Mikko Koivu signs 7 year deal

[lumm0x]

Wild absolutely had to hang on to one of their better players. I am in agreement that it is slightly excessive money, but I think there is a "location factor" that is included in that. I can't knock them for the signing. It does set a precent for agents though and there will be alot of "Koivu's contract" references in future negotiations I am sure.

 

[bidds55]

I watched all but about 20 Wild games last year, and I can honestly say that they aren't overpaying for Koivu at that price. He didn't take a home town discount either, but it's fair value, and a good deal both ways IMO. I really hope they move Latendresse and Havlat onto his line for this year- I think Koivu could break through 85 points with Havlat on his wing.
I suspect it'll be Cullen in the middle of those two instead though.

 

[Danno79]

Talent: Its a matter of opinion, Sheldon Souray probably thinks he is the most talented dman in the league. But what about his production?
Physical ability: How is this measured? Bench press? No.....its about productivity. Hits etc. As pointed out, Crosby hits more than Koivu.
Playing both ends of the ice: +5. He'll have to do better than that.
Great leadership: Look at the record of the team that he "leads". What is their win/loss record? Division titles? Playoff success? Stanley Cups?

"Pinky and the brain"?? :laugh:

I hate to break the news but one of them just won the Art Ross as scoring champ and the Hart trophy. wned:

Now thats productivity.

You have to realize that Mikko is younger and will soon enter his prime. And since you are all about scoring numbers lets take a look at the numbers:

Mikko Koivu: 5 Seasons: 362GP 79G 176A 255P

Lets look at the Sedin twins stats their first 5 years in the league:

Henrik Sedin: 5 Seasons: 400GP 62G 159A 216P
Daniel Sedin: 5 Seasons: 397GP 83G 139A 222P

Looks like Koivu has more points in less games and that is without the supporting cast that the Sedins had in Vancouver. Give it time. If the Wild could get Koivu some decent linemates I could see him putting up similar if not better numbers than the Sedins. Can you imagine if Koivu had a clone of himself on the same line???

Maybe you are just jealous Vancouver couldn't snag him. wned:


-Dan

 

[Hama]

For what he brings to the table - I can see it.

Keep in mind - this is a player who if actually given the opportunity, would be an elite offensive player. He's also one of the few players in the NHL that you can plug into any important role, he will excel at. He is definitely capable of producing on offense in a big way, and also able to be a Selke award winner and dominate in that role too.

Question is - are there actually any players left that are willing to sacrifice in some way financially in order to actually keep special teams intact anymore? They will be few and far between...

 

[FlyerGuy22]

You have to realize that Mikko is younger and will soon enter his prime. And since you are all about scoring numbers lets take a look at the numbers:

Mikko Koivu: 5 Seasons: 362GP 79G 176A 255P

Lets look at the Sedin twins stats their first 5 years in the league:

Henrik Sedin: 5 Seasons: 400GP 62G 159A 216P
Daniel Sedin: 5 Seasons: 397GP 83G 139A 222P

Looks like Koivu has more points in less games and that is without the supporting cast that the Sedins had in Vancouver. Give it time. If the Wild could get Koivu some decent linemates I could see him putting up similar if not better numbers than the Sedins. Can you imagine if Koivu had a clone of himself on the same line???

Maybe you are just jealous Vancouver couldn't snag him. wned:


-Dan

So your comparison is essentially saying that the Sedin twins should be getting more than they are now, but they should have been getting it since BEFORE the 2006/07 season (when they finished their 5th season - a year younger than Koivu finishing his fifth)?

 

[v3rs3]

I'm a huge Mikko fan. I actually have become sort of a Minnesota Wild fan just b/c I tune into their games on Center Ice to watch him play. I believe he is the most underrated player in the NHL for the past couple years. The amount he does for that team with no help is amazing. Backstrom and Mikko pretty much carry that team. I really feel bad for those guys b/c I know that would get very frustrating to me if my organization wouldn't get anyone around me with talent.

 

[wildfan1833]

To everyone that says Koivu's being overpaid:

get him some people to play with.

I agree 100%. If we had some top tier players that could play with him you would be thinking hes underpaid. Great Job Wild. Now lets go get a few more guys and make a good run this year

GO :wild: GO

 

[Boom Boom]

To everyone that says Koivu's being overpaid:

get him some people to play with.

The greats of the past have always managed to make those around them better. Although I agree with you that he could be a better player with higher caliber players around him.....wouldnt any player in the league for that matter?

Im not saying hes a terrible player, hes obviously quite talented....a force in the faceoff circle for sure. Im saying he still has alot to prove yet for that kind of money. When I see he is going to be making more than this years reigning Art Ross/Hart Trophy winner in a year, I think to myself its a bit much to pay. But thats just my opinion. It would seem by the other posts that Im not the only one who feels that way.

That being said, I see there are alot of passionate Wild fans on here. I congratulate you on locking up your franchise player that is obviously loved by his fans.

 

[cburt]

Another good player getting elite player money. Anyone who thinks we're not heading for another work stoppage is fooling themselves.

Darren

Very true. 5.4 Mil. for a guy who won't ever score beyond the 70 point range is ludicrous. Don't get me wrong, he's good, but as the above quote says, not elite. That kind of salary is getting close to elite range.

