Svatos to Arbitration.

by AaronHawn on Jul 5, 2008 7:18 PM MDT Comment 14 comments

Just saw that TSN has a list of players who have filed for salary arbitration with their respective teams. Of interest to us, of course, is that Svatos is on that list.

I don't really understand how he can expect to make more money when it seems that he suffers at least one major injury a season. Of course he can score, which is good - but that is about all the guy can do - he's so small and light-weight that he can't actually play quality defense.

What do you all think? Is this another example of FG trying to low-ball players? I'm unsure. Liles and Wolski both signed deals at a good value, why can't Svatos do the same thing?

Here is a link to the TSN story: TSN Arbitration Story.

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Arbitration for talented RFAs seems rather common to me. I think Svatos is just trying to get some extra dough and wants to see what he can come up with. I don’t blame him. I think his frequent injuries are definitely going to be cited by the team during the hearing, and I think they’ve got a strong case. I’d be surprised to see Svatos awarded much more than the qualifying offer the Avs put in front of him.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Jul 6, 2008 4:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Since the new CBA, arbitration is pretty standard for players at this point in their careers. The QA was an amount set in stone at 110% (I think, correct me if I’m wrong). The Svats Machine and his agent think he’s worth a tad more. The Avs will argue the other way. I don’t see this as one of the bad-blood arbitration cases, just business as usual.

by Mike @ MHH on Jul 6, 2008 6:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

agree with everything above, but it’s an interesting case because of his injury. will the arbitrators do anything with that?

i still think it ends up around 2m or so.

by thedoctor on Jul 6, 2008 6:27 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

He shouldn’t expect to get quite the same amount as Wolski. He has more goals, but his assist production is terrible. Svatos had 26g but only 11a (37pts) where as Woslki had 18g and 30a (48) pts. The injuries EVERY season has to be a concern especially since when you injure/tear an ACL you almost always tear the other one within a year. I wouldn’t expect him to get over 2mil; but you never know.

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jul 6, 2008 9:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I just have a serious problem with the fact that we’re going to arbitration with him in the first place. Like I said above, I liked it when Liles and Wolski seemed to take discounts (or reasonable deals) to stay in Denver.

To me, it makes Svats look selfish when he takes the team to arbitration like this. Then again, to be fair, I don’t know the specifics around the situation – so that is just speculation on my part.

by AaronHawn on Jul 6, 2008 10:42 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Cap space

That’s true, but I feel bad for Footer and Liles now the Avs are sitting on a ton of cap space without actually getting anyone! They could’ve given that money to Liles and Foote THIS year, and made them take a discount the year afterwards or something.
I just feel this much Cap space is gonna come back and hurt us.
And I’m sure Foote and Liles don’t feel happy about it.

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Jul 7, 2008 3:04 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that Svatos seems a bit selfish, mostly because he has filed for arbitration for the second time in as many years (isn’t there a limit on how many times a player can go to arbitration?). But then again I don’t know if it’s because the Avs were really trying to low ball him, or if he really thinks he is worth a lot.

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jul 7, 2008 9:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh

im not so sure it’s selfish. he’s a in a bad spot—he’s injury prone, so no one will risk an offer sheet on him. since that’s the only thing that drives up salary costs for RFA-class youth, he’s kind of stuck with going to arbitration as his only route for pay raises.

I just worry that the Avs have driven him away a little. If he was to suddenly pull things together this year, and stay healthy, I wonder if he’d come back.

by thedoctor on Jul 7, 2008 9:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

With the UFA market thin on talent on talent this year, I’m not so sure Svatos didn’t file for arbitration for protection from offer sheets. I think it’s a sign he wants to stay with the Avs and wanted to protect himself and the club. Pure speculation on my part.

Don't Go, Joe!

by texacogirl on Jul 7, 2008 12:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s definitely the other explanation. I hope it’s true—I like svatos as a 2nd line scorer, he never gives up, and I like keeping home grown talent around. I think him and Hensick could be a terrifying speed demon pair on the 2nd line for the Avs for many years to come…if he sticks around.

by thedoctor on Jul 7, 2008 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn’t he have filed for arbitration earlier like Fluery did if he wanted the protection, or is it only teams who can file players for arbitration before Free agency starts.

by Savage33 on Jul 8, 2008 2:47 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I remember right, the Pens took Fleury to arbitration whereas Svatos filed for arbitration. Both sides can file, to answer your question.

Don't Go, Joe!

by texacogirl on Jul 9, 2008 9:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew both sides could file i just wasn’t sure if either side had to wait till the free agency started before filing.

by Savage33 on Jul 10, 2008 1:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe the teams can actually file earlier than the player can…

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jul 10, 2008 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs