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Myers will receive a $10 million signing bonus July 1, 2012, the first day of the extension, the source said. He will receive $2 million in salary next season and $6 million in 2013-14.
In 2014-15 and 2015-16, he will receive $5 million each season, followed by salaries of $4 million, $3.5 million and $3 million, the source said.
The Sabres have called a 2 p.m. ET Thursday news conference.
Myers, the NHL's Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year in 2009-10, would have been a restricted free agent July 1.- ESPN.Com
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| portlandpirates.com |
Letang was signed to a four-year contract extension last year that runs through the 2013-14 season with the Penguins worth an annual $3.5 million.
Call me biased but I'd rather have Letang for the next three seasons than Myers. The Sabers did a good job of locking up Myers long-term, but he's definitely not worth $10 million for one year.
Anyone that doesn't think Shero is the best GM in the league has to be insane. Maybe I am biased but the Sabers have $78 million tied up between Myers and Christian Ehroff. The Penguins are spending less money on Letang, Brooks Orpik, and Paul Martin combined.
When Letang made his debut, many fans and critics were skeptical of his game. He took some big risks on the ice and often left his defense out to dry when he tried to join the rush. He was often criticized for being out of position and being careless with the puck.
Things have changed drastically since then. Letang had a huge 2010-2011 season, finishing tied for 7th in the NHL with 50 points.
Letang's offensive performance can't be underestimated considering that they cut ties with Sergei Gonchar before last season. Letang has not been as strong as Gonchar on the power-play, as he totaled 24 points power-play points. But Letang has done a very good job replacing Gonchar as far as a strong offensive presence on the blue-line for the Pens.
The most impressive thing about Letang is the amount of confidence he seems to have on the ice. Now he seems to have an understanding of when it's ok to take certain risks on the ice in terms of joining the rush. He's become so comfortable on the ice that his playing time continues to increase. Letang averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game and is often on the ice when the opposing team has their top line on the ice. Letang also is very durable playing in all 82 games last year.
At just the age of 24, it's Letang's play seems even more impressive. His potential seems sky high and Letang could very well develop into one of the best offensive defensemen of his era. He definitely will if he stops missing the net by 20 feet on the power-play!
Who would you want to have for the next three seasons, Letang or Myers? I know my answer, and I wouldn't want the Pens to have anyone else as their G.M. than Shero.
I'm not saying Myers isn't a good player. I think he's a rare talent, a big defensman that can contribute offensively, but I think Letang has more skill.
After hearing about the Myers contract and seeing what the Sabers are doing up in Buffalo, I'd trust Ray Shero with my life.
IN SHERO WE TRUST!
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| yinzpitt.com |
letang had a HORRIFIC second half of the season last year (around the time a certain player on the pens got knocked out with a concussion, maybe youve heard of him). Once sid was out, his offensive points went down the toilet. he had all of 2 goals and 11 assists from january 6th onward. zybynek michalek scored more than twice that in the same time span, and michalek is the epitome of a stay-at-home defenseman who rarely jumps into the offense. defensively speaking with letang, there is a TON of room for improvement. orpik and michalek are lightyears ahead of him in defensive skill. I understand letang's game isnt to be a stay-at-home defenseman, he's on the team to be an offensive presence on the blue line, but if he cant score then he sure as hell better at least be able to defend, but he wasnt too great at that either. he's counted on to be the #1 offensive-defenseman on the team, and without 87 in the lineup feeding him pucks he just cant do it. dont want to completely dog him because, like you said, he is young and will improve, but he looked like horseshit once sid was out of the gone.
ReplyDeleteas far as tyler myers goes, hes a hell of a player and will probably be a future zdeno chara-type force on defense. The contract is a little crazy but if they have the $$ to lock him up long term i would do it in a heartbeat too, the guy is going to be a future norris winner for sure. the deal to ehrhoff was insane though, i never understood that.