This is just a bit of a mini-rant about agents and negotiating tactics which was brought on by my displeasure at some comments made by Roland Thompson (Jeff Cowan’s agent) as quoted in the article linked below.
http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canucksprovincestory.html?id=f2fc4a5e-03bc-4132-b709-73772a032b6c&k=15501
Here’s my two cents on the issue. Agents are jerks. Maybe I just don’t like them. I don’t know. But it pisses me off when agents try to stir up a fuss in the media in an attempt to sway their negotiations, or gain sympathy for their client, or whatever.
Is it really necessary to say something like “I understand they’re going to want to try and get him at as good a price as they can,” “But we feel he should be paid for his market value. “We’re not looking for the world, but at the same time he’d like a little security in terms of term.”? Probably not. Or even “They made a proposal and we made a counter to them and I haven’t heard back,” “They’d like to have him back and Jeff would like to come back, but we’ll see”?
Wouldn’t it be the more respectable/professional thing to say something along the lines of “We’re looking for more than a one year deal, and we feel that his play during the past season warrants a slight pay increase. We have had discussions with the team but an agreement has not been reached at this point”? I mean seriously, I love Cowan and he has certainly been an asset to the team, but his agent is talking about market value? What market value? The guy was put on waivers in December. And as much as I loved his little goal spurt back in March (I think it was March anyway), I don’t think that can be used as an expectation of the type of player he’s going to be next season. he’s an energy guy and an ‘enforcer’, and he knows that, (I think), but does his agent?
Again, this isn’t meant to bash Cowan in any way. I’m just trying to be realistic. And I think his agent needs to spend less time breaking out the miniature violins to the media, and spend more time working out a deal. I recall a similar situation near the end of March with Pyatt’s agent in regards to his contract negotiation. Neither the team nor Pyatt’s agent admitted to leaking anything to the press, but I’m still convinced it was the agent. That was also unprofessional and ridiculous, considering the team was at the time on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, as well as fighting for the Northwest Division title, which in my opinion is NOT the time to be discussing the following season.
