What would you do Wednesday: Dealing with Jim Slater
9 years ago
In this installment of What Would You
Do Wednesday, I want to see what you, the readers, would do with Jim Slater who
is expected to become a free agent next summer. Don’t hold back and fight for
what you believe in.
Do Wednesday, I want to see what you, the readers, would do with Jim Slater who
is expected to become a free agent next summer. Don’t hold back and fight for
what you believe in.
THE SCENARIO
Jim Slater has been the longest
serving member of the Winnipeg Jets/ Atlanta Thrashers franchise, being drafted
in 2003 and making the team full-time during the 2005-06 season. He played 71
games and added 10 goals and 10 assists in his rookie season.
serving member of the Winnipeg Jets/ Atlanta Thrashers franchise, being drafted
in 2003 and making the team full-time during the 2005-06 season. He played 71
games and added 10 goals and 10 assists in his rookie season.
Slater has been a staple in the
Jets/Thrashers locker room, being a member of the team for 10 straight seasons.
After setting relatively high numbers as a rookie, Slater has struggled to add
offensively to the team scoring in recent years.
Jets/Thrashers locker room, being a member of the team for 10 straight seasons.
After setting relatively high numbers as a rookie, Slater has struggled to add
offensively to the team scoring in recent years.
He set a career high in points
(13g+8a=21p) in his first year in Winnipeg. In the following two years the
31-year-old has added a goal and an assist per season, and played under 30
games in both seasons.
(13g+8a=21p) in his first year in Winnipeg. In the following two years the
31-year-old has added a goal and an assist per season, and played under 30
games in both seasons.
Now in the final year of his
three-year, 4.8 million dollar contract, Slater has yet to register a point
while playing in all of Winnipeg’s 16 games this season. One stat worth noting
for Slater is his 57.8 faceoff percentage, which leads all Jets centres this
season.
three-year, 4.8 million dollar contract, Slater has yet to register a point
while playing in all of Winnipeg’s 16 games this season. One stat worth noting
for Slater is his 57.8 faceoff percentage, which leads all Jets centres this
season.
But I am still left wondering if
Slater is still worth keeping around in one of the biggest years in his career.
Slater is still worth keeping around in one of the biggest years in his career.
Options for handling Slater’s
contract in Winnipeg could include:
contract in Winnipeg could include:
· Trying to trade him to a team looking for depth before the NHL
trade deadline, while retaining a portion of his contract.
trade deadline, while retaining a portion of his contract.
· Placing him on waivers, with purpose of sending him to the AHL,
and calling up a centre from St. John’s, giving them an opportunity to get some
NHL experience. Some players that could get called up include John Albert, Eric
O’Dell, Patrice Cormier or Ryan Olsen.
and calling up a centre from St. John’s, giving them an opportunity to get some
NHL experience. Some players that could get called up include John Albert, Eric
O’Dell, Patrice Cormier or Ryan Olsen.
· Keeping him on the roster, allowing him to remain as a good team
player and mentor in the locker room for the remainder of his contract, and the
not resign him next summer.
player and mentor in the locker room for the remainder of his contract, and the
not resign him next summer.
· Sign him to an extension that’s a little more salary cap
friendly and has a shorter term.
friendly and has a shorter term.
HOW IT WORKS
Feel free to lets us know how you
would deal with an under-producing, pending free agent like Slater. Would you
keep him up in the NHL, or send him down to the minors? Would you try trading
him or would you resign him to a new contract? Why? Why not? You’re the GM, you
tell us in What Would You Do Wednesday!
would deal with an under-producing, pending free agent like Slater. Would you
keep him up in the NHL, or send him down to the minors? Would you try trading
him or would you resign him to a new contract? Why? Why not? You’re the GM, you
tell us in What Would You Do Wednesday!
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