The Official NHL 2014 Offseason Thread

[Suburban Rhythm]

Rather than putting this in the old regular season thread.

I was way behind the times this season, but I have the THN Future Watch issue if anybody wants a review, leave a team name, I'll post them as I can.

Jonathan Drouin in the #1 prospect, Johnny Whitehall (aka Gibson) was 2nd - these are done around December/January.

[claphamsa]

AVS!!!!

[MrBug708]

Probably should have 2014 in the title

[Suburban Rhythm]

AVS!!!!

As explained at the beginning of the magazine, each team received a letter grade, a system ranking (1-30), and a +/- score: where do they rank in comparison to where their average draft position was over the last 4 drafts. All NHLer regulars 21 and under also included

So a team ranked 1st, and has the highest avg draft spot would be even. Same for the team ranked 30 and picking 30th, on average.

Colorado
Ranked 9th (includes Landeskog and McKinnon)
Grade B
ADR even (9th/9th)

1- Chris Bigras (64 overall) - D - #32 2013 - Owen Sound (OHL)
2- Duncan Siemens - D - #11 2011 - Lake Erie (AHL)
3- Joey Hishon - C - #17 2010 - Lake Erie (AHL)
4- Calvin Pickard - G - #49 2010 - Lake Erie (AHL)
5- Stefan Elliott - D - #49 2009 - Lake Erie (AHL)
6- Sami Aittokallio - G - #107 2010 - Lake Erie (AHL)
7- Spencer Martin - G - #63 2013 - Missassauga (OHL)
8- Will Butcher - D - #123 2013 - U Denver (NCHC)
9- Mitchell Heard - C - #41 2012 - Lake Erie (AHL)
10- Trot Bourke - LW - #72 2012 - Prince George (WHL)

[kingfc22]

Sharks (aka perennial under achievers)

[MikeVic]

Jets please, thank you.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sharks (aka perennial under achievers)

San Jose
Ranked 21 (includes Hertl and Nieto)
Grade C+
+/- even (21/21)

1- Mirco Mueller (17 overall) - D - #18 2013 -Everett (WHL)
2- Gabryel Boudreau - LW - #49 2013 - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
3- Taylor Doherty - D - #57 2009 - Worcester (AHL)
4- Freddie Hamilton - C - #129 2010 - Worcester (AHL)
5- Chris Tierney - C - #55 2012 - London (OHL)
6- Nick Petrecki - D - #28 2007 - Worcester (AHL)
7- Konrad Abeltshauser - D - #163 2010 - Worcester (AHL)
8- Harri Sateri - G - #106 2008 - Worcester (AHL)
9- Christophe Lalancette - C - #109 2012 - Drummondville (QMJHL)
10- Dylan Demelo - D - #179 2011 - Worcester (AHL)

Petrecki seems like he should be 30 years old...been around forever.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Jets please, thank you.

Winnipeg
Rank 8th (includes Trouba and Scheifele)
Grade B
+/- -4 (drafting 4th/rank 8th)

1- Josh Morrissey (30 overall) - D - #13 2013 - Prince Albert (WHL)
2- Nic Petan (57 overall) - C - #43 2013 - Portland (WHL)
3- Eric Comrie (73 overall) - G - #59 2013 - Tri-City (WHL)
4- Adam Lowry - C - #67 2011 - St. John's (AHL)
5- Andrew Copp - C - #104 2013 - Michigan (Big Ten)
6- Connor Hekkebucyk - G - #130 2012 - UMASS Lowell (Hockey East)
7- Julian Melchiori - D - #87 2010 - St. John's (AHL)
8- Scott Kosmachuk - RW - #70 2012 - Guelph (OHL)
9- JC Lipon - RW - #91 2013 - St. John's (AHL)
10- Ryan Olsen - C - #160 2012 - Kelowna (WHL)

Listening right now to WB/S Baby Pens and St John's in AHL Conference final.

[Logan]

I'll post my request hopefully in a few weeks!

[britrock88]

Canes for now?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Canes for now?

Didn't bring it with me to work, I'll get it later tonight

[britrock88]

Didn't bring it with me to work, I'll get it later tonight

Not expecting anything pretty, anyway, so no rush. :)

[Grover]

Flyers, please!

[DaddyTorgo]

Bruins?

[NoSkillz]

Buffalo Sabres please!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Canes for now?

