Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

If the league locks out there will be a lot of fans who will be done with hockey for good. Which is pretty terrible because the league is putting a great product out there now.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The small market teams are getting raped. To get the CBA more level, which they want to do, there will have to be a player salary rollback again and I'm not sure how easy that will be. I understand the floor. It made sense when the cap was 39, 44 or even $50mil. Now it's getting stupid. It's great for my team and it's great for the other big market teams or teams with young talent that needs to get paid. But FLA, PHX, NYI and teams like that that are either rebuilding or can't afford it it hurts them even more. Phoenix lost $40mil last year I think and the floor was in the low 40's what's it gonna do now when this team most likely doesn't make the playoffs this season?

To make sure there isn't a lockout, there is going to need to be a lot of creativity by both the NHL and NHLPA. I hope it doesn't happen. But as someone I was reading pointed out. Last time it was the owners vs the players. Now it will be large market owners vs small market owners.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah I agree with this 100%. The first lockout was good becasue the league was a mess. They came back with good rules changes and it seemed re-energized. Another lockout now though would kill all the momentum

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Bieksa is not a number one d-man, but he's very good. When it comes to defensemen, you have to look at more than just their stats to judge their effectiveness, and Bieksa is no exception. He plays with a lot of grit, a lot of sandpaper, and he showed in the playoffs this year he can chip in offensively. He plays with a lot of passion, so much that he crosses the line, but I love seeing that in a hockey player. A great leader, I would've loved to see the Avs get a shot at him July 1.

Now Erhoff is a bit of a different story. I don't always see the same passion from him as I do from Bieksa, but he makes up for that in pure talent. IMO, he was the Canucks best d-man in the playoffs, delivering thundering hits, playing responsibly, and moving the puck well. He will make some money July 1, maybe more than he would command normally because of a combination of a)strong playoff outing, b) the cap floor, and c) the shallowness of the FA pool this season
Yep, for the three reasons quoted above.
This is truly a great year to be a FA

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The league still is a mess. Yeah the game is better in a lot of ways but the reason they locked out was for financial reasons. Player salaries were getting out of control (they are higher now) and the gap between large market and small market was massive and it still is today. The Panthers need to spend I think $22mil more just to hit the floor.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Won't the new TV deal help this at all?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Not enough from what I have read. If you break it down it's $6-7mil a year per team. The Coyotes would have lost $34mil instead of $40mil.

The things is the CBA didn't do anything that the NHL said it would. Control player salaries? Not quite. Level the playing field? Yes in terms of keeping the payrolls close but if you are playing in front of half empty buildings. Lower ticket prices? That was a lie like the "Coyotes aren't on life support" statement. Salaries don't dictate prices, the market does. Red Wings tickets prices never went down. They stayed the same from a 70mil payroll in 04 to a 39mil payroll in 06.

A year ago I didn't think it would happen but with 7 teams $10mil or more under the floor, and a handful closer to $15-20mil under that's a problem. Do we get rid of the floor? Maybe it's finally time to talk contraction.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

If Dale Tallon was trying to reach the floor, he would not have sent us Olesz's contract which if you use the Player Ability/salary ratio, is worse than Campbell's. Dale Tallon has an idea to make a team down there, and he is going to overpay to make it happen because he can.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think we're definitely headed for labor issues. I'm not sure how to fix the issues either.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

He gained $4mil in that deal still though. Currently he'll need to sign 10 players at just over $2mil each to hit just the floor.
Me neither.

Here's an interesting read:http://spectorshockey.net/wordpress/...ts-nhl-market/

I said back when this started in 04/05 a hard cap of $50mil would have been good. The larger markets would been ok at that time and the floor would have been in the 30's which would have been ok. Also funny that everyone was concerned what would happen if the cap went down. 6 years later we're almost $30mil higher.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

eliminate the cap floor. Boom. I'll be sending in my application for GM to the NHL later today

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Then we truly lost the 04-05 season for nothing. Move PHX to Southern Ontario, FLA to QC. That will help eliminate a few weak teams right now.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think with Tallon there are signing bonuses or reward bonuses which count against the cap. Ergo, i think the way it works anyway, is that I sign you for a base salary of 1 million, but there is a potential of another 4 million if you hit contractual milestones, eg 30 goals, 30 assists, 80 GP, etc.

apparently if contracts are written that way, the cap hit includes the bonus, even if the bonuses are not hit and you don't have to pay the player. ie, if the player does not hit the milestones above, they get paid 1 mill, the team saves 4 mill, but the cap is 5 mill.

