To many, this article may just be stating the obvious. To me, it’s proof of how far I have come on Curtis Glencross.
I believe in the guy. I’m impressed by how far he’s come. I’m impressed by the tools, the production, and more than anything, the consistency.
Am I a huge Curtis Glencross fan? Not really. I don’t own a #20 jersey and haven’t always been impressed with his demeanour. But it doesn’t change how valuable he is to this hockey team, and how, in the world of salary caps and multi-million dollar contracts, he’s one of, if not the best value in the league.
Three and a half years ago, Glencross was viewed as a fourth liner with the Oilers, and wasn’t exactly given top priority on July first.
15 months ago, Glencross was a healthy scratch, at odds with head coach Brent Sutter, and, in a contract year, seemed an inevitable traveller to greener pastures.
Always a big issue for Glencross, was opportunity. Despite what others thought, he viewed himself as a top-six forward. Cocky? maybe. Unsatisfied? Certainly. It turns out, he may have been right all along.
When he caught fire last season in the second half, and the Flames were hovering around mediocrity, it seemed to many, a perfect time to deal him at the deadline. Instead, he re-signed a four year deal worth 2.55 million a season, complete with a no-trade clause.
At the time, given the silliness of the free-agent season, it certainly appeared he left some money on the table after a career high 23 goal, 43-point season. After July 1st, it was CLEAR he did. And now? Curtis Glencross appears to be one of the best bang for the buck players in the entire National Hockey League.
Glencross was Calgary’s leading goal scorer when he went down with a knee injury in San Jose January 17th. 15 games later, he made his return to the lineup, and hasnt missed a beat. With Tuesday’s one-goal, two-assist performance against the Habs, he stretched his goal scoring streak to five, and has managed seven points in seven games since returning, all this on a team seemingly desperate for depth scoring.
Despite missing 15 games, Glencross is on pace for the first 30-goal, 50-point season of his career, and contrry to the usual itinerary, it comes int he FIRST year of a new contract.
Three more years, at 2.55 million dollars. That’s nearly a third of Jarome Iginla’s salary, almost a million less than Rene Bourques, and a full million less than Matt Stajans. In an era where we love to point out managerial flaws, blood thirsty media and fans call every deal an overpayment. Grabovski in Toronto? Awful. Hemsky re-signs in Edmonton? Foolish! Pekka Rinne in Nashville? Atrocious!
People are idiots.
But even for idiots – it’s impossible to call into question anything Curtis Glencross does at this pricetag. Listed below are what I consider to be the best value deals in the NHL today. (7-10 million dollar superstars and ELC’s not included)
To me, there are only two deals that are clearly tough to deny as better bang for the buck than Glencross:
Claude Giroux – Flyers – Two more years at 3.75 mil.
- The term is less than Glencross, but Giroux is a superstar who should instantly vault into the 7-8million dollar range in 2014-2015.
-Kris Letang – Penguins – Two more years at 3.5 million
He’s battled concussion problems this season, but when healthy, he’s a Norris trophy candidate who will put up 75 points with a healthy Crosby and Malkin. He should be a 6.5 million dollar blueliner
Here are the other value contracts:
Stephane Robidas – Stars – Two more years at 3 million
-Underrated. Rocky Steady. Leader. Throw Daley, Eriksson, and Ryder into the mix, and it’s no wonder Dallas is a big story on a small budget.
Stephen Weiss – Panthers – One more year at 3.1 million.
-Two years ago, I thought this contract was the best in the NHL, and with only one year to go, Weiss, a hugely underrated player and leader, will finally be due the big raise he deserves.
Dustin Brown – Kings – Two more years at 3.175 million.
-It seems silly that Brown’s name was floated around on deadline week. The Captain of the Kings is built for the postseason and would be a great addition to any of the 30 clubs in the league.
Max Pacioretty – Habs – One more year at 1.625 million.
-”Patches” is one of the lone bright spots on an awful Montreal team. On pace for 34 goals and 62 points. Montreal won’t enjoy his affordable price tag for long. 2007 late first-rounders like this are good examples of why I can be critical of Mikael Backlund. It’s time for him to produce.
Matt Moulson – NYI – Two more years at 3.13 million.
-Moulson has become one of the most consistent scorers in the NHL, and will eclipse the 30 goal mark for a third straight season. Perfect low budget fit to play alongside John Tavares.
Marc Staal – NYR – Three more years at 3.975 million
-The Rangers have to love the term on this deal. This is the type of contract that would make Jay Bouwmeester a fan favorite. Staal has room to grow offensively, and will play for Canada in 2014 in Sochi. Book it.
Logan Couture – Sharks -Two more years at 2.875 Million
-If Doug Wilson had managed to convince the Couture camp to add another year or two to this deal, it would be the best contract in the league.
Alex Burrows – Canucks – One more year at two million.
-Even Flames fans know this is serious bang for the buck. 28, 35, and 26 goals in each of the last three seasons. Will flirt with 30 again this year. Should be making at least four million
4 Responses to “Curtis Glencross – True Value”
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I picked up on glennie when he was with the cbjackets i liked the back story provost/playing for brooks/ect.when he started playing for the oil i was happy for him but when Calgary got him I claimed him as my own and now \i look like a Genius with my friends.I said to the boys last year the glennie may well be the transitional cap of the flames following IGGYS retirement and i stand by that.
- chad archerI suggest you look at your comments when Curtis Glencross signed his contract last year. You roasted the signing. Rob Kerr to his credit gave Glencross a podium to express his hurt at the station’s comments. At that time Glencross felt he took a significant paycut to stay in Calgary.
- DaveMaybe it is time to give him credit for doing so.
Finally you are acknowledging that he was a key piece that needed to be signed last year… how does the shoe taste cause if my memory serves me correct you and boomer wanted to trade him for draft picks.. unproven 2nd or 3rd rounders that might never make the show.. good thing you are just an “arm chair GM”…
- JerryDave and Jerry
By all means – Glencross gets credit for taking a discount. In retrospect, it’s a HUGE discount…
Given the Flames position at the deadline a season ago – My opinion was that anyone and everyone should have been traded. Who knows what return the Flames would have received, but they ended up not making playoffs.
I said the same things this year, and I stand by it. Glencross has been awesome, but it doesn’t change my opinion of what this team needs to do.. being less than mediocre sucks. for everyone.
When Glencross was signed, the only thing that we discussed was the NTC -because feaster had just commented how they had to get away fromt hat. we all agreed the price was right. what Rob Kerr did or didn’t do was up to him.
- Andrew