Carolina
Rank 5th (includes Skinner, Faulk, Murphy, Lindholm)
Grade B+
+/- +5 (Rank 5/ADR 10)

1- Brock McGinn - LW - #47 2012 - Guelph (OHL)
2- Michal Jordan - D - #105 2008 - Charlotte (AHL)
3- Victor Rask - C - #42 2011 - Charlotte (AHL)
4- Trevor Carrick - D - #115 2012 - Sudbury (OHL)
5- Phil DiGiuseppe - LW - #38 2012 - U Michigan (Big Ten)
6- Brett Pesce - D - #66 2013 - New Hampshire (Hockey East)
7- Sergey Tolchinsky - LW - FA 2013 - SS Marie (OHL)
8- Daniel Altshuller - G - #69 2012 - Oshawa (OHL)
9- Keegan Lowe - D - #73 2011 - Charlotte (AHL)
10- Jaccob Slavin - D - #120 2012 - Colorado College (NCHC)

Obviously, high ranking based mainly on the guys already in the NHL...which isn't a bad thing.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Flyers, please!

Philadelphia
Rank 27th (includes Couturier)
Grade C+
+/- even (rank 27/ADR 27)

1- Scott Laughton (15 overall) - C - #20 2012 - Oshawa (OHL)
2- Samuel Morin (56 overall) - D - #12 2013 - Rimouski (QMJHL)
3- Shayne Gostisbehere - D - #78 2012 - Union (ECAC)
4- Nick Cousins - C - #68 2011 - Adirondack (AHL)
5- Mark Alt - D - Trade w/ CAR 2013 - Adirondack (AHL)
6- Anthony Stolarz - G - #45 2012 - London (OHL)
7- Robert Hagg - D - #41 2013 - Ornskoldsvik (Swed)
8- Taylor Leier - LW - #117 2012 - Portland (WHL)
9- Oliver Lauridsen - D - #196 2009 - Adirondack (AHL)
10- Petr Straka - RW - #FA 2013 - Adirondack (AHL)

Not Flyers related, but your buddy Dumoulin ranked Pens 2nd prospect, #45 overall.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Bruins?

Boston
Ranked 15th (includes Hamilton)
Grade B-
+/- +2 (rank 15/ADR 17)

1- Malcolm Subban (25 overall) - G - #24 2012 - Providence (AHL)
2- Joe Morrow (50 overall) - D - Trade w/ DAL 2013 - Providence (AHL)
3- Ryan Spooner (59 overall) - C - #45 2010 - Providence (AHL)
4- Niklas Svedberg - G - FA 2012 - Providence (AHL)
5- David Warsofsky - D - Trade w/ STL 2010 - Providence (AHL)
6- Alexander Khokhlachev - C - #40 2011 - Providence (AHL)
7- Brian Ferlin - RW - #121 2011 - Cornell (ECAC)
8- Linus Arnesson - D - #60 2013 - Djurgarden (Swed)
9- Anthony Camara - LW - #81 2011 - Providence (AHL)
10- Jared Knight - -C - #32 2010 - Providence (AHL)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Buffalo Sabres please!

Buffalo
Ranked 6th (includes Girgensons)
Grade B+
+/- +2 (rank 6/ADR 8)

1-Rasmus Ristolainen (7 overall) - D - #8 2013 - Rochester (AHL)
2- Nikita Zadrov (8 overall) - D - #16 2013 - London (OHL)
3- Mikhail Grigorenko (42 overall) - C - #12 2012 - Quebec (QMJHL)
4- Joel Armia (54 overall) - RW - #16 2011 - Rochester (AHL)
5- Jake McCabe - D - #44 2012 - U Wisconsin (Big Ten)
6- Johan Larsson - C - Trade w/ MIN 2013 - Rochester (AHL)
7- JT Compher - C - #35 2013 - U Michigan (Big Ten)
8- Nick Baptiste - RW - #69 2013 - Sudbury (OHL)
9- Gustav Possler - RW - #130 2013 - Modo (Swed)
10- Brayden McNabb - D - #66 2009 - Rochester (AHL)

[Suburban Rhythm]

So Penguins hiring Jim Rutherford as GM.

More and more, hard not to listen to the rumors swirling about the management structure of this team.

Marketing > winning, at least it seems that way.

[Dr. Sak]

So Penguins hiring Jim Rutherford as GM.

More and more, hard not to listen to the rumors swirling about the management structure of this team.

Marketing > winning, at least it seems that way.

Are we talking about the Pirates?

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

#BylsmaOut

[Suburban Rhythm]

Are we talking about the Pirates?

Pretty much what they're becoming.

The Steelers have been bad recently, but at least have the sense to keep the "product" people and the business people separate for the most part.

[Suburban Rhythm]

This was just....Wow

Thornton, Bruins will miss each other (http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/11095025/shawn-thornton-missed-boston-bruins-fans?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

BOSTON -- His playing days with the Boston Bruins are now a memory, but Shawn Thornton has earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath as Bobby Orr, Terry O'Reilly, Ray Bourque and Cam Neely.

