Which "prove it" player will have the most successful year?

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Which "prove it" contract player will have the most successful season?

Dany Heatley
0
No votes
Mike Ribeiro
2
18%
Derek Roy
0
No votes
Michael Del Zotto
4
36%
Brad Richards
5
45%
 
Total votes: 11

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WaukeeBlues
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Which "prove it" player will have the most successful year?

Post by WaukeeBlues »

Quite a few former heavyweights in the NHL this offseason have signed one year deals for $2 million or less under the "prove it" idea that if they have a decent season they get their careers to continue. Even former greats like Heatley and Richards have been relegated to those types of contracts.

So just to try and spark some discussion on this board, which of these guys you think is most likely to actually make some noise?

I just don't see it happening from Heatley. I think the guy is done. His legs aren't there anymore. Same mostly with Richards, I would've re-signed Handzus instead of Richards if I were the Hawks but whatever.

My money is on either Del Zotto or Ribeiro. Especially with Ribeiro it seems like a lot of his problems and issues were off-ice. Problems he's ostensibly dealt with. Whereas these other guys I think you're seeing more of a talent or athleticism or desire fade.

Discuss.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by STLADOGG »

I got Del Zotto, the kid is still young. I was about to pick Ribero too; but fool me once....
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by Kerfuffle »

I went with Richards because he's on my team AND he's well known for taking every last dollar off the table in contract negotiations. So I expected him to put forth a lot of effort this year to try and land a bigger payday and a 2-3 year deal after this season. I love players in contract years.

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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by STLADOGG »

Kerfuffle wrote:I went with Richards because he's on my team AND he's well known for taking every last dollar off the table in contract negotiations. So I expected him to put forth a lot of effort this year to try and land a bigger payday and a 2-3 year deal after this season. I love players in contract years.
I don't know seems like he will have a smaller role on the Hawks.
You would know better than me though.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by ViPeRx007 »

Del Zotto.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by glen a richter »

When Del Zotto had that solid start to his career, I was lamenting the fact that the Blues didn't draft him. I no longer lament that fact since he kind of sucks now and doesn't play defense. But I think he'll do good, so I'll go with him.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by ecbm »

What, I can't choose Ott? I kid...

I understand going with Del Zotto but to me he is what he is to me and I imagine he'll continue to be that. He's a third-pairing D on a deep team, up to 2nd pairing in a weaker corps. Can move the puck well, skates well, weak in his end.

So I went with Richards, who did a good job of choosing a team/situation that will make him at least look better if not actually make him better heading into his last chance at a decent contract.

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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by dmiles2186 »

You know what they say: If Ribeiro has a big pile of blow, he's good to go.

(No one says that)
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by gaijin »

dmiles2186 wrote:You know what they say: If Ribeiro has a big pile of blow, he's good to go.

(No one says that)
I thought Viper said that.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by ViPeRx007 »

gaijin wrote:
dmiles2186 wrote:You know what they say: If Ribeiro has a big pile of blow, he's good to go.

(No one says that)
I thought Viper said that.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by Oaklandblue »

I have to say Ribs for one simple reason: He went actively looking for a team after getting a major big paycheck cashed out for him. Guy absolutely doesn't need the money, he went to Polie and sold himself. That right there makes me feel that Nashville is going to get the 110% on the ice a game Ribs and he's the guy to watch. Just lock up your ladies. Not sure who said that, but I'm sure it was...someone >.>
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by not_a_wings_fan »

Ribs is done. That dude has serious problems that he isn't going to solve.

Richards is playing with high-end talent on an excellent team. I see him most set up to have a fantastic year as a guy with less expectations and plenty of support.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by Oaklandblue »

not_a_wings_fan wrote:Ribs is done. That dude has serious problems that he isn't going to solve.

Richards is playing with high-end talent on an excellent team. I see him most set up to have a fantastic year as a guy with less expectations and plenty of support.
Ribs is a 50-70 point player. He came through for 47 points last year, 49 the year before and 63 in 11-12 and has gone over 70 3 times in his career including a 83 point run in 07-08. He has the skillset to be a difference maker, so if he's dedicated 110% to the Ice, 50-70 is not as ridiculous a number as it sounds.

This Predators team in general, if it gels and Polie can get the production out of them and Rinne comes back into his form, are going to be a real sleeper team and a possible Cinderella. Spezza might end up kicking himself for not signing with them.

Saying all of that, I'm not a big Ribs fan, but I'm going to give credit where it's due and not hang the guy on all sorts of speculation and possible issues. He went through a divorce. He likes the women. He has a DUI in Dallas which is pretty trumped up. For the Yotes to hang him out to dry reminds me of what Eric Lindros went through in Philly, and I ain't defending anyone here, but I'd like to see a team have a little more decorum than what we saw from the Old Jets. Publically cashing out a player's multi-year contract worth 20+ Million sends the message loud and clear.

Yeah, I'd like to see the guy fly right and make big things happen. I hate to see skill and talent go to waste like that. But that's up to Ribs and he's in the right place to make it happen.

As for the rest?

Richards might surprise, I feel he's still got more in the tank.

Roy is going to be like 5 goals, 22 assists or something.

Heatley should be in jail. The Thrashers were a class act with how much support and love they gave the guy.

Del Zotto is really good but I think his main hurdle is going to be playing for Philly, frankly.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by WaukeeBlues »

Bumped this cause it made me laugh :facepalm:

Michael Del Zotto and Mike Ribeiro with new contracts and new leases on NHL life. Look who called it :mrgreen: :okman:

Heatley is beyond done. Richards might sign somewhere else on the cheap...
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by ecbm »

WaukeeBlues wrote:Richards might sign somewhere else on the cheap...
He signed with Detroit for $3M. Could go to $4M with bonuses. Not as cheap as one might imagine for a guy who scored 37 points in a great squad. But veteran centers aren't cheap.

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ecbm wrote:
WaukeeBlues wrote:Richards might sign somewhere else on the cheap...
He signed with Detroit for $3M. Could go to $4M with bonuses. Not as cheap as one might imagine for a guy who scored 37 points in a great squad. But veteran centers aren't cheap.
Mike, not Brad.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by Oaklandblue »

Ribs moving to Nashville was the best thing for him, no matter how you feel about him. His remaining issue is from before his buyout. I don't hear the guy making excuses and is taking responsibility for his past actions. One risky deal that the Preds came out on top on.

15G, 47A, 62P. 7m for 2 years. A Bonafide 1C.

Last season, I would have signed him and shipped Bergy out. That thought hasn't changed.
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Re: Which "prove it" player will have the most successful ye

Post by ecbm »

WaukeeBlues wrote:
ecbm wrote:
WaukeeBlues wrote:Richards might sign somewhere else on the cheap...
He signed with Detroit for $3M. Could go to $4M with bonuses. Not as cheap as one might imagine for a guy who scored 37 points in a great squad. But veteran centers aren't cheap.
Mike, not Brad.
Ah, got it. Just assumed you meant Brad because he's the "Richards" in the poll.

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Post by WaukeeBlues »

ecbm wrote:
WaukeeBlues wrote:
ecbm wrote:
WaukeeBlues wrote:Richards might sign somewhere else on the cheap...
He signed with Detroit for $3M. Could go to $4M with bonuses. Not as cheap as one might imagine for a guy who scored 37 points in a great squad. But veteran centers aren't cheap.
Mike, not Brad.
Ah, got it. Just assumed you meant Brad because he's the "Richards" in the poll.
I noticed that after I replied haha. My bad.
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