…….oh well….”
by SA-Town on Mar 10, 2010 2:22 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Heh, I agree. I mean understandably i feel bad when they must up and move the whole family on a moments notice, but that’s part of their career choice. Sometimes I have to go on a business trip or get dragged out on a sales call (I’m no salesman) but that’s all part of what I do.
It’s part of their career too and why they get paid the big bucks.
by DarkHorseCards on Mar 10, 2010 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
How much WAS pothier getting paid? A measly 500K a year? Damn.. guess he’ll have to hold off on the gold plated shark tank until later
Uh, no – Pothier will make $2.5 million this year, same as he made in each of the previous three seasons.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Dayumn.. then yea. He can wipe his years with his bank statement :)
Dayumn.. then yea. He can wipe his years with his bank statement :)I feel for the guy but hey… That’s the risk you chose to take by being a Pro. ]
Dayumn.. then yea. He can wipe his years with his bank statement :)I feel for the guy but hey… That’s the risk you chose to take by being a Pro. ]It definitely sucks for the kids though. But how often in everyone’s childhoods did they have to move along with their parents.
Dayumn.. then yea. He can wipe his years with his bank statement :)I feel for the guy but hey… That’s the risk you chose to take by being a Pro. ]It definitely sucks for the kids though. But how often in everyone’s childhoods did they have to move along with their parents.Raleigh’s a nice town at least.
Something to remember here, though, is that these guys basically have a few years during which they can earn really great money and then… well, it varies from player to player. So while it’s easy to say “They get paid to put up with this crap” – and they do – it’s important to recognize that a lot of them don’t have a lifetime earning potential that’s all that different from some of us.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
As I said, it varies from player to player. Some guys are well-prepared for life after hockey. Others are not.
And they don’t all make plenty.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Indeed. I’m not sure about how it is in the NHL, but I remember reading an American article about the NFL, which said a substantial amount of retired NFL players go bankrupt post retirement. Mostly because they are simply not prepared.
"In the depths of winter, I learned there was in me an invincible summer" ~Albert Camus
substantial amount of retired NFL players go bankrupt post retirement.
Proof that a 4 year college degree is just a waste for some people :)
500K minimum is plenty to me. Granted after taxes, agents fees, escrow, blabla bla, at worst they might clear half of that. But that’s still a pretty penny. A smart hockey player making the league minimum should be set for life after 5 years or so.
You are clearly too young to work the numbers well. That’s a nice living, but after five years at league minimum, a player might have a sum in the bank, but not nearly enough to live on the rest of his life.
Take Bruce, for example. I know using salaries from 20-30 years ago isn’t applicable, but just look at what he said he was making as a coach before landing in Hershey (he stops disclosing salary at that point). It’s a nice middle-income living, and I know he’s got the camp for other income. But he needed that to live on, I can’t imagine he really had that much of a nest egg until getting to the Caps.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
but not nearly enough to live on the rest of his life.
Set for life if you don’t have kids, don’t buy a million dollar home with a 4,000 dollar mortgage payment in some rich part of the suburbs and drive a 100,000 dollar car. Seriously. If you drive a fancy car and buy a huge house and still complain with a 500k salary I have no pity for you.
I’d say you probably only need 4-5 years of 1-2.5 million in salary to live quite comfortably well into old age, unless you’re spending extravagantly. Right? Even with taxes.
or at least enough money to invest in a business so you still “work” but never really have to lift a finger
There’s a big difference between $2.5 million and NHL minimum. If we’re talking Pothier, I wouldn’t be worried about his retirement. You talking Laing? Under two years at league minimum, he might have a few hundred thousand put away after this year (I’m sure they live frugally and are saving it), but what do you think are his chances he gets a third year?
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Do AHL players have different minimums from the NHL? How does that work. It’s a little confusing seeing as how you can be an AHL player one day and an NHL player the next.
If I was at the start of my career making league minimum I’d be holding off on buying a hope or any big purchases until I had my next contract signed. 500K a year minus taxes and expenses for 4-5 years.. yea .. might not be enough to be a couch potato or travel the world the rest of your life .. I’ll give you that. But like I said.. it should give you enough money where you can “work” but not really .. “work”.
Salaries are much lower in the AHL and ECHL. For guys on two way contracts, they get NHL money for days on the NHL roster and AHL money for days not on the NHL roster. So Alzner and company lose real money for those “paper” transactions.