[Fidatelo]

http://i.imgur.com/JmeFFBE.gif

[Suburban Rhythm]

Columbus trades RJ Umberger + 4th round pick

Philadelphia trades Scott Hartnell

[Logan]

I know Hartnell isn't the player he once was but that seemed really curious when I saw it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

And Hartnell had a NMC. So sort of curious he'd OK the move. Unless he made the initial request?

Don't fully understand it. Sure Philly gets out of those last few years of his deal in 17/18 and 18/19. But no savings today.

[The Jackal]

Yeah this is a weird move. I'm going to reserve judgement until I see what else they do - but this is a downgrade.

4.6m vs 4.75m, so not saving cap space. Maybe Umberger is faster? I'm not really sure. Hextall seems serious about increasing team speed, and Hartnell is not very fleet of foot.

Also very possible they turn around and try to trade Umberger somewhere else, since he doesn't have a NTC and Hartnell did.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Umberger is not very quick. He was a healthy scratch in I believe 2 games vs the Penguins in round 1 this year.

Buyout wise it's pretty minimal difference dollar wise, just that a buy out of Hartnell would carry on longer because of length of remaining contract. And Comcast could eat that if they really wanted to.

R.J. Umberger buyout from CapGeek.com
2014-15: $1,600,000
2015-16: $1,600,000
2016-17: $1,600,000
2017-18: $1,500,000
2018-19: $1,500,000
2019-20: $1,500,000

Scott Hartnell buyout from CapGeek.com
2014-15: $1,250,000
2015-16: $1,250,000
2016-17: $1,250,000
2017-18: $1,750,000
2018-19: $3,250,000
2019-20: $1,500,000
2020-21: $1,500,000
2021-22: $1,500,000
2022-23: $1,500,000
2023-24: $1,500,000

Clearly, Hartnell feels his best shot at a Cup is going through Columbus to LA.

[BishopMVP]

This was just....Wow

Thornton, Bruins will miss each other (http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/11095025/shawn-thornton-missed-boston-bruins-fans?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)LOL. More like PJ Stock, Lyndon Byers and John Wensink. john wensink challenges the minny bench - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-85qLSvztnQ)

[Logan]

Clearly, Hartnell feels his best shot at a Cup is going through Columbus to LA.

Saw on Twitter that Richards/Carter were traded on 6/23/11 and JVR was traded on 6/23/12. Not sure what happened last year...maybe separate knob on the alarm?

[The Jackal]

It wouldn't make any sense for the Flyers to buy-out Umberger. Either they see him as a good complement to Couturier/Read for the third line or they like that they could move him in a trade easier than Hartnell.

It's a head scratcher but let's see what else, if anything, Hexy has up his sleeve for the roster. He's maintained that he wants to build through the draft and keep young players - I'm still hoping he can somehow pry the #1 from Florida..

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pat Burns, finally, inducted into the HOF

Along with Hasek, Forsberg, Modano, Blake and Bill McCreary

[bhlloy]

Pat Burns, finally, inducted into the HOF

Along with Hasek, Forsberg, Modano, Blake and Bill McCreary

Fuck yeah! Hard to argue with any of those selections, but they finally got the biggest one right. Doesn't eliminate the wrongdoing of not inducting him while he was alive but good to see none the less

[Suburban Rhythm]

I kind of wonder what the process is like for someone like McCreary

After watching years of hockey, you recognize names. But what exactly is the standard for an official to make the HHOF?

"Well, once, in a playoff game, he called a penalty in OT...so he's legit!"

[The Jackal]

Lindros should make it next year...

[Draft Dodger]

Lindros should make it next year...

what if his dad won't let him?

[claphamsa]

Flyers sign Schenn long term...

[Suburban Rhythm]

Flyers sign Schenn long term...

Hope he got a NMC

[sterlingice]

what if his dad won't let him?

Will he force a trade to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame?

SI

[cuervo72]

Lindros should make it next year...

Stupid Larry Bertuzzi...

[The Jackal]

Flyers sign Schenn long term...

Since when is two years long term?

Very reasonable bridge contract, 2.5m per year.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Awesome Chicago Tribune title

[sterlingice]

:D

SI

[claphamsa]

Since when is two years long term?

Very reasonable bridge contract, 2.5m per year.

just quoting TSN.... but yeah, great contract for philly

[Pyser]

trades and draft and stuff today, right?

[Chief Rum]

I believe so, yes.

TSN is reporting Kesler to the Ducks for Bonino, Sbisa and the 24th overall pick.

