One Fan's Perspective

What strikes me odd is the level of frustration one shows in competition.  Not that they show frustration, it’s how they show it.

I’ve seen Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalof fling his stick after having a puck go past him almost hitting an official.

But having a player do this, kinda surprised me as he was my favorite player while in Phoenix.

I read it first on Puck Daddy, and when I read closer that the offending player was Keith Ballard?  I wasn’t sure if I read that right or not.

Unfortunately, it’s very true.  Ballard swings his stick at his goal post, clips Tomas Vokoun, and Vokoun is taken away on a stretcher.

Click the link and read Greg’s summary and take on the event.

Mine wavers from irrational to stupid…and disappointed at the same time.

Tags: Hockey, Keith Ballard, NHL, Tomas Vokoun by pbcoyotes
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“We went through the whole gamut from a short-term deal to a much longer
deal, but this made the most sense to me. It’s at a level I think is
fair.”

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney,
quoted in East Valley Tribune

The details of Keith Ballard’s contract came out yesterday afternoon and it looks like his two-year deal is worth $4 million and he will again be a restricted free agent when the contract expires.

Both sides took their time to explore options and according to Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, the negotiations were never contentious.

However, is his deal fair? The other comparable defenseman in Ballard’s category based on age and experience is Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks. Bieksa’s deal was worth three years at $11.25 million.

If that’s a bargain, the Coyotes made out pretty well with Ballard.

Last year, Ballard’s earned around $900,000, so he doubled his salary. In my opinion, the contract offer to Ballard should have been closer to Bieksa’s, but there could be a mind set within the Coyotes that when the other higher priced defensemen shake loose, and if Ballard performs as well or better in the next two years, he will get the higher raise in 2009.

Tags: Hockey, Keith Ballard, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes by pbcoyotes
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“Keith has a great work ethic, plays hard and has a tremendous upside,”

Don Maloney quoted in the East Valley Tribune

The Phoenix Coyotes today signed defenseman Keith Ballard to a two-year contract. As of right now, the financial terms are not disclosed.

The re-signing of Keith Ballard is significant for the Coyotes as he is one of those players that other teams covet, the kind who will work hard for a team each and every night. Every team needs them and I’m glad he will return.

I just wonder why it took so long.

The principals seem to be in place, but the other positions will be sorted out during training camp. With the current roster, there are five or six spots up for grabs, not including the goaltending issue with potentially four goalies fighting for two spots.

Tags: Hockey, Keith Ballard, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes by pbcoyotes
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