The above thread is from the Colorado Mammoth message board. The Mammoth General Manager Steve Govett has a section in which he answers the fans questions. It is always very informative especially about how an individual franchise like the Mammoth and the league in general works from behind the scenes. I would love if Marty O'Neill would do this for Swarm fans even though Marty is already rather accessible.
The post above is about restricted free agency and in particular about Mammoth players Gavin Prout and Gee Nash. They are under 32 so they can't be unrestricted free agents but if they meet one of four requirements, they can become restricted free agents, which they have become for this upcoming season. Neither player was offered an qualifying offer by August 1 of this year and they became restricted free agents. That allows other teams like the Swarm, for instance, to make an offer; however, the Mammoth have the option to match and keep either player. None of the GM's really want to mess with other teams RFA's as it drives up prices and tensions between their ilk (almost collusionary) but this could be an exception.
Well. Govett was answering the question a fan had about restricted free agency and both Prout and Nash came up because they are RFA"s and are marquee Mammoth players. It is much more interesting to read and I suggest you do but basically Govett believes that letting Prout and Nash be RFA's is a courtesy he has allowed since they both have given so much to the Mammoth. Govett is giving them the chance to look around if they want even though he still has the right to match, which I would presume he would do for Prout for sure. However, the players have responded and both say when they were not given offers by the Mammoth, they take it as though the Mammoth do not want them. Definitely, a great view from both sides in how contracts in the NLL are negotiated and how both sides react to each other.
Gavin Prout said:
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Much like Gee, although Steve may not be aware of any offers other teams have put forth, there are many teams that have expressed interest in my services. I do know there are plenty of trade rumours involving me but nothing has come to fruition in regards to qualifying offers or trades to date
. The one team that better be talking to Gavin Prout is the Minnesota Swarm. If the Mammoth don't want Prout like he says:
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Unfortunately my future lies in the hands of the GM and if he does not want me back in the Mammoth organization then I have no other choice but to regretably move on.
Marty O'Neill should want him. He would be a great addition to our stable of righthanded forwards along with Sean Pollock, Aaron Wilson and Dan Marohl. He has been the team captain and top gun in Colorado since they moved to Denver in 2002. He can go to the net, dish and has a great nasty streak that would be most welcome. We only have three righties on our roster right now and need a fourth. Prout wiould be quite an addition.
Marty, if you haven't already, call up Gavin Prout, ASAP and tell him if the GM in Colorado doesn't want him, that the GM in MInnesota does!!!