[bhlloy]

Jesus that's a steal. Bonino is good but also at the peak of his value, Sbisa is terrible (sad face as he's one of my favorite players and looked like he was a stud at one point) and the #24 is nothing.

Good thing Vancouver didn't move him at the draft! The package on the table then was far bigger than that. What a train wreck that front office has become.

[The Jackal]

Garrison to TB. Canucks dismantling.

[Chief Rum]

Jesus that's a steal. Bonino is good but also at the peak of his value, Sbisa is terrible (sad face as he's one of my favorite players and looked like he was a stud at one point) and the #24 is nothing.

Good thing Vancouver didn't move him at the draft! The package on the table then was far bigger than that. What a train wreck that front office has become.

I will miss Bonino, but you're probably right he is at the peak of his skills. As for Sbisa, I still think he could end up pretty good, but his development has significantly slowed. I consider the 24th overall pick to have some value, but mostly, I am glad it isn't the 10th overall the Ducks have from Ottawa.

The best part about Kesler is his strong two way play. We need players who can commit to being strong in their own end, but also do some damage in the offensive zone.

[bhlloy]

Fwiw, the deal on the table at the deadline was way way higher than the one that eventually got done (multiple firsts plus rakell plus ?)

Gillis just destroyed that team in his last few years in the job

[Fidatelo]

I'm doubtful it (or really anything) will happen but I would love to see the Jets somehow get that first pick from Florida. Kane + pick #9 + ??

You could build a really good team around Scheifele, Bennett/Reinhart, Trouba, Morrissey, and any goalie not named Ondrej.

[The Jackal]

@MikeKellyNHL
Hearing Panthers seriously considering an offer from the Maple Leafs for the #1 overall pick. JVR centerpiece with others going to FLA

I'm still torn on the Flyers making a hard play for this, but I'm hoping for some moves. Presumably it would include Vinny + 1st + read/simmonds/schenn + laughton/one of the d prospects

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not really sure why the desire to move up to #1.

Some very good, but no great prospects.

Also, cap being reported by several sources at $69m, about two million below what was initially projected.

[The Jackal]

Flyers want Ekblad

[bhlloy]

The no sure thing at #1 actually means it's feasible to trade up this year. And I'd want Eckblad as well - I think he's the second coming of Shea Weber and as much of a sure thing of a defensive prospect as is possible to get through the draft

[The Jackal]

I'd be pretty pschyed if the Flyers made a play for him, but seemingly increasingly unlikely. I'll be happy even if they can just move Vinny.

[The Jackal]

more trades please

[The Jackal]

Neal to NSH

[The Jackal]

Neal to NSH

for hornqvist and spaling.. lol

SR?

[The Jackal]

I'll say that I like Hornqvist, but very surprised at that return

[Danny]

Man I love picking at the end of the draft

[Danny]

Awesome late first pick by the Kings

[Suburban Rhythm]

Flyers want Ekblad

The no sure thing at #1 actually means it's feasible to trade up this year. And I'd want Eckblad as well - I think he's the second coming of Shea Weber and as much of a sure thing of a defensive prospect as is possible to get through the draft

Most of what I've seen and read, Ekblad was compared to Seabrook. Which, Seabrook is a really good player. But is he a #1 somewhere else, or if not behind Keith in Chicago?


for hornqvist and spaling.. lol

SR?

Nashville got the best player...but curious what happens to Neal there.

Neal's Dallas years he was typically around 25 goals guy. His 27 goal season, his center was Brad Richards (who did finish with 91 points).

He didn't break 30 (and 40) until playing with Malkin.

He's going to score, but is he going to score 30 (or 40) with Mike Fisher or Colin Wilson? Probably not

Hornqvist has scored 30 with Marcel Goc as his center, and 27 with David Legwand. I like his chances of matching those with Crosby (my guess as to who he'll play with).

Spaling...I don't know very much. Other than he can skate. Maybe a Dupuis type player.

I think in the end, for Pittsburgh, it became a question of one top 6 wing or two top 9 wings? From that perspective, the 3rd and 4th lines were putrid most of last year.

I'm expecting one more top 9 winger to be added, and up with something like this:

Kunitz - Crosby - Hornqvist
????? - Malkin - Bennett
Spaling - Sutter - Dupuis

[The Jackal]

I'm kind of sad Neal won't be doing dumb things for the Pens anymore.

[The Jackal]

Looks like Stastny is going to become a free agent - someone is going to jump all over him.

Doesn't look like the Flyers will be able to do much unless they find someone to bite on Vinny or make some surprise moves. Probably will stand pat with that great defense of theirs........

