A Couple of Days Late...

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 3, 2008 1:23 PM MDT

Salei: You really screwed that up, Jeff.
Finger: Yeah, but I have compromising photos of Cliff Fletcher. I'll be OK.

So, entering the unrestricted free agency season, I projected Jeff Finger and Kurt Sauer to fly under the radar. I guess I was half right. Here's what I said about the two players, one of whom is a bargain (1.75M/yr) and the other is a boat anchor (3.5M/yr):

Prior to Foote's acquisition, Clark and Sauer were thrown at the tough opponents, Hannan and Salei the middling, and Finger and Liles got mop-up duty.

Sauer posted a bizarrely good 2.81 GFON/60 vs. 1.70 GAON/60 - this against the very best in the NHL. Amazing number. Finger had good numbers too (3.00 GFON/60, 2.38 GAON/60).

Even-strength, Finger can probably play middling opponents with some success, but he doesn't even come close to Sauer, or add a dimension the Oilers lack.

The other thing about Sauer is that he probably wouldn't cost very much at all.

I didn't say it, but I didn't think Finger would get very much either. 1-2M/yr range.

Finger might be an OK second-pairing guy, and no matter what Wilson and Fletcher think, he isn't a tough-minutes shut-down player. They're either stupid, lying or both.

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Daniel Tolensky from hockeybuzz (I know, horrible site but Tolensky has some good stuff) has a great blog regarding the Finger, Sauer contracts.

It sure does look like Toronto signed the wrong guy:-)

Worth a read if you haven't already.

by Knamely Lacked on Jul 3, 2008 1:48 PM MDT reply actions

Daniel Tolensky from hockeybuzz (I know, horrible site but Tolensky has some good stuff) has a great blog regarding the Finger, Sauer contracts.

I did. I actually do like Tolensky (who you'll notice uses Vic Ferrari's TOI tool, and Desjardins numbers, so I'm guessing he follows the Oilersphere) and some of the other writers on Eklund's site, but I refuse to post a link to Hockeybuzz because I find Eklund himself to be repugnant and he doesn't need my help making money.

by Jonathan Willis on Jul 3, 2008 4:05 PM MDT reply actions

" I refuse to post a link to Hockeybuzz because I find Eklund himself to be repugnant and he doesn't need my help making money."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Must say I love Vic's TOI/shift chart tool as well.

by Knamely Lacked on Jul 3, 2008 6:48 PM MDT reply actions

I love it. Especially because Ron Wilson thinks himself so smart. And the Leafs thought Cliff Fletcher was the best man for their rebuild.

This GM'ing stuff needs real smarts or something.

by NormanMendoza on Jul 3, 2008 9:39 PM MDT reply actions

On June 30 I was looking at Jeff Finger as the poor man's Kurt Sauer, and to see him getting double the money is nothing short of astonishing. He's virtually certain to be an overpay even if he plays well ... that's the kind of guy you have to slip in under radar. (e.g. Jan Hejda)

by Bruce on Jul 4, 2008 9:05 PM MDT reply actions

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