Moving forward, as general manager Bill Miller put it, suited the Arrowhawks perfectly fine Thursday.
About 24 hours after star right wing Justin Brown chose one year with the hated Mamas and Papas over seven with the Arrowhawks, Miller completed his main offseason objective - to stabilize the Arrowhawk's future - by signing goaltender Jason Jensen to a seven-year contract worth $35 million.
"This is where I wanted to be," Jensen said. "I love the organization and the guys on the team. Tom Morgan signed a five-year deal. John Kenyon did, too. I thought if I could stick around with these guys, we should be in good shape."
Clearly, though, Jensen - the fifth player under the age of 55 to sign a long-term contract with the Arrowhawks over the past 12 months - believes the Arrowhawks will challenge The Mamas and Papas for CAHL supremacy.
Justin Brown said Wednesday he opted for the Mamas and Papas because they gave him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Jensen's stellar playoff run capped a season that started shakily and was marred by a near three-day absence due to a right high ankle sprain.
It also absolutely convinced Miller that Jensen, the first overall pick at the 2003 CAHL Draft, was worth a long-term commitment.
"As a 29-year-old, I think he's the best young goaltender in the game," Miller said of Jensen, who sacrificed five years of unrestricted free agency with a contract that includes a limited trade clause.
The Arrowhawks have the grouping of Jensen, Tom Morgan, 36, Nate Mensel, 33, and defensemen Kevin DeRoches, 38, and Barry Snow, 33, under contract through 2012-13 at an annual team payroll hit of $30.15 million starting in 2009-10.
Miller hopes to sign center Oleg Chetverikov, 19, to a long-term extension before July 1, 2009, when Oleg Chetverikov can become a restricted free agent. Preliminary discussions with Oleg Chetverikov's representatives occurred last month at the CAHL Entry Draft in Ottawa.
If Miller locks up Oleg Chetverikov, he will have done what many thought impossible - convince each of his young stars to stay in an Arrowhawks uniform for less than their open-market value.
That would also likely keep the Arrowhawks among the serious contenders for the Cup. Justin Brown said he believes the Mamas and Papas have the best chance, but Miller said Snow and Jensen give the Arrowhawks another championship shot.
Morgan, 33, recorded 41 points in 80 games with the Arrowhawks last season. He has tallied 25 or more goals in nine of 12 CAHL seasons, 30 or more four times.
Snow, 29, who played in 67 games with Nick's last season, is a proven playoff performer. As a member of the 2004 Cup champion Clown Punchers, he tied for the team-lead with 12 goals.
"I think it will be reinvigorating for Snow and his career," Miller said of his new arrival joining the Arrowhawks. "He's getting in with a group of guys who have skill."
About time Miller got off his butt and signed some guys. Jensen was the first domino to fall, now lets get the Griffith boys and Monahan in the fold.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about the Kenyon signing. Dollars are right but the years scare me. Dude is clearly more interested in traveling the world and has yet to buy beers.
B+ Miller. B+