Time to Man Up - Patrick O'Sullivan

First off Carla keep your articles coming since they are the best ones on this site. Secondly I know you fans that have never played pro sports dont understand how it works but what Carla is saying as a lawyer and fan are true so dont rip her for being right!!!! Sure I have only played minor league baseball, so I never got to the bigs but everythign she said about players controlling were they stay is true because I have friends that have gotten to the bigs, and i understand how it works. As a fan it sucks but if P O wanted to sign a contract he would but he wants to get top dollar so that is what he is doing, and since this is is job hat is his right. I am sorry to say but he is no loyality to the Kings he did not grow up in LA, so give him a break. I was drafted my the Padres, and if I ever has the chance I would jump ship to the Angels if I could, becuase I dont care about the Padres!!! That is how sports work, I am sorry if I told u somthing you did not know!!! Thanks for the great articles Carla and keep them coming, and I am sorry for the fans that dont understand!!!

Brandon Higelin

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Originally Posted by bhigs33

I am sorry to say but he is no loyality to the Kings he did not grow up in LA, so give him a break.

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Yikes!! I never intended to suggest O'Sullivan has no loyalty to the Kings. I also have never heard or read anything that said that either. There could be a lot of reasons why no deal is in place - lack of loyalty is a suggestion that I question.

O'Sullivan has more than once talked about how he wants to be part of the process that helps this team win. How a player becomes loyal to an organization can happen many ways. In fact, in my experience, the players who sign contracts with the teams where they grew up often does not work. Let's hope Doughty is the exception on that one since he is a long time Kings' fan.

(Thanks for the kind words - they were very appreciated.)

I believe everything will work out. O'Sullivan will have a contract by the time we're getting loopy together in Vegas. Rate this a mitchrock5!

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Originally Posted by mitchrock

I believe everything will work out. O'Sullivan will have a contract by the time we're getting loopy together in Vegas. Rate this a mitchrock5!

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Sulli is going to look sweet in one of those Russian uniforms. Take the money then come back in three years and sign a huge deal.

The NBA players are taking the tax free money from Europe. If it is tax free in Russia go and play for a few years and make bank and then come back if you choose too.

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Originally Posted by Ice24

Sulli is going to look sweet in one of those Russian uniforms. Take the money then come back in three years and sign a huge deal.

The NBA players are taking the tax free money from Europe. If it is tax free in Russia go and play for a few years and make bank and then come back if you choose too.

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a 26-year old player returning to the NHL after what was seemingly a contract issue over what was clearly money indicated by his defection to the KHL, and only having one full year of NHL experience, ain't going to get anyone a huge deal. in fact, it would almost certainly have a negative impact on how he's viewed by general managers throughout the league.

so far there are only 2 real interesting defections to the KHL that matter at all. one is obviously Alexander Radulov because of his age and talent. we'll see in a year how completely alienating everyone associated with the Nashville Predators, including its fans, effects his return... if he does. the other is Ray Emery, who NEEDED to make this move to get his head screwed on straight. Ray is someone who this may affect positively, as his age and a good progress report for a tough liver in a tough place to live just might resurrect a once-promising career.

If the player places his trust in the agent, then he needs to do that: trust his agent. The player may make an error in his pick of an agent, and O'Sullivan may be making an error in trusting his current agent, but that is something O'Sulivan has to live with, and its probably the most reasonable thing for him to do. The agent has the world experience Patrick as a young man lacks and is so is more likely to make good choices. (not saying anyone is perfect, no one is) I do not think it unreasonable for players to hire a professional, tell him in general I'd like to sign, call me when its finished. Letting clients hear the day to day dealings wears out the client; part of the agent's fee is handling that.

So I'm not sure management is totally in control. Look at Elton Brand and the Clippers. They paid him big bucks even though he was hurt, tried to sign him to a near maximum contract coming off an injury year, and it sure looks like his agent Falk screwed the Clippers. It sure sounded like the Clippers thought they had a deal in place, and Falk took Brand somewhere else without giving the Clippers another shot. Who knows what Falk told Brand, but it would be easy for him to manipulate the situation.

