What Have We Learned, Eric Belanger?

One month ago, it was reported that C Eric Belanger, brought in at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Wild, would re-sign with the Capitals. The disclosed details were vague; Belanger had reportedly agreed in principle to a one-year deal worth $1.85 million, but pending a trade, would not be officially announced. Discussions between Belanger’s camp and the Capitals front office actually began a month earlier, so it seemed as if there was nothing standing in the way of a return to Washington. So when reports surfaced yesterday that Belanger signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes, shock and confusion prevailed and rightfully so.

As more information has become public, it looks as if Belanger is looking for his dignity among the six teeth he lost during the playoffs. According to Belanger’s agent, Joe Tacopina, the Capitals had ensured him that it was “never a question as to ‘if’ a trade would take place but ‘when’ it would take place.” In lieu of this, the Capitals told Tacopina and Belanger to cease any ongoing discussions with other teams. Tacopina also claims that the team helped Belanger secure a lease for a new home, sent a moving truck to his Minnesota home to pack it up and assisted in enrolling his children into a D.C. school. Five weeks after the initial discussion, assistant GM Don Fishman allegedly told Tacopina that the proposed trade may fall through.

“It’s just disingenuous,” Tacopina said in an interview with the Washington Post. “Despite a two-way commitment and requesting Eric to commit to them and take himself out of the [free agent] mix, when they wound up not being able to make the trade several weeks later, they decided they couldn’t sign him.”

Tacopina didn’t do all of the talking. In an interview with Team 990 in Montreal earlier today, Belanger vented his frustrations over a lack of loyalty on the Capitals’ end. Belanger also echoed Tacopina’s statement that the team informed him that it would be a matter of “when” a trade took place.

“The line has been crossed,” Belanger said during the interview. “I’m looking ahead. This is a great opportunity in Phoenix, and I want to play good for that organization. I feel wanted in Phoenix. They’ve shown interest for a long time. I’m going to be a very hungry player.”

Both sides have a case that can be supported. In the case of Belanger and Tacopina, if the Capitals were in any way uncertain about the deal, then they should have let Belanger negotiate with other teams. With training camp starting throughout the NHL next week, teams have already added pieces and vacancies are limited. Luckily for Belanger, Phoenix needed his experience and signed him for $750,000, $1 million less than what the Capitals reportedly offered. Tacopina, a New York defense attorney, is threatening legal action.

On the other hand, there was no official contract between the two sides, regardless of a “verbal agreement.”  Simply put, GM George McPhee could have had a trade in progress and when it fell through, he may have realized that Belanger was no longer a priority. An agent speaking in anonymity told The Globe And Mail‘s James Mirtle that “unless [a player] has a signed…contract on file, [they] have nothing.”

Who is right and/or wrong will be debated for the next week, but that is not the most important issue at hand. Training camp officially opens next week and the Capitals’ center situation is now at the forefront. The only center who has cemented his position is Nicklas Backstrom. After him, the three slots below are available. Tomas Fleischmann spent time on the second line last season and could enter camp as the frontrunner for said position. David Steckel has been pivoting the checking line for a few years; his line, along with Boyd Gordon and Matt Bradley, has been very successful. The Capitals must also consider Hershey products Mathieu Perreault, Keith Aucoin and Jay Beagle as well as rookie Marcus Johansson. This week’s rookie camp and next week’s training camp has taken on new meaning for all of these players. Belanger’s loss will be someone’s gain.