[Logan]

Spezza to Dallas:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DAL trades Alec Chiasson, Alex Guptill, Nicholas Paul and 2nd round pick in 2015 to OTT for Jason Spezza and Ludvig Karlsson. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TSN?src=hash">#TSN</a></p>&mdash; Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/statuses/483989925298044928">July 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Suburban Rhythm]

All signs point towards Nik Kulemin signing in Pittsburgh with his BFF Malkin. Don't have much problem with it as long as it's about $3m or under.

[The Jackal]

All signs point towards Nik Kulemin signing in Pittsburgh with his BFF Malkin. Don't have much problem with it as long as it's about $3m or under.

Think you'll re-sign Jokinen? He seemed to be a valuable piece of that roster.

[The Jackal]

NBA and NHL free agency, world cup.. so hard to work today

[Suburban Rhythm]

Think you'll re-sign Jokinen? He seemed to be a valuable piece of that roster.

As of yesterday, Rutherford said allowing all 11 UFAs on the roster to go on the market.

We were only paying him $2.1m of his $3m last year (oddly, thanks to Rutherford, who made that deal while still in Carolina). He'll probably be able to get more than $3m somewhere else.

That line never made sense with Malkin and Neal - there was no puck retriever. Jokinen is a good enough goal scorer. Not Neal, but OK

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pens sign Erhoff 1 year at $4m.

Either replaces Niskanen and provides depth (Maatta offseason shoulder surgery) or makes Paul Martin available.

[gstelmack]

We were only paying him $2.1m of his $3m last year (oddly, thanks to Rutherford, who made that deal while still in Carolina).

Speaking of Rutherford, after Canes' cuts yesterday, we are officially still paying Tuomo Rutuu while not having anything we got back in the trade on the roster.

[Logan]

Pens sign Erhoff 1 year at $4m.

Either replaces Niskanen and provides depth (Maatta offseason shoulder surgery) or makes Paul Martin available.

Great value. I know some Rangers fans wanted them to throw big money/term at him (5x5).

[Suburban Rhythm]

Speaking of Rutherford, after Canes' cuts yesterday, we are officially still paying Tuomo Rutuu while not having anything we got back in the trade on the roster.

Could be worse...The Islanders are paying DiPietro until 2112 or something.

[Logan]

Edmonton giving Pouliot 5 years and $20 million is insane.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Great value. I know some Rangers fans wanted them to throw big money/term at him (5x5).

Makes alot of sense for him.

He'll play on the PP with Malkin and Crosby. Put up similar numbers that Niskanen did this year, (hopefully) make a deep playoff run. Then sign a longer deal next summer. He's turning 32 in a couple days.

He'll be cashing in from the Buffalo buyout, and a 4+ year $4m+ deal next year at the same time.

[Logan]

Stastny to the Blues for 4 years $28 million.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Think you'll re-sign Jokinen? He seemed to be a valuable piece of that roster.

to Florida

4 years, $4m per

[Suburban Rhythm]

Stastny to the Blues for 4 years $28 million.

When I see these deals, I remember Crosby only getting $8.7.

Nice player, but that's overpriced. But, I guess that's how FA works.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Rangers get Dan Boyle, 2 years/$4.5m per

[Logan]

Rangers get Dan Boyle, 2 years/$4.5m per

I felt like this was inevitable because they've kicked the tires on acquiring him every year for years. Hoping he has something left. If he can be the PP QB this team has needed, he'll be worth the money. Supposedly he left significant money on the table to get to the Rangers.

[claphamsa]

i find it fascinating how all these deals are signed 1 hour into FA, when no one knew what was going to happen.... no visits, nothing

[chrisj]

Actually teams have been legally allowed to talk to players for 5 days now - not supposed to formally offer contracts, but allowed to talk.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Actually teams have been legally allowed to talk to players for 5 days now - not supposed to formally offer contracts, but allowed to talk.

Yes. The new CBA allows for a window for players and teams to talk. It legalized what was going on "illegally" for a while now. It's a good thing.

[claphamsa]

yes, but why did no one know about these deals? someone should leak something!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Capitals gave Brooks Orpik $27.5m/5 years.

Mind=Blown

Ovechkin will love receiving the patented Orpik stare when Orpik allows a guy to park right in front of the goalie, then wants to blame someone else.

[Logan]

yes, but why did no one know about these deals? someone should leak something!

Been plenty of info out there. Players aren't going to agree in principle or eliminate teams if there is more time for offers to be made though.

[Logan]

Capitals gave Brooks Orpik $27.5m/5 years.

Mind=Blown

Dan Rosen ‏@drosennhl

Caps actually announce the term on Orpik, 5 years, $27.5 million. Thought they might have wanted to keep that quiet.

:lol:

[Chief Rum]

Lots of stuff...