I think I heard this from Burkie on the radio a few days ago.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yeah bonuses are tricky and that sounds familiar. When you read the CBA you can tell lawyers put it together. Makes no sense.

Also FYI, Jagr is on his way to the US as we speak. His flight is into NYC.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I know southern hockey is Bettman's hill to die on, but can the NHL disband teams for basically any reason? I'd write off or find northern homes for basically all the Sun Belt teams. I know those markets matter when it comes time to negotiate TV and marketing deals, but they're an albatross on the league.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

the hope is that Bettman can get his head out of his ass and move failing teams.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

maybe they don't move shitty teams, they just disband them and the league gets smaller??

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

It would make realignment easier.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

That's really the answer I think - smaller league size. It places less of a premium and demand on the best players which would lower salaries

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The problem is the NHLPA. They aren't just going to say oh yeah you can eliminate our members jobs. I think we'd be better off even at 28 teams would be better but it won't happen.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

do you eliminate 2 or 4 teams then? and who?

Phoenix? Florida? Tampa (lost $20-25 mil last year)? Columbus (sorry schreiber)?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Phoenix and Florida would be the first 2 gone if it was up to me.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Let's talk about how the Flyers are going to get Stamkos.

Boom. Roasted.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

They'll overpay for him in his 30s. Amirite?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol it's alright - I have to admit they'd be on the short list of teams to go. Hopefully this Carter trade improves things for them next year

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I get rid of two. Move Phoenix or FLA to QC. That would be good for league revenue. Then you cut the one you didn't move and probably the Jackets. Tampa has shown in the past people can show up. But I can see the reason to getting rid of Tampa Bay since you wouldn't have anyone close to them with Atlanta and FLA leaving.

West:
Vancouver
SJ
LA
Anaheim
Dallas
Edmonton
Calgary
Winnipeg
St Louis
Minny
Colorado
Nashville
Chicago
Detroit

East:
Boston
Ott
QC
Mont
TO
Buf
NYI
NYR
NJD
Phil
Pitt
Car.
TBL
Wash

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I'd hate to see the Jackets go.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Fixed this for you :lol

<3 you!!!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I think they could work but if contraction was really on the table they would be on the list. With Atlanta now gone they'd be in the top 4 probably.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The Jackets either need to re-work the lease deal with Nationwide or get an NBA team to move to Columbus and split it with them.

They also need to get better

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I hope the NBA stays away and they can just get the lease taken care of and winning. Winning will cure most of their problems. Playing to 72% capacity or whatever it was last year just isn't good enough. Winning should help that. They need to have a good year and follow it up with a good year next year. I think it hurt them to follow up 09 with what happened in 09-10.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

They need to play in the East. It's impossible to build fan interest when half your games start at 9PM or later.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Anyone who calls Bryzgalov unproven is just jealous. He'll be fine in the playoffs. Guy has more wins in the regular season in the past two years than anyone, with maybe the exception of Ryan Miller.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Doesn't matter if you don't compete. If they finished 13, 15, 15, 14, 13, 11, 13, 7, 14 and 13 in the East like they did in the West it wouldn't have changed anything.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

This is true too - you need to have dedicated fans to pull that off like a Detroit has. A casual CBJ fan ins't staying up until 2AM to watch a game agains San Jose

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Now that the Drury buy-out has been confirmed, I'm interested to see if he gets picked up by someone.

He's a shadow of the player he was when he started with the Avs, but you're not going to find a guy who gives more every shift than Drury. This style of play is what (I believe) has lead to the crap-load of injuries he's sustained over the past couple years, but it's also made him one of the most inspiring leaders in today's NHL.

He would be a great fit playing for a young team on the 3rd or 4th line, taking faceoffs and killing penalties. And I guarantee his asking price will be lower than $1 million/year... well, maybe I don't guarantee with this year's FA's (i.e. Kopecky's contract).

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

If the Wings can't keep Eaves and or Miller I'd take a chance on him for a year. The Avs downfall started when he was traded.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Chris Drury is one my favorite players of all time. I started watching him at BU

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Would love the Flyers to take a flyer on Drury.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I really cannot believe that Jagr might be back in Pittsburgh today, but I won't be heartbroken if he ends up somewhere else.

What I really hate is that if he does sign elsewhere, the Yinzers are going to vilify him all over again.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I said it weeks ago that I would love Chris Drury.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

guys, contraction just isn't going to happen. quick name me the last team to be contracted. right. there is no answer. dude is right, the NHLPA would never allow it.

