Post by Rayven on Oct 3, 2006 21:39:11 GMT -5
October 3, 2006: With only two days to go before the Islanders open up the 2006-07 season in Phoenix Thursday night, a new chapter unfolds in the ongoing Sean Bergenheim saga. It seems he has apparently left Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, the RSL team he joined after failing to sign a contract with the Islanders. According to reports, Bergenheim wasn't comfortable with his role.
The report goes on to state that Bergenheim is now looking to return to North America and sign on with an NHL team. His problem there is the only team he can sign with is the New York Islanders and that probably won't happen unless owner Charles Wang shows mercy and lifts his self imposed rule that unsigned free agents past the opening of training camp sit the entire season. There's also been mention that Bergenheim has requested a trade.
There's no secret as to islesinfo.com's views on this subject as this site has criticized the Islanders handling of the situation. But both sides are to take blame here. With the latest turn of events though, it's Bergenheim who looks to have made the biggest mistake here. He unfortunately takes advice from one of the worst player agents in all of hockey, Mark Gandler.
Just to recap history, the Islanders offered Bergenheim a one way contract worth $500,000. Bergenheim rejected that offer stating he would never play for such low an amount. Gandler counter-offered with a $700,000 proposal to which the Islanders rejected in return, even though they signed Sean to a three year deal worth over $900,000 (which was probably rolled back to around $700,000 due to the CBA) back in 2003.
Now there is pretty much no way Bergenheim can play for the Islanders in 2006-07 unless he signs a two-way contract and reports to Bridgeport where he can try to play his way back onto the team should injuries occur during the course of the season. The Islanders just yesterday signed Richard Park (who even took Bergenheim's uniform #10) to a $475,000 contract and he will most likely fill the role Bergenheim was meant to, minus the physical aspect. In other words, the Islanders would have to move some players off the team in order to get Bergenheim into the opening day roster and that just isn't going to happen.
So as of now Sean has no where to play. One possibility is he could suit up for another team in Europe. It wouldn't be surprising to see him end up back with Jokerit, his former team in Finland. But would he be happy there? It's doubtful they would give him the ice time he is looking for. If we could offer some final advice to Sean it would be to come back and beg Wang and the Islanders to let him return to Bridgeport, shut up, and play his way back. Because there just aren't many options left for a player who hasn't really proven himself yet.
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He shoulda never left. He shoulda just shut up and took wheat we offered. Now we are stuck with Ricahrd Park for 2 years and Bergies in limbo.
The report goes on to state that Bergenheim is now looking to return to North America and sign on with an NHL team. His problem there is the only team he can sign with is the New York Islanders and that probably won't happen unless owner Charles Wang shows mercy and lifts his self imposed rule that unsigned free agents past the opening of training camp sit the entire season. There's also been mention that Bergenheim has requested a trade.
There's no secret as to islesinfo.com's views on this subject as this site has criticized the Islanders handling of the situation. But both sides are to take blame here. With the latest turn of events though, it's Bergenheim who looks to have made the biggest mistake here. He unfortunately takes advice from one of the worst player agents in all of hockey, Mark Gandler.
Just to recap history, the Islanders offered Bergenheim a one way contract worth $500,000. Bergenheim rejected that offer stating he would never play for such low an amount. Gandler counter-offered with a $700,000 proposal to which the Islanders rejected in return, even though they signed Sean to a three year deal worth over $900,000 (which was probably rolled back to around $700,000 due to the CBA) back in 2003.
Now there is pretty much no way Bergenheim can play for the Islanders in 2006-07 unless he signs a two-way contract and reports to Bridgeport where he can try to play his way back onto the team should injuries occur during the course of the season. The Islanders just yesterday signed Richard Park (who even took Bergenheim's uniform #10) to a $475,000 contract and he will most likely fill the role Bergenheim was meant to, minus the physical aspect. In other words, the Islanders would have to move some players off the team in order to get Bergenheim into the opening day roster and that just isn't going to happen.
So as of now Sean has no where to play. One possibility is he could suit up for another team in Europe. It wouldn't be surprising to see him end up back with Jokerit, his former team in Finland. But would he be happy there? It's doubtful they would give him the ice time he is looking for. If we could offer some final advice to Sean it would be to come back and beg Wang and the Islanders to let him return to Bridgeport, shut up, and play his way back. Because there just aren't many options left for a player who hasn't really proven himself yet.
**************
He shoulda never left. He shoulda just shut up and took wheat we offered. Now we are stuck with Ricahrd Park for 2 years and Bergies in limbo.