Iginla to the Avs.
Miller to the Nucks (as expected)
Hemsky to the Stars to join with Spezza.
Vanek to the Wild.
Moulson and Gionta to the Sabres.
Cammaleri to the Devils.
Bolland and Jokinnen to the Panthers.
Hiller and Raymond to the Flames.

Stastny to the Blues is huge.

[Galaxy]

Ryan Miller to Vancouver: 3 year/$18 million.

Vanek to the Wild: 3 year/$19.5 million.

Iginla to Colorado: 3 year/$16 million.

Sabres sent a 2016 second rounder (actually Minnesota's pick) to Montreal for D Gorges.

[Logan]

Stralman to Tampa, 5 years $20 million

edit: Actually $22.5 million.

[Neuqua]

Brad Richards to the Blackhawks for $2mil/1 year.

[RainMaker]

Brad Richards to the Blackhawks for $2mil/1 year.

I really like this signing.

[The Jackal]

Best Signings:

Ehrhoff to PIT for 4x1
Stralman to TB for 4.5x5
Hemsky to DAL for 4x3
Richards to CHI for 2x1
Cammalleri to NJD for 5x5 (bit pricy, but huge for the Devils)

Worst Signings:

Bolland to FLA for 5x5
Orpik to WSH for 5.5x5

[The Jackal]

I would like Vrbata. Hextall said the Flyers are in on one player, who I'm afraid is probably Steve Ott.. ugh.

[The Jackal]

Oh I also thought PIT getting Greiss was a great move. I would have loved him for 1m. Fine with Emery coming back at that price, but his lateral mobility is crappy.

[JPhillips]

Niskanen to the Caps.

I don't like the terms for Orpik, but there's no doubt the Caps are a lot better than they were. Now they need to trade a wing for a 2nd center.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Niskanen's deal I think will end up being tolerable at the very least. He's still only 27, RH, can skate. By the end of those 7 years, all 2nd pairing guys will be making $5m+

The Orpik deal...there are no words. Partially the system he was playing in, but he's so far below where he was 5 years ago.

He can still skate for a bigger guy, but that's about it. He hasn't cleared someone from in front of the net since 2010.

[The Jackal]

Niskanen to the Caps.

I don't like the terms for Orpik, but there's no doubt the Caps are a lot better than they were. Now they need to trade a wing for a 2nd center.

Getting Niskanen was big. If it was me, I'd try as hard as I could to re-sign Grabovski.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Hard time picking out the really good deals.

But FA is all about overpaying (in most cases).

The term and $ for Erhoff are awesome. But, if it's at the expense of a top 6 winger, as valuable as it is, the deal sucks.

35 year old Pascal Dupuis, coming off ACL surgery, is currently penciled in the top 6.

Still hoping/expecting:

1) Nik Kulemin signed
2) Rob Scuderi's lifeless body dumped somewhere
or
3) larger trade around Brandon Sutter (resigned Marcel Goc last night at about 1/3 of the cost) or maybe Paul Martin to free up space/bring in a top 6 winger.

[gstelmack]

Headline at hurricanes.nhl.com:

CANES AVOID FRENZY

That's putting an interesting spin on day 1 of FA...

[Danny]

Hard time picking out the really good deals.

But FA is all about overpaying (in most cases).

The term and $ for Erhoff are awesome. But, if it's at the expense of a top 6 winger, as valuable as it is, the deal sucks.

35 year old Pascal Dupuis, coming off ACL surgery, is currently penciled in the top 6.

Still hoping/expecting:

1) Nik Kulemin signed
2) Rob Scuderi's lifeless body dumped somewhere
or
3) larger trade around Brandon Sutter (resigned Marcel Goc last night at about 1/3 of the cost) or maybe Paul Martin to free up space/bring in a top 6 winger.

Love what the kings did, got Gaborik at 4.8 and Green at 2.5 per all locked up before free agency began

[timmae]

Bolland... 5x5. Yikes.

[Logan]

Brad Richards to the Blackhawks for $2mil/1 year.

Who is he expected to play with?

[Neuqua]

Who is he expected to play with?

The Blackhawks have been looking for someone to pair with Kane in the 2nd line for a while now. Shaw played well late in the WCF but I think they view him more as a winger. I think the idea is let Richards play C this year on that 2nd line and hope the young kid Teuvo Teräväinen is ready next season.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Who is he expected to play with?

Well, the Blackhawks have four great top six forwards: Kane, Toews, Sharp and Hossa. I would imagine that Richards would slot in as the second line center so you could have the following top two lines:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Hossa - Richards - Sharp

Not sure if that's how the Blackhawks will go or not.

The Red Wings re-signed Kyle Quincey. I am not a fan of Kyle Quincey. The bloom is officially off the rose. Granted, that rose has bloomed for over 20 years, so it was a great run, but...

