Why Hasn't Sheppard Signed Yet?

by BReynolds on Jul 28, 2011 12:01 PM CDT in Features

The Minnesota Wild have made their splash in the 2011 offseason, and it has been a noticeable one. A big trade at the draft, another big trade shortly after, a couple small UFA signings, only one re-signing of the UFA ranks, and they have inked all of their RFAS.

Except one.

James Sheppard is the lone unsigned RFA, although he was qualified per the rules of the CBA. We heard weeks ago that the deal was "all but signed," leaving us to wonder why now, with roughly six weeks to camp, Sheppard remains unsigned.

After the jump, some serous discussion, and some very much not serious discussion.

There are many reasons why an athlete might decide to hold off signing a contract at some point in their career. If they believe their contributions have been greater than the compensation being offered, if they feel they deserve a one way deal after toiling for years in the minors, or if they think holding out can get them any number of benefits.

It is difficult to believe that Sheppard, or his agent, are sitting around thinking that his six points in 64 games in 2009-10, his completely lost season to an ATV accident last year (that we hear may not be fully healed yet), or his career forty-nine points are worthy of a hold out. The only serious answer we can come up with is he wants a one way deal, but with the roster pretty much set, save for a couple spots being left open for competition, Sheppard needs to grasp the reality in front of him.

He cannot sign with anyone else in the NHL without compensation to the Wild. The offer sheets are not going to roll in, he was mercifully qualified by a team that had no need to do so, and his career path has followed that of Coloton Gillies, not Alex Ovechkin. It is time for him to take a year in Houston and improve his game. Whether or not he will do that is up to him and his agent, otherwise, there are some teams looking for help in Mother Russia.

Having explored the logical (or not so much) reasons the deal might not be complete, we now turn to the completely irrational reasons. In comic sans for added emphasis.

1. Not happy with the "Polaris clause" in the deal.

2. Floated out of the building before he could sign the contract.

3. Holding out for "~~Kobe Bryant~~ Cam Barker money."

4. Sprained his thumb playing COD at Cal Clutterbuck's bachelor party.

5. The poison pill that did not allow Sheppard on road trips to Colorado.

6. Chuck Fletcher refused to replace "Let's play hockey" chant with "This one's for Scotia."

7. Dany Heatley stole "his" number.

8. Showed up to sign the deal, stormed out because the contract was "written in Sanskrit." Turns out, it was simply a couple paragraphs explaining that the Wild wanted to "score goals" this year.

9. Asked about the hold out, Sheppard replied "Wait, they offered me a contract? Holy shit!"

10. When Sheppard went to sign the deal, Greg Zanon dove across the table and blocked the pen.

For all of you asking (no one) why Sheppard has not signed yet, here is your explanation: he, or his agent, are delusional. There is no reason for him to not sign any deal the Wild are willing to give him. His NHL career is hanging in the balance, and it is time to face reality. Unless, of course, they really think he is worth Cam Barker money.

If you have a guess, rational or not, about why Sheppard has not signed, please add it in the comment section. Have fun. It's only July 28th. We still have 72 days until games that count.

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Comments

Perhaps...

Coming off an injury lost season, and facing his possible last NHL contract, Shep and agent are trying for a contract longer than 1 year, with a bigger payday for his AHL games because of his NHL ‘experience’.

by Krotz the Wall on Jul 28, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

That was my thought

Looking for a higher AHL salary.

by ThatGuy22 on Jul 28, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

More proof of Zanons worth!

“10. When Sheppard went to sign the deal, Greg Zanon dove across the table and blocked the pen.”
This alone negates any arguments made by a Corsi/stat fan.

by Rob Sasser on Jul 28, 2011 12:11 PM CDT reply actions

Zanon is a beast

He(as in Zanon) really cares about the team, no more bad deals.

Nice use of comic sans!

Watch me Tweet @Iamjilliette

by Jilliette on Jul 28, 2011 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Pictured Him

Sweeping across the table, feet first (in full equipment, no less) kicking the pen away and knocking papers everywhere. Fantastic.

by iLoveHockey on Jul 28, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

That one made me think of the commercial where he was with Madden I think it was at the golf course and blocked his putt.

2010-2011 Minnesota Wild Fantasy League Champion

by Chris Winner on Aug 4, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

under the influence of mind-altering-agent?

How much influence do agents have in deals like this? Do they spend so much time telling their client that they are “better than”, “worth more than”, etc that the player refuses to sign the best opportunity he is likely to get?

If Sheppard has read anything written about him in the last few years, I would think he would grab this opportunity and work his ass off (in Houston or St. Paul) to prove that he can be a better player. Gillies career path could still lead to a spot in the NHL. If Sheppard really wants to play for the Wild, he should just take the deal, work harder than everyone else, be the best team player possible and good Lord willing, things will work out.

Are sports agents held to any code of ethics? They could (and probably do) screw up a lot of careers by looking out for their own best interests rather than the interests of their clients.

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
"The Sharks got the better deal. They got a Burns. The Wild lost a Burns. You need a Burns to be good." KFAN's Jacques Lemaire 6-25-2011

by minnesotagirl71 on Jul 28, 2011 1:41 PM CDT reply actions

How much influence do agents have in deals like this? Do they spend so much time telling their client that they are "better than", "worth more than", etc that the player refuses to sign the best opportunity he is likely to get?

A ton, and yes.

Gillies career path could still lead to a spot in the NHL.

Exactly. Sheppard needs some time in the minors. He needed it when he was 18.

Are sports agents held to any code of ethics? They could (and probably do) screw up a lot of careers by looking out for their own best interests rather than the interests of their clients.

They are lawyers, so… no. And yes, they screw up a lot of careers.

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by BReynolds on Jul 28, 2011 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions

At this point...

If Shep, or his family, can’t see that he needs to shut his mouth, sign on the line, and try his damnedest to try to work his way to becoming a functional player in the AHL if he wants to play hockey any where, you can’t really blame an agent for that total lack of reality.

by Krotz the Wall on Jul 29, 2011 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Nuff Said

Unashamed Alex Burrows Fanboy, MN Wild Lover, and believer in the FLA Cats Blueprint

by JMarushin on Jul 28, 2011 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

James Sheppard is currently on an ashram.

He’s learning transcendental meditation and can’t be bothered just to sign a contract for material wealth. Besides, there’s plenty of time. It’s not like he could get injured during the summer and regret not signing the contract early; he’s a responsible and fortunate individual.

by timprov on Jul 28, 2011 6:45 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs