Obviously, Sather didn't quite feel he was worth what he was asking for. Girardi is a restricted agent, so once again the Evil General Manager Glen Sather, who feels he has the leverage, will make public why he think Girardi is not worth the money, why he should be making four times less money than Wade Redden (I'd love to be a fly on the wall when that comes up). There aint nothing like airing someone's dirty laundry. And so it goes...
Another restricted agent, Marc Staal remains unsigned too. (ggggrrrr)
I find it strange that anyone would elect to salary arbitration -- such was the case of Sean Avery two seasons ago, Nick Zherdev last season and now for Dan Girardi this season, where the management and team you are negotiating to be part of takes a very loud and visible position as to why you are NOT worth the money; how you are NOT part of the core, why you are NOT being awarded a reasonable contract like those (less-talented) around you on the same team.... The list goes on. But eventually, after public feuds and agents and press people looking in -- you hopefully end with a contract, mutually agreed upon - everyone walks away a little unhappy which makes for a good deal in the end. But here's the rub for the player and management...
You now hate each other.
So may the 'Dan Girardi arbitration' of 2010 be short & sweet. Not sure if this was even necessary, as Slats probably has you mixed up in some random trade with Dallas or Calgary and before you know it, you get that Redden-ish contract and years from now you end of playing for the Bismarck Bobcats, dreaming of the days of playing in the big city in front of the savage fans and big lights.
Girardi may be looking at his options, but I suspect the Jedi has other plans for you, kid!
tdr
