Kaptain Koivu Signs, NHL Fans Lose Their Minds

The range of responses on Twitter were everywhere from multi-orgasmic Minnesota fan explosions to those outside the Minnesota fanbase calling for pitchforks and torches. Neither one seems to get it, to be honest with you. As with everything, there are two sides, and then there is the truth of the matter.

Let's see if we can't look at this rationally, while allowing Wild fans to have their day in the sun, shall we?

(This gets a bit lengthy, so get comfy.)

To start, let's present the case for those who think this is a contract that is inflationary and wrong.

The other side, still opposed to the deal, was angry because they say I was defending the deal on numbers alone. We'll call this the "Don't throw stats at me, you monkey headed doofus. Koivu doesn't deserve this contract because he just flat out isn't good, and don't give me any of that linemate garbage" group.

The similarities in the players end with the dollar figures.

Nicklas Backstrom: The guy plays on a line with Alexander Ovechkin. Hell, I could put  points on the board skating with Ovechkin. I'm not saying Backstrom is a slouch, I'm saying that having a teammate such as Ovechkin allows Backstrom to show what he is really capable of.

Stastny, Kane, and Towes: We'll do all three of these guys at the same time. All three are in their second contract. This is Koivu's third, as far as I can tell. They will get their money, trust me. It's coming, and they will, repeat will, make more money that Koivu does now.

Look at Marleau. He, Heatley and Thornton all topped 80 points. Datsyuk and Zetterberg both hit 70 this season (in a very down year for them). Both Ovechkin and Backstrom topped 100. Is there really a belief that this is by accident? It takes great players to be able to play with great players. Backstrom has to be a great center to play with Ovechkin, etc. Koivu has never had another great player.

Oh, and his point total has gone up every season except the Mathias Ohlund cheap shot stick chop season.

Got it? To re-cap: Koivu has been hosed his entire career, and yet still puts up 60-70 points. Put him on a line with another great player. Then, and only then, can you tell me he doesn't stack up with those other guys. Put the other guys on a line with Bruno and Mittens and let's see how many points they put up.

Aaaaaannnnndddd.... breathe.

Now, as for why he is worth it, even without the points. Why that is is difficult to explain to people outside of Minnesota. It takes watching the guy play for 82 games a season to see why. It's those pesky intangibles. The leadership, the steady presence, the battles in the corner. It's the little things that few people in the league do as well as he does, but that don't show up in the stat sheet.

But how many have all of it?

There's your answer. There is the $6.75 million answer.

I'm not quite sure why it falls to me to justify the contract. I'm not even sure why I took the time to do so. As I said on Twitter: People outside Minnesota don't understand how good he is, and people inside Minnesota think he is better than he is. All I am trying to say is that you can't judge him by the points he puts up, and unless you watch him play all 82 games for the past five seasons, you have no idea, and it cannot be explained so I won't even try.

There you have it Wild fans, and non-Wild fans alike. There is your justification for $6.75 million per season, and the counter argument to your belief that he isn't. Do with it as you will. For those wanting to call the contract stupid, over-paying, or whatever else you want to do, feel free. You don't get it, and you never will.

As for Wild fans: live it up. THis is your Joe Mauer or Brett Favre signing. This is a super-star staying in Minnesota. Enjoy it.