Schneider has new NHL contract – Wonders about a trade
CORY Schneider has a new contract, a two-year, one-way deal worth US$900,000 per season.
What does it mean in a world where Vancouver Canucks starter is about to start in on his 12-year, $64-million extension?
It means has a new contract.
“I think it’s a very real possibility I could (get traded),” said from his Boston-area home on Wednesday. “If I happen to get into next year and play well, maybe something at deadline happens where the team can get better by moving me and I’m sure they would with just starting his 12-year extension.”
A trade or an offer sheet for a restricted free agent (which he would have been July 1) seemed most likely for the AHL goalie of the year in 2008-09 and the Moose MVP in 2009-10.
“We didn’t think (the offer sheet) was very likely with the goalie market today,” Schneider said. “There will be lots of guys on the market, tandems splitting up and a good free-agent class as well.
“Talking with my agent, we just figured a team wouldn’t spend enough money that Vancouver wouldn’t match.
“And also, it was a sign of good faith by Vancouver not to hold out on this and play that waiting game. They gave me a fair offer.”
Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman, the team’s contract specialist, told the Free Press Wednesday that Schneider wasn’t signed now so he’d be a bargaining chip at the upcoming NHL draft.
“We didn’t sign Cory to trade him but that said, every player has a price,” Gilman said. “There’s a possibility that somebody makes an offer we couldn’t refuse, but we went into this with thinking will play for the Vancouver Canucks next year.”
Schneider said he was encouraged that after his Moose playoffs were over and he was summoned to Vancouver as third-goalie insurance, there was plenty of chatter that he would be the Canucks’ backup next season.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/schneider-has-new-nhl-contract-95503684.html