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
Sounds confusing. So they basically get “two” levels of salary they agree on.. and then they get 1/82nd of whichever level they’re on per day?
NHL roster days, so each day Carlson’s here, he gets 1/180th of his NHL salary.
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
Nope, he(?) doesn’t. It’s per day, not per game day. So it’s divided by the number of days in the regular season. (I don’t know if it’s exact, or an approximate number of days in the season.)
Sometimes, you really just want to hit a b**ch.
Besides. I think we’re spoiled living in the DC area which is pretty expensive.
Having a “measly” 500-700k saved up might not be enough to retire out here, but move to some podunk part of the country and buy a house with a couple acres and you’re pretty much set.
Without kids and managed well, yes. Theoretically.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
not really, you need to keep the bulk of that in something that pays you interest to live off of. A 5% return of 1 million dollars is 50,000 a year before taxes – not really set for life numbers. And god help you if inflation hits.
To be “somewhat set for life” you need about 2 – 2.5 million.
by matthewlangley on Mar 10, 2010 5:50 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, real estate is a really good optio… nevermind.
we're not gonna allow someone like Downie to go after him.
With his mustache
I know a few websites that would hire him for some videos.
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
the "they make a lot of money so who cares" argument is always weak to me
humans are humans, regardless of what they make. It sucks.
by DonnieKnutts on Mar 10, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
I think it shows what the UFA tag means and why a long term deal is important. Once your close to UFA status, you become a pawn in the game…
Pothier knew he could be dealt as did Flash, Fehr and many other role playing UFA’s.
Caps were definitely shopping him prior to the deadline. I don’t think he was terribly surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Agreed. i think it is safe to say these guys play for more than just the paycheck.
by Garyland1177 on Mar 10, 2010 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
Brian Pothier on whether he’ll get an ovation for his return home tonight: “No chance.” I disagree.
- Dan Steinberg (DC Sports Bog)
Boys and girls, we have a challenge. Let’s give Pothier as warm a welcome as ever, and prove him wrong!
I need a snappy signature...
by IRockTheRed on Mar 10, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I hope this qoute makes the rounds and motivates everyone in attendance. He is a class act and deserves the recognition for outwardly handling this as well as he has. Good luck to him!
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Mar 10, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think the VC crowd is very good about giving ovations unless prompted by the PR team. Nobody really even acknowledged any of the new acquisitions during the Tampa game last week, which I thought was disappointing.
None of them were really remarkable acquisitions, that’s why. You’re not going to get an ovation for joining a cup contenter when you’re Eric Belanger.
Anyone remember when Dino Ciccarelli joined the team? He was traded for one of the team’s all-time fan favorites, and got an absolutely rousing welcome.
your profile and avatar inspiration got a nice ovation, though.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 10, 2010 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
only a matter of time, i’d guess. we know ted approves.
by Natty Bumppo on Mar 10, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
what is the typical turn around time for number retirement?
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 10, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Judging by some of the comments on Stein’s article, our cheers will have to compete with some booing. Really guys? Really?
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 10, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
agreed… the booing comments and whooping have me very confused! we have absolutely nothing to boo about when it comes to poth, he was nothing but a classy guy and a hard worker.
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
Are you the one who sent that to Tarik’s chat? Classy.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
His situation is better than Clarkie’s, for sure. Carolina is at least contending, and like Potsy said, they can use the Caps to “screen the goalie” and beat up all the other division rivals. Whereas Columbus is just plain bad. Plus Brian is a free agent this summer, and can sign anywhere, and Chris is contracted through next year.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
Plus Raleigh vs Columbus… I don’t mean to slam the city of Columbus, but I’d take Raleigh.
by DarkHorseCards on Mar 10, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
Trades are just a really weird facet of the business of sports. There’s no other profession where you sign a contract that says you can be shipped off to a competitor with no notice or reason. Ok, they’re making millions, yeah, so there’s that. But I often think about what it would be like if my boss called me in and told me “Well, you’ve been great, but we’ve traded you to a nonprofit in Toledo for two receptionists and an IT guy. Pack your bags.”
by katzistan on Mar 10, 2010 2:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
two receptionists and an IT guy
That’s a lot. You must be that lease-clearing VP everyone wants.
Kurtis meet Lars.
by redlineblue on Mar 10, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The receptionists were only included so that the deal worked out under the salary cap.
GUTEN TAAAAAAAAAAAAG!
What’s the equivalent of doing temp work then? Playing in the Finnish Elite League and hoping to get noticed by an NHL team for a league minimum deal?