For the Kings, the player's agent is something management has to factor in to its decision making process. I mean, O'Sullivan at say $3 milliion a year might be "core" but unless he grows 6 inches and adds 40 lbs of muscle, O'Sullivan at $5.5 million a year probably means the Kings lack cap space and we finish last or near last in the league. Or maybe O'Sullivan continues to progress and deserves the 5.5 even if he does not grow. Its not such an easy choice for O'Sullivan or his agent to decide on a short term (more risk) or long term (possibly less money) contract. Hopefully DL gives him good choices.

Great post and good insights. STH hoping we sign O'Sullivan, Kopitar and Johnson soon

PS if Helene Elliot points on Yahoo are right and the NHL should reduce ticket prices 10-15%, then the players are then overpaid by approximately that amount.

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Originally Posted by gescom

a 26-year old player returning to the NHL after what was seemingly a contract issue over what was clearly money indicated by his defection to the KHL, and only having one full year of NHL experience, ain't going to get anyone a huge deal. in fact, it would almost certainly have a negative impact on how he's viewed by general managers throughout the league.

so far there are only 2 real interesting defections to the KHL that matter at all. one is obviously Alexander Radulov because of his age and talent. we'll see in a year how completely alienating everyone associated with the Nashville Predators, including its fans, effects his return... if he does. the other is Ray Emery, who NEEDED to make this move to get his head screwed on straight. Ray is someone who this may affect positively, as his age and a good progress report for a tough liver in a tough place to live just might resurrect a once-promising career.

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I hope you are right. Do you know if it is tax free?

Some players that are fringe players may make the switch to the KHL. If they are $3 mil players in the NHL, they may make the switch to the KHL for 4 mil tax free.

If they are young without a wife and kids they may want to chase the money.

I don't question Sully's character. He grew up very nicely, especially considering his crazy father and tough childhood.

A few things that may be in play are: Agents work as a team with their clients, it is likely the agent is busting balls on his clients behalf. There is a possibility that, and I know this is a longshot <grin>, that Patty O tells the press and you fans that "He wants to stay here and finish the process with this group" like every good team player does while (and heres the tough part...) wanting nothing more than to get the hell out of here and FAST. Players, like most reasonable fans, dont want to hear about a championship in 2-5 years, they want to play on competitive teams NOW. They want to play for teams whose GMs, coaches and players say things like "Our goal is the cup." and not things like "We are rebuilding" and "in a few years we hope to make the playoffs again." and "We arent going to make a big splash in the UFA market."

Maybe Patty O is just hoping a good team will realize his value and make an offer sheet that ties DL's hands either because of Kopi/johnson contracts -or- an owner who does not want to spend dick on his hockey team... prior to Hossa signing w/ DET, I sincerely was hoping that Holland would do the huge offer on Patty O... because (and I mean this as a huge compliment) I think he plays 'Redwing' hockey very well. (Solid 2-way play, good on PP, solid on PK... a well rounded guy.)

Maybe if he feels he is being forced (by RFA rules) to stay in LA he wants to at least make a bunch of dough to take to the next, better, market in a year or so... I mean if you arent gonna be rich in Silver in June, then you may as well be rich in gold all year... right?

Dave from Ontario

PS: I totally side w/ Naysay re: the earlier battle royale re: Kansas City, and I firmly believe there is legs to the theory.

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Originally Posted by desdave

<grin>PS: I totally side w/ Naysay re: the earlier battle royale re: Kansas City, and I firmly believe there is legs to the theory.

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You should have STARTED with this sentence, it would've saved a lot of my time. I actually thought about Kansas City when I read "</grin> There is a possibility that, and I know this is a longshot , that Patty O tells..." - I thought to myself, here's another one who makes theories based on what is "possible." You know, it's also possible that Lidström wants to get out of Detroit as fast as he can. It's possible that he wants to play for the Kings. It's also possible that you were adopted and your cousin is Osama bin Laden. Now somebody please create a conspiracy theory that includes Osama bin Laden, Kings and Lidström. You know you can do it, boys!