I can see Drury in Pitts for the third line.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Amazing.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

friend of mine who works at the skate zone here in voorhees (where the flyers practice) said the talk around the facility is an attempt to move carle/hartnell/bob in an attempt to make enough space to sign.......steve stamkos

apparently, those are the three names homer is considering, but whether or not they actually make the move is yet to be decided on.

personally, i hate scott hartnell so i would be fucking thrilled to see this happen, but we absolutely cannot afford to get rid of carle when pronger is 40 and timmonen isnt very far behind. also, i think its necessary to keep bob as a backup and continue his development - if nothing else, he'll be worth something to someone else.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Drums with the knowledge it must be fact.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Do the Flyers even have the picks to give Tampa?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

not really, but this kid also said the carter deal was more or less finalized two days before it happened, and that "someone else" was on the way out too (he said everyone knew another deal was coming but nobody knew it was richards).

so take it as you will - im just sharing what i was told - accurate or not.

that's what i was wondering, and im pretty sure the answer is no, unless we can give picks from another year in advance.

also though, we could trade hartnell for the picks necessary to get stamkos. that would make the most sense - hartnell gets paid far too much anyway.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Varlamov is heading to the KHL

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

The only way I can see Stamkos going is if some team made an offer TB simply couldn't match, like a one-year deal worth $12 million or something. I just don't see it happening.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Too many ifs there. You can start pawning off guys to get one, but you are going to gut your roster, and fill it in with what?

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

For what its worth, from Russia

'Jaromir Jagr signed with " Pittsburgh "and return to the club, which played 11 seasons and won two Stanley Cups. 39-year-old Czech has decided to leave Omsk " Vanguard "and next season will earn about $ 1.4 million.

Jaromir Jagr 10 years later returned to the " Pittsburgh Pingvingz "by signing a contract with the NHL club for one season. According to Sportbox , officially will be announced on Friday, when the North American league free agent market opens. Approximate Salary 39-year old striker in the camp of the " penguin "will make $ 1.4 million.'

If true, that is a steal at 1.4.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

40-year-old Russians who have been out of the league for two or three years.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Only thing is it has to be the teams original picks, so they wouldnt be able to go and get a 1st and use that one. regardless, i think philly has their next 4 1sts.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

lol, the flyers dont sign russians. :rolleyes

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

well, they get rid of carter, hartnell, and richards who were C, LW, C

then you acquire stamkos, voracek, schenn, simmonds, and coutierier who are C, LW, C, LW, C.

so your two centers (richards and carter) are now replaced by schenn and stamoks, your winger in hartnell is replaced by voracek, simmonds plays where an opening fills up, and coutierier plays in the AHL for a year or two to develop.

its a hell of a pain in the ass, but were already 80% done

zherdev and bryz ftw!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Pengvinz

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

They are an entire day ahead of us

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

:lol I've been in Pittsbvrgh enough for work that I think I know what you're getting at

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

the only thing Philly could do that would be dumber than trading Carter and Richards, is to trade away the rest of the team to hope they can get Stamkos. If they didn't get him, they would be beyond fucked.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I would love to see him in a Pens sweater again. It's all just speculation, but if Malkin comes back strong I can see them playing well together.

I don't think $1.4 for a year is too much of a steal... I know he's a Pens legend but he's 39 and been out of the league for a few years.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I got to think there is no way tbl doesnt match any offer given to Stamkos.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

well like i had said before, the carter trade was a fantastic one for the flyers.

i still dont agree with the richards deal, but that has to pan out for a year or two before it can be fairly judged.

...but yea - if we traded hartnell to clear cap and get picks nad then couldnt sign stamkos, wed be fucked.

i think this as well. i cant see why tampa wouldnt match anything

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Something has to be up for Tampa not to have Stamkos signed by now.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Perhaps the Flyers do just need to trade everyone on the roster except OMGCG. All these lowlife human hockey players are only holding him back.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Would love to see the Hawks drop an offer sheet on TJ Oshie

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Wisniewski to Columbus for a 7th round pick, 5th round if they sign him.

here's a tweet: Ok #Flyers fans, I'm told that if the Flyers decide to give Stamkos an offer sheet it's for $115 mil over 12 years with a full no-trade.

