LaRose signs 2-year contract
Canes forward Chad LaRose has signed a two-year contract that will pay him $1.5 million next year and $1.9 million in the second season, general manager Jim Rutherford said today.
LaRose, an unrestricted free agent, had a one-year contract last season that paid him $875,000. Unable to reach an early agreement with the Canes, he tested the NHL's free-agent market for two days before re-signing with Carolina.
"This works out fine," Rutherford said of the contract. "It's the same contract that we gave Jussi Jokinen. It makes sense within our structure and is justifiable to both sides."
Jokinen, a restricted free agent forward, also received a two-year contract that will pay him a total of $3.4 million.
"We've got the guys re-signed that we wanted to re-sign," Rutherford said. "Now we can move on to the restricted guys."
Defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is an unrestricted free agent but Rutherford has said Seidenberg's asking price is too high and that he will not be back with the team. Forward Ryan Bayda, also unrestricted, has been offered a two-way contract.
The restricted free agents are forward Tuomo Ruutu and defenseman Anton Babchuk. Rutherford said Babchuk, who has been made a $1 million qualifying offer, has said he would not play for the qualifier.
Chip Alexander
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is in his second season as the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at chip.alexander@newsobserver.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @ice_chip.
Comments
The CBA
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 13:09 — robotron2084You can't make conditional contracts like that under the CBA. This is why making long-term contracts is a risky business. You can't try and protect yourself with little clauses like that, nor would an agent "risk" accepting one. You also have to keep in mind that a multi-year deal for Ruutu has to come with some sweetener because he'd be giving up a couple of years of being unrestricted by doing so.
Rutherford
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:22 — Hockeydoghas not had to go to arbitration often, so lets hope they settle this one soon. I am not sure of what trade options the team has since he has filed but the worst case scenario would be Ruutu walking with nothing in return. Most likely they will hammer out a deal, or JR will accept the awarded salary. I guess a 3rd option is to trade him if the awarded salary is too high for JR's liking. My hope is it works out and both sides are happy.
Tuomo Ruutu files for Arbitration
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:17 — in2jazzCame down Sunday night...
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/9772214/Zherdev,-Hudler-file-for-sala...
Am sure we'll keep him!
Go Canes
Ruutu
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 09:53 — AN0NYM0USActually, the contract situation with Ruutu is not great, but hopefully his contract can be resolved amicably. He is one of 20 RFAs to file. Apparently, arbitration cases are heard in late July and in August. Ruutu and his agent can continue negotiationg a new deal to avoid going through the often contentious arbitration process. At the arbitration hearing the Canes will make a case for a salary figure and Ruutu's representative will do the same. A decision by the arbitrator must be made within 48 hours of the hearing. With the arbitrator's decision, the Canes have the right to reject the figure and walk away. However, that would allow Ruutu to become an unrestricted free agent, which in my opinion would be bad news for the Canes. Ideally they will sign him to a longterm contract in the next few weeks before it goes to arbitration.
Ruutu
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:00 — abramsdougWell said. It is in the Hurricanes' interests and Ruutu's interests to find a reasonable compromise and to reach an agreement. Perhaps a three or four year contract would work for both sides. Arbitration carries risks for both sides because the arbitrator will have to take into account numerous factors, including Ruutu's excellent performance and talent, as well as the impact of the Recession on the fair market value of players. In the end arbitrations tend to have one side happier than the other side -- which is far less preferable than both sides feeling they reached a workable agreement that is equitable and fair.
Gawd I hate the off season...
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 12:47 — esteban1949But if i could have Jr's ear...I'd suggest a 3 year deal...the first 2 years at such & such a rate per year...and the 3rd year even more IF he is healthy, and his stats are up & consistant. Now want to hear something even stranger out of my mouth. If the canes were to Lose Ruutu...i'd be more upset and P.O.'d about that than if LaRose went and was gone...But i be just a fan...a ficle,fickle fan..what do i know ??
Go Canes !!
FYI
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 15:13 — jgrant641Boston is tight on their cap room, local reporters there looking for the Bruins to trade/dump salary, Aaron Wards name is mentioned.
Ward has one more year @ $2.5mill.
...just sayin'
please NO!
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 15:41 — hockeyhickI wouldn't want him back. He's like the cowardly lion on the blueline...
i would love to se JRspend the money on someone like shaone morrisonn-young big physical. 2.5 million would probably get him...
would take more than 2.5M
Sat, 07/04/2009 - 12:13 — JRs_FaultMorrisson is RFA, so it would cost 2.5M (at least) + the required compensatory draft pix.
If Boston is looking to dump salary (Kessler still not signed, right?) I'd bet they'd take much less to shed Ward's contract. It's a prototypical JR move... and I'd take him back, knowing the trade price wouldn't be too high.
Are you forgetting The Punch
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 08:05 — C_LeaguerNo way Aaron Ward comes back with Scott Walker on this team. I know both guys are professional and both would try their best not to let The Punch be an issue, but it will be. I like Ward, but there's now baggage with him here, and this team doesn't need that.
Nope...
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 10:50 — JRs_FaultGiven Walker's stand-up handling of it post-game and the lack of league discipline, I don't think too much could be made of that 'situation'.... if we're going to get hung up on who has punched who, alleged cheap shots (no intent to rehash this one), etc. in the NHL, there wouldn't be much player movement at all, now would there?
