Big-Name Players Being Bought Out
In preparation for the free agent market set to open on July 1, the National Hockey League’s waiver wire is burning up. TSN reported on Monday that several big-name players were placed on waivers by their teams. If these players go unclaimed, their respective teams will eat up the costs and buy out their contracts in order to sever ties.
One of the biggest names on the waiver list is Jonathan Cheechoo. The eight-year veteran should still have some gas in his tank, but after a horrid 2009-10 season Ottawa has given up on him. Cheechoo’s performance totals have been steadily declining since his phenomenal 93 point season for the San Jose Sharks in 2005-06. In 2006-07, Cheechoo had a still respectable 67 points. Cheechoo then declined even further and had 37 points the following year, and 29 the year after that.
For the Senators, Cheechoo played 61 games and had only 14 points. He was even sent down the American Hockey League affiliate Binghamton Senators for a 25-game stint in an attempt to revive his game. It is reported that Ottawa would owe him $3.5 million due on the final year of a five-year deal he originally signed with the San Jose Sharks.
This isn’t the first time the Sens have flirted with waiving the struggling Cheechoo. He was placed on the waiver wire in February after Ottawa acquired centre Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes. After clearing waivers, Cheechoo was sent to play in Binghamton.
Another big name hitting the waiver wire is Calgary Flames right wing Ales Kotalik. Kotalik was traded to the Flames in the middle of last season by the New York Rangers due to his failure to produce there, and continued his meagre performance in Calgary. After being a solid 15-25 goal scorer for the Buffalo Sabres early in his career, Kotalik made less than 20 goals in his last two seasons combined.
Although he played in a total of 71 games last season, Kotalik put up only 21 points in 45 games for the Rangers and added five points in 26 appearances for Calgary. Reports theorize that Kotalik’s salary will haunt the Flames’ salary cap to the tune of $1 million per year for the next four years.
Both of these players are at points in their career where they should be top performers, but seem to have burnt out after strong starts. Kotalik was always a mid-level player, so his woes are unfortunate but not entirely unexpected. Besides a 2005-06 season of 62 points, Kotalik tended to hover in the mid-30 range. Cheechoo’s fall from grace is much more disconcerting. For anyone to have 93 points in one season, and then not be able to even maintain a roster spot on an average team is troublesome.
Given the consistency of Cheechoo’s downward trajectory, it seems unlikely the winger will ever recover. Although he is in peak physical shape still, Cheechoo’s confidence and mental game have been decimated by such a steady decline. Cheechoo still holds the San Jose franchise record for most goals in a season with 56, but was only able to score five goals in 62 NHL appearances last season.
Kotalik seems more likely to return to form. He does not have the pressure of having to be a “star” like Cheechoo and if picked up by the right team should be able to put up his supporting numbers as a No. 3 or No. 4 right wing. If bought out, both players will be extremely affordable in the free agent market, and it is certain that risk-seeking or desperate owners will pick up both of them in hopes of seeing glimmers of their past performances.
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