Monday afternoon notes: Hockey world still buzzing over Rinne, Payne & Hitchcock

16. Brodeur wouldn’t come right out and say it, but indicated he wants to play again next year. Asked which goalie he likes watching, he immediately picked Pekka Rinne.

17. Very interesting reactions to Rinne’s new deal with Nashville. “Statement contract,” said one exec. “Fair deal for both sides,” said another. That seems to be the majority opinion. Saw some media claiming that $7 million is too much for a goalie, but I disagree here. This is not just about a goalie. This is about a franchise that becomes the Kansas City Royals or Pittsburgh Pirates if it doesn’t get at least one of Rinne/Suter/Weber signed and soon.

18. One agent explained why Rinne was the most signable. Since the lockout, the largest UFA deal for a goaltender is four years and $27 million for Khabibulin in Chicago. (Technically, Ilya Bryzgalov never hit the market). High-level defencemen tend to do much better. That gave Rinne more incentive a take a big-money contract sooner. However, if they didn’t get it done in the very near future, he was going to stop negotiating and take his chances. Wisely, the Predators got it done.

Look at Thomas’ contract. In 2009 it was 6 million. avg was 5 million a year. That was in 09. I think that would be comparable to Rinne’s deal now, but no one was screaming then. I was a little shocked by the amount, but the cap hit isnt an issue for us. The real dollars are the only issue for this team

Think about how much more exciting watching the Preds is because of Pekka’s ninja-like saves. You come, you see a great product on the ice with lots of excitement, you come back. You keep coming back, you get hooked and some become STHs. When I first came to a game, I never, ever expected to become a STH. Didn’t even think I’d have a good time.

Star power brings in fans for sure. Pekka has it.

…and I know I’m late to the party. However…

Pekka Rinne is a proven elite goalie in his prime. This is not debatable. So, if you want to keep him, you have to pay him or someone else will. Did the Predators over pay him? Absolutely not. They paid him what the market says he is worth. He is right in line with Luongo and Bryzgalov comparatively. In between them in fact. The only difference is Rinne’s contract comes without a cap cheat.

If anything, the contract length could be up for debate. You must keep in mind, however, a 3 year contract is going to cost you around 8M per and a 4 year probably <7.5M so you can’t just whittle off a couple of years and ask why he isn’t extended through 2015 for 21M.

The question really boils down to this: Do you want elite players on you team or not? In shocking news, the Preds see a window of opportunity and plan to try and retain the three elite players currently on the roster. …oh wait, that’s the one consistent public statement coming from all levels of management repeatedly since last spring.

Could this bite the Preds? Yes. Obviously. Questioning whether or not this is the right move is completely reasonable, especially given that we have become accustomed to getting above average goaltending, basically since day one. It is however exactly what the Preds said they were going to do. Sign their core, who just so happen to be three of the very best players in the world at their respective positions, and all in their prime. …and, in related news, for those of you who didn’t like Pekka’s contract, you really aren’t going to care for Suter’s.