I agree with you about
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 09:22 — AN0NYM0USI agree with you about Ward, too much baggage now, but the Rangers picked up thug Donald Brashear, despite his doing his best to injure as many Rangers as possible and knocking out Blair Betts in the playoffs.
On an unrelated matter, what's up with Ruutu? He filed for arbitration. Chip? Anyone??
way off track here guys.
Mon, 07/06/2009 - 14:52 — clementnormanway off track here guys. ward is as good as gleason and hes the big physical defensive Dman we need. walker and ward would be fine, leighton and ward faught in the AHL and they play together now. 2.5 for ward is a solid deal.
Wondering
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 06:19 — JRs_FaultNow that we've seen the back and forth statements from JR on both Cole & LaRose, only to see them both come back from the 'market test' to resign... I wonder what the real status of Seidenberg is.
Good Reporting
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 00:45 — greensborogeezerChip-thanks for staying on top of this story. I missed my prediction of signing Rosy by about 6 hours but am glad to have his hustle for the team . Also, with the Cole signing, I hope he works on developing different power forwards moves than the one he has now.
Great news!
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 21:16 — caneshockeyfanI realize he's a fan favorite for his hustle, but LaRose's game is more than just solid effort; this contract is warranted. Yeah, it'd be great to add a big, power forward, but I'm more stoked about getting LaRose back.
Good luck in Russia, Babs.
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 20:51 — ctillGood luck in Russia, Babs. With $2M to spend by releasing Babs and Seidenberg, JR should be able to find a good stay-at-home D for the PK (and to play with Pitkanen during 5-on-5).
Ruutu, LaRose and "where's our third power forward?"
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 20:05 — abramsdougLaRose's interview on WRAL was very insightful into his thinking. In the end, LaRose and Rutherford seem to respect each other and nobody can question LaRose's will to compete and his positive influence on the team. LaRose believes he can score 30 goals; and I really wouldn't be shocked if he developed into a 30 goal scorer as he matures and his overall skills develop. It's important, I think, that Jim Rutherford and Ruutu's agent work out a long-term deal for Ruutu. Ruutu is a key part of the team and he will likely command much larger numbers if he were to go the UFA route when his RFA status switches to UFA. Still, I keep wondering where is our third power forward. I had hoped that the Hurricanes could have signed Chris Thorburn, for example; but it appears Thorburn has re-signed with Atlanta. I think Rutherford does more with the budget he has than any other GM. Maybe he can pull yet another rabbit out of his hat.
Ammy & Chip
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:44 — esteban1949Ammy- Even if Chad didn't resign, I am still a Caniac fan...sure I'd been grossly disappointed, for the next 2 years we don't have to worry about that !
Chip, thanks for the great news...And while this past season I was rather harsh towards some of your reporting & Luke's as well, But seeing you and all of the staff there at the N&O are alot better than several of the writters here & @ the WSJ...But what wold i know ?? i aint got no Putlizter or Hearst awards, so what would i really know ??
Glad to have Chad LaRose back on the active Roster again.
Go Canes !!
Esteban
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 07:02 — ammy144I know you are a true Caniac fan. My comment was not intended to imply anything negative regarding your love for our team. I was simply remembering your recent receipt of your framed LaRose jersey and being happy for you that Rosie was still with us. Sorry if you felt I intended anything different.
Yo Ammy
Fri, 07/03/2009 - 09:05 — esteban1949No Harm, No Foul !!! It's all good...But i do get seething,upset ( just wee bit mind you) and down right bonkers type of fustration, during the off season when "talks" and " negotiations " go one...to me that is the down sie of Hockey...sigh ...but a very very necessary evil..No need to apologise...i was just being me..I'll try to send out an early waring alert ( the the weather service does) so no one gets caught out in " secret storm " remember that soap opera...have a happy and safe week end please...
Go Canes !!
Rutherford the Best
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:29 — fjwhitI don't know of any NHL team where the General Manager is as loved as Jimmy is with the Canes. Go Canes sign Tuomo
JR didn't blink
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:22 — wxray1Welcome back, Chad! Look, $3.4M is more than most of us reading this will make in a lifetime. Congrats to a good kid who made it!
P.S. JR has nerves of steel when it comes to this process. Scary!
Babs
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:19 — hellfishJr needs to pony another 250k for Babs. With Seidenberg gone another 30+ points and 16g would kill the blue line Babs is still learning and we need his production...It will cost more $ to get another player who might not be as good.
Let him go
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 19:21 — wxray1Let Babs go. He has flashes of brilliance, but... Teams caught on to that big shot last year. Does he have anything else? Can he hit? Can he play shut down?
He obviously has an attitude. I think it is time to let him go.
I agree.
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 20:29 — hockeyhicklet him go. the money saved combined with what Seids would have made could equal a good, big strong shut-down blueliner
Thanks Chip
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 17:58 — ammy144You are the fastest news breaker out there! I'm glad Rosie will be back. The terms seem fair to both sides. Let's hope he lives up to his break-out year and then some. I know Esteban will be happy his Rosie jersey is still viable!
Yay!
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 17:48 — hctimo787Yay!
I concur...
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 21:47 — SunYAY!!!
hooray - thanks for breaking
Thu, 07/02/2009 - 17:23 — covaitthooray - thanks for breaking the story!