That's a cap hit of about $9.5

Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Penguins, Blackhawks, Hurricanes, Avalanche, Bruins, Rangers and Kings all interested in Ville Leino

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

$9.5mil is matched imo.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

tampa would be crazy not to match that. i mean trade st louis, trade malone and a 1st rounder to say the leafs for nothing to clear the cap space to keep stammer.

there is no chance stammer is leaving TB, unless he is pissed at TB or something.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle2079334/

Maybe the big market owners will finally be like "Listen Gary, we're doing good now. If certain teams can't cut it then it's time to move them someplace where they can." Illitch caved once, will he do it again? I don't think so.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

And Wisniewski's right traded to the Jackets. Good for them trying to get him but my guess is he tries the market. Again would be dumb not to.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Yo Jagr, you landed 30 minutes ago. We're all waiting.

Rollie re-signs in Tampa. 1 year $3mil.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

ugh, the more i think about it the more that i think Richards could come here. I hate that thought

EDIT: I hate it because I don't think it will happen and I don't want to get my hopes up. Obviously I want Brad Richards

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I hope they can - they should make him an offer he can't refuse. They have the money to spend

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Columbus may be better than St. Louis next year!

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

they have the money to spend?? didn't they lose like 30 million last year??

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Gonna put a horses head in his bed? Creepy way to say we want you here.

Also Kariya supposedly retiring. Sad day I always liked him.

Touche

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Well it's a vicious cycle. You have to spend money in sports to make money. Im talking about cap room - if they put a good product on the ice this is more than a big enough market to support them

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Don't forget Chicago too

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

come on now....

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

As much as I loved Drury with the Avs (he was such a pure goal scorer come playoff time) I think it would be a step in the wrong direction. A physical presence on the wing is needed but there needs to be some offensive firepower as well.

Keeping David Jones is a good step but Colorado needs someone like, oh, Chris Stewart. I was happy to see Jones finally break out of his shell but he needs to play his size. I'm hoping we see a breakout season from Galiardi, since there's a lack of top 6 forwards who can score and be matched with Duchene and Stastny.

Without any qualifying offers to Budaj and Elliott, I've heard rumors of an offer being presented to Vokoun. I also heard a rumor that Jovanovski could sign with the Avs, presumably to further the development of Erik Johnson.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

It was just reported by an airline employee that Jagr has just boarded a plane to Pittsburgh from JFK. Curiouser and curiouser...

Could be bullshit though

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

You'll notice I never mentioned me wanting him to come back to the Avs... ;) I think McClement basically fills the role that Drury would be signed for.

They will definitely make a push for Vokoun I think. Not ideal because of his age, but the FA pool is pretty shallow. They could also take a chance on a youngster like Josh Harding and have him split time with Budaj... but that gives me ulcers just thinking about Raycroft/Budaj part 2.

I really was hoping we could make a pitch for someone like Bieksa, as a hard-working blueliner who could play on the top 2 pairings would be great developmentally for our young blueliners, particularly Johnson. Jovo would be a good fit if he doesn't re-sign with Phoenix (and rumor has it he wants to test the waters).

EDIT: Ray Emery should get a long look from the Avs as well. He looked really good for the Ducks, and if he can get into shape he's still got something left in the tank. His asking price will still be pretty low as well.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Anybody would almost be dumb not to this season. Go for the big payday that will result from the slim pickin's :thumbsup

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Todd Marchant retiring and joining Ducks' front office:

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=6716693

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I firmly believe Jagr will be a Penguin tomorrow. Everyone in the Pittsburgh media sounds way to confident that he's coming for them not have been tipped off.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Erhoff offered 5 mil from NYI but declined. Could see him ending up in Detroit.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Islanders are shopping him now, they want their pick back. They're dumb.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Nabokov 2.0

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Why? They took a chance, it didn't work out, and they're trying to save face a bit. Will they be able to? Maybe not, but at least they made a go at it.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I agree I think it was dumb. You had to know he'd want the market after Kopecky got $3mil. It would be dumb not to in this market. And while I'm sure he'll want good money sorry the Isles are not a destination right now
I'd prefer Wiz honestly but I could see him here. We'll know by Friday evening where those two are I think. They won't last long.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Sounds like Wiz will sign with CBJ

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Garth Snow has to hate life on the Island. No one wants to play for that franchise.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Can you blame them? That arena could crumble to pieces at any minute

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Sabres acquire the rights to Erhoff, what a difference from years past this off-season has been for the Sabres.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Nice!! Hopefully they can sign him

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

^^Pegula making some nice moves. Would be nice to see the Sabres get back to being at the top of the NHL

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

I find it hard to believe he'll sign there before Friday unless they throw a ridiculous amount of money at him.

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

Miller probably has a huge smile on his face right now. The Sabres defense could be downright nasty next year if they can sign Erhoff

Re: NHL 2011/2012 Thread
 

This....I would not bet on.