"We went through the whole gamut from a short-term deal to a much longer
deal, but this made the most sense to me. It's at a level I think is
fair."

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney,
quoted in East Valley Tribune

The details of Keith Ballard's contract came out yesterday afternoon and it looks like his two-year deal is worth $4 million and he will again be a restricted free agent when the contract expires.

Both sides took their time to explore options and according to Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, the negotiations were never contentious.

However, is his deal fair? The other comparable defenseman in Ballard's category based on age and experience is Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks. Bieksa's deal was worth three years at $11.25 million.

If that's a bargain, the Coyotes made out pretty well with Ballard.

Last year, Ballard's earned around $900,000, so he doubled his salary. In my opinion, the contract offer to Ballard should have been closer to Bieksa's, but there could be a mind set within the Coyotes that when the other higher priced defensemen shake loose, and if Ballard performs as well or better in the next two years, he will get the higher raise in 2009.

Original post by PB

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