[Fidatelo]

Jets signed Mathieu Perrault to replace Olli Jokinen. Nice upgrade for the 3rd line centre position.

Jets also signed Chris Thorburn for 3 years @ 1.2/per. Whaaaaaat?!? It's not Orpik-level disastrous, but good grief that's a puzzling contract.

Jets also lost Zach Redmond to Colorado, which sucks. We never really gave him a proper shot, which I don't understand. I imagine he will flourish in Colorado.

Overall, unless Chevy still has a move or two in the wings, the Jets are in trouble. The rest of the division, with the exception of Nashville, appears to be improving, while the Jets are basically standing pat. They appear to be placing a lot of faith that a full year of Maurice plus the continued evolution of Scheifele and Trouba will make up that ground (and more). I hope they are right, but I don't see it.

[Logan]

Well, the Blackhawks have four great top six forwards: Kane, Toews, Sharp and Hossa. I would imagine that Richards would slot in as the second line center so you could have the following top two lines:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Hossa - Richards - Sharp

Not sure if that's how the Blackhawks will go or not.

Speed-wise, this makes more sense than playing him with Kane. Richards is very slow these days so I was surprised to hear the Hawks viewed him as a 2C at this point.

[Danny]

West is going to be a dog fight, some really good teams, Kings, Hawks, Ducks, Stars, Blues, Avs. East looks pretty weak in comparison

[Suburban Rhythm]

In non free agency news, we've got this

Claude Giroux Reportedly Arrested After Ass-Grabbing A Cop (http://deadspin.com/claude-giroux-reportedly-arrested-for-ass-grabbing-a-co-1599027264)

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA


Claude Giroux continues hockey's proud tradition of regretting the decision to chase after bums on July 1.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'm kind of sad Neal won't be doing dumb things for the Pens anymore.

No worries

Penguins sign right winger Steve Downie (http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2014/07/02/Penguins-sign-right-winter-Downie/stories/201407020174)

[RomaGoth]

I love that the Wings did absolutely nothing yesterday, not addressing their need for a top 4 puck-moving righty defenseman. Instead, they sign Kevin Porter and in yet another panic move, re-sign Kyle Quincey to a 2 year deal for over $4mil/year. Yeah, go ahead and give a raise to arguably the worst d-man on last year's roster.

I was pretty much backing up Ken Holland the last several years despite his questionable decisions, but now it is painfully obvious he doesn't have a fucking clue how to manage a roster in the salary cap era. Especially when some of his understudies are kicking ass and taking names (Nill in Dallas and Yzerman in Tampa).

I do believe it is time for a GM change in Detroit before we become the next Calgary Flames/Toronto Maple Leafs. Or is it too late?

:banghead:

[The Jackal]

I didn't think they could do it, but the Flyers found a d-man with worse corsi and break-up stats than MacDonald. Huzza for Nick "I'm replacing the pylon in the press box" Schultz!

Now trade Vinny. Please. Pretty please.

[The Jackal]

That being said, the first above average move Hextall has made in the past couple of days is trading McGinn to SJ for a 3rd round pick. Not sure how he was worth a 3rd..

[EagleFan]

I didn't think they could do it, but the Flyers found a d-man with worse corsi and break-up stats than MacDonald. Huzza for Nick "I'm replacing the pylon in the press box" Schultz!

Now trade Vinny. Please. Pretty please.

Starting to think that Amaro has taken a second job...

[The Jackal]

Starting to think that Amaro has taken a second job...

I mean, I can't complain about what's happened under Hextall. Holmgren left him in a really shitty position. Just have to hope we can trade Vinny and a couple of the overpaid/aging/slow defenseman over the next 1-2 seasons and then have a really solid young defense core coming up that hopefully doesn't miss the current forward group's prime.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I mean, I can't complain about what's happened under Hextall. Holmgren left him in a really shitty position. Just have to hope we can trade Vinny and a couple of the overpaid/aging/slow defenseman over the next 1-2 seasons and then have a really solid young defense core coming up that hopefully doesn't miss the current forward group's prime.

Vinny for Scuderi...let's trade problems.

[The Jackal]

Vinny for Scuderi...let's trade problems.

Listen we already have the most expensive defense in the league (though I think the Caps pass us after Pronger goes on LTIR, yay!).

3.375 aint even that bad. It would be 7th on the Flyers hahahaha. (edit: 7th on the Flyers DEFENSE, if that wasn't clear)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Listen we already have the most expensive defense in the league (though I think the Caps pass us after Pronger goes on LTIR, yay!).

