Craig, Lightning head to arbitration

I'll have some more on this in Thursday's paper, but wanted to give you guys a heads up on where things stand between the team and forward Ryan Craig. It certainly doesn't seem as if arbitration can be avoided. Craig said the sides are still talking, but GM Jay Feaster said he is not optimistic anything will get done before Friday's hearing in Toronto. Feaster also said that a too-high arbitration award could cause the team to try to trade the player.

That would be too bad. It would be hard to find a more standup guy than Ryan Craig. You can never question his commitment, and now that his knee is probably feeling better, he might be able to become a more consistent goal scorer. He certainly earns his money in front of the net on the power play. And money, of course, is the problem.

Feaster declined to comment on the numbers but conversations with others who should know what's going on paint this picture:

The Lightning, it is believed, offered Craig three years at $750,000 each year which would buy out one year of unrestricted free agency. Craig it is believed, proposed two years at $1-million each. That gap will widen further during an arbitration hearing at which Craig is expected to ask for one year at about $1.2-million. The Lightning could counter at around $650,000.

Arbitrators can award any salary they deem appropriate.

Why would $1.2-million be a strategic request? The collective bargaining agreement this season does not let teams walk away from arbitration awards unless they surpass $1.221-million. There also is a player, Chuck Kobasew of the Bruins, who will make $1.2-million next season. Kobasew scored five goals and had 19 points in 50 games last season. Craig had 14 and 27 in 72 games. That is a good comparable for Craig, 25, who would enter camp slotted on the fourth line and with special teams responsibilities.

Here's the other problem for Feaster. He already has committed $42.816-million of the $44-million the team has said is available for salaries. Said the GM, "So we're going to wait until the arbitration decision comes in, and if it's a number that doesn't work for us in our budget, then we'll have to look at other options, including moving the player. ... We like Ryan Craig. We think he can play a very valuable role on our team. But certainly not at those kinds of numbers.''

         

Comments

[SarasotaBill]

One last comment. DC awakened me to something I didn't know. Teams can't walk away from an agreement if less than 1.22 mil? That's rather insane in my opinion. But then again, who the hell am I?

Certainly muddies the waters in this situation. Used to be a take it or leave it deal. I guess that's not the case anymore. At least for 1.22 or less. Nothing against Craig, but let's hope his award is something that fits. I don't see it, but I'll hope for it!

[SarasotaBill]

I don't know what to say about this other than I wish this hadn't gone this far. There are few winners in arbitration. History tells the story. I could speculate all I want but I think I'll wait. Hopefully there will be a last minute deal which sometimes happens. This doesn't look like one of those times.

Hopefully a resolution is found where both sides can find some common ground. Anything less than that could turn out ugly. I hope that doesn't happen. I truly hope!

We'll see what happens in the next 24 hours.

[mbab]

my mind goes round and round on what to comment.......still same ole crap for me......they don't have the money to spend on anyone...........PERIOD........you get what you pay for and the lightning are bargain hunting on a saturday morning garage sale.......and that is how the bottome third of the roster will be filled out...........such a shame to have such a distance in talent and money between the top 6 and the bottom 6........hopefully better financial decisions will be made over the next 3-5 years.....on craig....his only real asset is his power play ability......he is a below average skater and hence can not get a lot of minutes.....i certainly would have rather had perrin than craig......when i think of craig getting more money than perrin.....hard for me to understand.....but the reality is this.....the bolts are not offering much money to anyone.....so send out an email worldwide.....quality hockey players needed.....minimum wage pay will be given.......maybe that is why we don't have much off season news to celebrate about.......uncle feaster is at it again.....go bolts!!!

[Brent]

One of a very few guys that will ever fight to stay in front of the net/goalie... we need more of that! Uncle Fester needs to take a pay cut and give the money to Craiger!

I'd rather pay off the arbiter with a one timer, -half mil- to bounce this kid, open his eyes, and tell him to take the six fifty.
Then go out and show us why he thinks he's worth twice that.
I'd like to see...

If not, take the picks, JF.

[Mike13]

Did some research on just a couple of more comparables for both sides:

Ryan Craig (TBL) 14g, 27pts

John Pohl (TOR) 13g, 29pts @ $475K
Mike Zigomanis (PHO) 14g, 23pts @650K
Joel Pavalski (SJS) 14g, 28pts @ $810K
Jay Pandolfo (NJD) 13g, 27pts @ $836K
RJ Umberger (PHI) 16g, 28pts @ $1.25M
Fernando Pisani (EDM) 14g, 28pts @2.5M
Joffrey Lupul (PHI) 16g, 28pts @ $2.535M

Where this ends up for Mr. Craig is anyone's guess. I think he does a good job for the Bolts, but is not worth the $1M he is seeking for the next 2-years.