 

[cburt]

Solid signing for a very under rated player. He reminds me a lot of Hossa, who gets a bad rap for not scoring 120 points a year for some reason. They are identical players, good scorers, great passers, willing to throw the body, fore check like mad men, and play incredible defense. There are players making more in the league who don't bring as much to the table. I would take Mikko over any of these players who make the same or more; Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, Brian Campbell, Marian Hossa (same player but Koivu is younger), Patrick Kane, Brad Richards, Shawn Horcoff, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden, Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Daniel Briere, Kimmo Timonen, JS Giguere, Dion Phaneuf, and Roberto Luongo (who I still can't believe makes twice as much as Brodeur). Just my opinion, I just think he's a very solid signing for the price compared to what other players are making.

The only guy's from that list that I would take over Mikko would be J. Thorton, D. Heatley, Kane, B. Ricards and D. Alfredsson. Koivu is not in their league. Doens't matter what kind of all-round game he brings to the table. When you compare him to these guy's, their superior offensive skills override that all-round player point. Most teams would take a J. Thorton or P. Kane over Mikko any day of the week.

Signing was a bit long, but he is only 27 and this deal will take him likely to the end of his career there.

 

[wildfan1833]

The greats of the past have always managed to make those around them better. Although I agree with you that he could be a better player with higher caliber players around him.....wouldnt any player in the league for that matter?

I'm not saying hes a terrible player, hes obviously quite talented....a force in the faceoff circle for sure. Im saying he still has alot to prove yet for that kind of money. When I see he is going to be making more than this years reigning Art Ross/Hart Trophy winner in a year, I think to myself its a bit much to pay. But thats just my opinion. It would seem by the other posts that Im not the only one who feels that way.

That being said, I see there are alot of passionate Wild fans on here. I congratulate you on locking up your franchise player that is obviously loved by his fans.

This is true but there were less teams back than and better players on the same team. Koivu Can do it. He just needs some guys that are better than a C+ on the team

 

[Burner]

The greats of the past have always managed to make those around them better. Although I agree with you that he could be a better player with higher caliber players around him.....wouldnt any player in the league for that matter?

Im not saying hes a terrible player, hes obviously quite talented....a force in the faceoff circle for sure. Im saying he still has alot to prove yet for that kind of money. When I see he is going to be making more than this years reigning Art Ross/Hart Trophy winner in a year, I think to myself its a bit much to pay. But thats just my opinion. It would seem by the other posts that Im not the only one who feels that way.

That being said, I see there are alot of passionate Wild fans on here. I congratulate you on locking up your franchise player that is obviously loved by his fans.

okay, but how about wingers a little better than an aging Andrew Brunette, Eric Belanger, Owen Nolan, PM Bouchard or Mark Parrish. He never played with Gaborik or Demitra or even Havlat, not on a regular basis.

He's no Crosby or Ovechkin and he's not being paid like them either, but he's extremely talented. He'd be getting as much, if not more, as a free agent next year from another team looking to find a #1 center.

Players I'd compare him to like Getzlaf and Richards have better wingers on a bad day than Koivu has ever had at his best. The fact that he's averaged 70 points in the last 2 years with absolutely nothing to play with and all the while playing in all facets a forward can play is a VERY big accomplishment and something not to be looked over when discussing Koivu, his salary or his worth to his team.

 

[supercec]

It is overpayment, but Koivu is still young, and can step it up another notch (offensively) which would make this contract good. I would like to see what he can do with a sniper on his wing. Anyways he is locked up through probably the most productive years of his NHL career, so it could turn out really well for the Wild.

 

[Iceman]

Another good player getting elite player money. Anyone who thinks we're not heading for another work stoppage is fooling themselves.

Darren

There's still a cap. If there's a work stoppage, it'll be because the players want one, not the owners.

 

[dahabsfan]

There's still a cap. If there's a work stoppage, it'll be because the players want one, not the owners.

The irresponsible contracts being offered up give that much more leverage to the players to head for a stoppage. Add Bettman's worst nightmare into the picture with Donald Fehr possibly heading the PA and we're looking at another lengthy stoppage.

Darren

 

[timber09]

You have to realize that Mikko is younger and will soon enter his prime. And since you are all about scoring numbers lets take a look at the numbers:

Mikko Koivu: 5 Seasons: 362GP 79G 176A 255P

Lets look at the Sedin twins stats their first 5 years in the league:

Henrik Sedin: 5 Seasons: 400GP 62G 159A 216P
Daniel Sedin: 5 Seasons: 397GP 83G 139A 222P

Looks like Koivu has more points in less games and that is without the supporting cast that the Sedins had in Vancouver. Give it time. If the Wild could get Koivu some decent linemates I could see him putting up similar if not better numbers than the Sedins. Can you imagine if Koivu had a clone of himself on the same line???

Maybe you are just jealous Vancouver couldn't snag him. wned:


-Dan

If you are arguing that he was more productive in his first five years than the Sedins you should note that Henrik and Daniel were in the league and playing shortly after their 20th birthday while it took Mikko more than two more years to get to the show. He is younger, but only by 2+ years, not a ton.

For those of you that are saying they should get some better talent around him don't you think that would be significantly easier to do if he would have taken less money?

I watched a lot of Wild games this year and Koivu is certainly a good player in this league and a valuable captain for MN - but he isn't an elite player and certainly not in the top 15 in the league - there are players that are more overpaid sure, but that doesn't mean that he isn't.

 

[Sports Guru]

Good reply timber09. I agree with you and am of the opinion that Mikko Koivu is really a great pick even if he was signed by another one. My daily sports and sports magazine sense claims that he is of a big stature that’s why he’s signed for 7 years with these bucks. Isn’t it?