Always being The Player To Be Named Later.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
I don’t think it’s too different from the real world.
People lose their jobs all the time and have to take what they can get. My dad lost his job in a paradise beach town in Florida when I was a kid and we had to move here to Maryland abruptly.. with my dad going it alone for a while in MD (to be closer to family) while my mom and my sisters and I stayed behind while we shopped the house.
Military kids have to move all the time mid school year. Lord knows how many kids had to say to say goodbye with no notice to their dads after 9-11
I will give athletes this though.. In the sports world when you get traded you have to be in your next city within a couple days. If you’re military or you lose a private sector job abruptly, you usually get at least a little time to prepare
So random question. Does insisting that a “no trade clause” gets put into your contract when you sign with a hockey team, does that tend to cause you to have to concede a bit in your yearly salary?
doubtful. i think it’s just icing on the cake when two teams might be offering the same guy the similar amounts of money.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 10, 2010 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Just seems like selling a contract with a no trade clause is like selling a house with a “you can’t sell it for 10 years” clause…. Might make everyone want to pay less for your house.
well, i think that demand may scare some teams away (GMGM). i wonder if NTC/NMC are a result of the player demanding it or teams offering it as a way to sweeten a deal when there is a competitive bid situation. dunno.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Mar 10, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
The NMC/NTC were an expensive fad. I think enough GMs have been burned by them to make the GMs less willing to offer them to the players.
Now helping to keep an eye on all things Gr8 at Alex Ovetjkin.
the sad thing is that i dont know if people understand whooping protocol! people seem to have forgotten it should be saved for people we dont like. case and point- jagr getting the loudest whoops ive ever heard.
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
Do you favor the whooping of Gonch? I do. You play for the Pens = you are disliked for 60 minutes that night. Period.
Gonch was somewhat unpopular for the same reasons Murphy was even before he signed with Pittsburgh, which I imagine is part of it.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Mar 10, 2010 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
I am in favor of gonch whooping. I know this is a much debated opinion but i personally have bad memories of his trade and still believe that he was trying to jump ship… the fact that he is a penguin only completes the circle of disdain. on the flip side- i dont whoop people who stuck around with us during those dark years: bondra, olie etc
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
I will whoop all of Pittsburgh forever – Goonch or not.
by matthewlangley on Mar 10, 2010 5:55 PM EST up reply actions
Jagr wasn’t whoopable, in my opinion. I booed, but never whooped. Stoogy d-man is the qualifier, no?
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
i grew up with the whoop being used for all old players we disliked. that was as a kid at cap centre so either my dad taught me wrong or i decided i liked it too much haha either way that has been my tradition and others have whooped with me…
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
I remember whooping Larry Murphy and Sergei Gonchar. That was it. I don’t remember many whoops for Jagr, but it’s irrelevant now. I’d rather it be for guys who were like stooges(i.e. stupid turnovers, dumb defensive play), since that’s how it was explained to me (the whoop the three stooges made). If Poti left, I’d probably whoop him, and F&B would probably cheer. Pothier was always pretty solid defensively, and he was also a hard worker at both ends, which I don’t really think (during their times here) Murphy and Gonchar always were.
I think I may make a fanpost on the whoop at some point. Or maybe someone has, but by the criteria I have (D-man, turnover prone, bad defensively, superb offensively, braindead on occasion, left to a rival), Pothier doesn’t fulfill what is needed.
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
yea i have heard of that criteria before but i suppose my family and section are more ruthless with the whoop. i def remember whooping jagr and to this day its the loudest i can remember. i suppose some of that could have been boos but regardless it was a blast. i wouldnt whoop poti because i def think that part of the criteria has to be their attitude while playing and how they left the team. if someone made a million defensive mistakes but was a class act, i wouldn’t whoop him. but i also will never boo my own team, which apparently some people do. to each his own i suppose…
Between Wise and warped, I choose warped.
I like Pothier and I understand what he’s saying. And yes it’s part of the game and business of hockey. In the end this was proabably not a bad move for him though – to me it’s clear he wasn’t getting resigned here for anthing like he’s making now and as has been pointed out he’s getting more PP and more 5 on 5 ice time to show a) he’s healthy and can play them and b) show he can be more productive with more offensive upside. Neither of those things should be bad in a contract year for a guy who will be a UFA.
by markbona-capsfan99 on Mar 10, 2010 9:22 PM EST reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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