Seems to me that Nan and Another Joe are close with their estimates of somewhere between $800K and $900K. If you throw out the two K-Lowe contracts (Pisani & Lupul) as well as the Pohl salary, the average is $886.5K. My guess is that the arbitor's award will be closer to the $900K mark at 1 or 2 years. If that turns out to be the case, then shame on Feaster for not offering that kind of money at the 3 year term. I'm guessing Ryan would go for that kind of deal.

[Tim A]

I really like the comments made by Nan. I also hope that the Lightning and Craig can come to an agreement. The numbers that Craig is asking for does not seem to be unreasonable for the talent that he has exhibited for the last couple of seasons. If there is a way to work this thing out I really believe the Bolts should give it good try. However, arbitration sometimes leaves a bad taste in everyone's mouth leading to some internal problems that just might not settle well with the rest of the team. If craig has to be traded it might be just as well to not have the team in any turmoil going into training camp.

[Nan]

I agree with Lightning Rod. The offer by the Lightning is a joke. 3 years at 750,000? Who are they kidding? Ryan should go no more than 2 years on a deal as he is young and has lots of potential. He is not worth a million at this point because he has not proven much yet. On the other hand he is big and loves to stand in front of the net and takes it. Gotta love him for that. Maybe 1 -2 years at 800K - 850K. Craig needs to respect the cap situation while the Lightning need to respect his future potential. Let us all hope that they can come to some sort of agreement. I would hate to see Craig go to another team and in a few years see him scoring points big time.

[Lightning rod]

To me this hole thing comes down to the 3rd year issue. The Lightning want to buy him out of his 3rd year unrestricted rights. Craig wants more per year because of that. That is why his offer is for 2 years, and the team's is for 3. The team believes in him with a 3 year offer; but it also gives them more leverage for future trades. He and his agent know that. The fact is that if you want to buy-out future rights you have to pay for them. At $750K for 3 yrs. the team is being unrealistic, and they know it. If Craig is awarded $650K, as the team suggests, what has Craig lost? Nothing. He gets paid more than last year, has basically a 1 yr. deal I think, and keeps his future rights in-tacked. The team knows that he will be awarded more than $750K; and their offer doesn't reflect Craig's upside potential. Offering $750K for 3 yrs., to me, is crap. If you look at the numbers from both sides, and what the team has structured with others over 3 yrs., there is really not that big of a spread. I do find the team's position and statements on this very interesting though. Is there something larger involved, or have they just taken this stand based of their own cap. number and Craig is last in line? It has me thinking that there maybe a lot more going on here, than meets the eye.

[Another Joe]

I cant believe he turned down 3 years at 750k per year. Thats a good deal for him.

If i were the bolts for a one year contract id go to 850k-900k but thats about it. He hasnt earned it!

Over paying for some players has to be done to keep them but not in this case.

I hope Craig stays but if he doesnt Blair jones should fit in nicely, and he's fast.

[Joe]

Ryan Craig seems to have a fine potential, but he has yet to demonstrate that he is worth as much money as he and his agent demand. Arguably, few were impressed with his numbers from last year, albeit that he experienced some injury problems. From here it appears that Feaster's offer is a fair one giving Ryan three years of guaranteed strong income while allowing the team to hedge against his failure to produce by not straining the budget over the period.

The answer to the Lightning's concerns might be found in a one year contract at something between $750,000 and the $1,000,000 sought by the young man and his representative. If Ryan turns out to be the superstar they think he is, he can negotiate a favorable deal with the Bolts for 2008-9 and beyond.
Otherwise, There is something to be said for the "trade" premise suggested by Feaster (whether he was sincere or just posturing). In actuality, Craig might be used to fetch the reliable sixth defenseman needed by the Bolts.

Many inside people would be surprised if he was awarded $1.2 million by an impartial arbitrator. Some might even suggest that after his performance last season, Ryan has shown some cheek in going to arbitration in the first place.

[Shannon]

Craig is a good player it kinda looks like we're gonna lose him because there are alot of players out there that make 1 million a year that don't score 15 goals a year. It's a shame because guys that can score 15 goals on your lower lines are a valuable asset. If the bolts can get Craig for under a million they'll be lucky. If he could only skate he'd be worth it.