Oh, you weren’t aware that NHL free agency was crazy this year? Dennis Wideman getting $5 million-plus didn’t sell you on that? The Minnesota Wild giving out two contracts that are longer than their entire franchise history didn’t sell you on that?
Well, this will: According to John Gambadoro, a radio reporter in Phoenix, an Eastern Conference team has offered unrestricted free agent Shane Doan a four-year deal worth $30 million. Yes, $30 million. For four seasons. That’s a cap hit of $7.5 million. For Shane Doan. 35 year old Shane Doan who earned $4.55 million a year on his last contract.
Just absolutely insane. It’s really hard to imagine any team actually offering this much unless a) they’re desperate for scoring or b) are desperate to get to the salary floor.
I’d love Shane Doan on the Flyers. I think he’s a fantastic player and if he can hop in, play in the top-6 and at least replace Jaromir Jagr’s scoring from a year ago, I’d be all for it. But for $7.5 million per year, a deal that would make him the highest paid player on the team until 2016? (Or until Claude Giroux takes that title in two years.) Not a chance in hell.
Paul Holmgren isn’t this crazy, right? Please re-assure me of that before I have a panic attack.