3.375 aint even that bad. It would be 7th on the Flyers hahahaha. (edit: 7th on the Flyers DEFENSE, if that wasn't clear)

Of all the ways Shero mangled things, the Scuderi deal is the worst.

Dupuis and Kunitz extensions might end up bad, though both can be overpaid 3rd liners at the end of those. But Scuderi was more than a step slow. Then broke his ankle. He's not going to fit the system. He returned and it was banked on that he still had one discernible skill - down low on PK. He can't even do that.

If they can flip Scuderi + 3rd for a 4th or something like that, I'll consider it a win.

[The Jackal]

There goes Vrbata to VAN for 5x2. Flyers wouldn't have been able to give him that salary, so good for him. Not that they were ever linked to him.

Hextall keeps saying we are trying with one FA and as they keep disappearing it seems like it's going to be Steve Ott, grosssss.

Unless it was Nick Schultz, which is already pretty gross.

[EagleFan]

I keep forgetting about Holmgren handing out D contracts like he was dealing with Monopoly money.

[Suburban Rhythm]

At least we can say neither team gave Orpik $5.5

Only guys left who could maybe be considered top 6 wings:

Reclamations like Setoguchi, Penner, Leino, Booth

Old guys like Alfredsson or Whitney

Centers who probably wouldn't transition well like Roy and Ribeiro

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Add Stempniak. He played fine here, but ideally not in your top 6.

[The Jackal]

I wouldn't mind Booth at all.

[britrock88]

Headline at hurricanes.nhl.com:

CANES AVOID FRENZY

That's putting an interesting spin on day 1 of FA...

:lol:

:(

[Fidatelo]

At least we can say neither team gave Orpik $5.5

Only guys left who could maybe be considered top 6 wings:

Reclamations like Setoguchi, Penner, Leino, Booth

Old guys like Alfredsson or Whitney

Centers who probably wouldn't transition well like Roy and Ribeiro

Anyone who signs Setoguchi should be fired. He was absolutely awful and totally disinterested last year. Probably my least-favourite Jet ever (of either incarnation). That guy shouldn't see the NHL again as far as I'm concerned.

[The Jackal]

Anyone who signs Setoguchi should be fired. He was absolutely awful and totally disinterested last year. Probably my least-favourite Jet ever (of either incarnation). That guy shouldn't see the NHL again as far as I'm concerned.

I honestly didn't even realize he was in the NHL last year.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Add him to the long list of Sharks with impressive debuts who go on to never be as good as they were as rookies.

[The Jackal]

Add him to the long list of Sharks with impressive debuts who go on to never be as good as they were as rookies.

Didn't he have some ridiculous goal when he was a rookie that made us all think he'd be badass?

That being said, I think Hertl is legit.

[The Jackal]

There are still some solid free agents out there - I wonder if we're gonna see any trades happen. There's still rumors swirling. At this point I'm pretty resigned to Vinny being on the Flyers again next year. His contract sucks, but he doesn't suck. He scored 20 goals in an injury plagued season while dragging down pretty much everyone who played with him.

He can definitely be sheltered centering the "2nd" line though, since the Giroux/Coots lines can match anyone. Easier in the regular season than playoffs, but still. I'm not going to be upset if his talent is still around - and maybe it'll be easier to trade him at the deadline or next offseason after another 2m bonus.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Didn't he have some ridiculous goal when he was a rookie that made us all think he'd be badass?

That being said, I think Hertl is legit.

He scores 30 with Thornton. Not sure if it was his rookie or 2nd season.

Still, he's no Cheechoo

[bronconick]

Add him to the long list of Sharks with impressive debuts who go on to never be as good as they were as rookies.

Don't worry, they signed John Scott. That's a 4th line of Brown/Burish/ Scott.

I hate this team sometimes.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Toews and Kane each sign their extensions

8 years x $10.5m per, each

[mckerney]

Really happy with the Wild signing Vanek, makes up for adding Parise last year and will make me want to follow them this year.

[Neuqua]

Rumor was the Blackhawks were going to re-sign them at 10.8 per, having it at 10.5 is a nice surprise. Every few hundred thousand matters.

Regardless, nice to see them signed and locked up until 2023.

[The Jackal]

Really happy with the Wild signing Vanek, makes up for adding Parise last year and will make me want to follow them this year.

Why were you upset that they signed Parise?

[bronconick]

I'd guess it's a college hockey thing.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Parise >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vanek

[mckerney]

I'd guess it's a college hockey thing.

Yep, really only follow Gopher hockey and don't care much about the NHL other than casually paying attention to the Wild. Hate North Dakota and Parise.

[The Jackal]

Yep, really only follow Gopher hockey and don't care much about the NHL other than casually paying attention to the Wild. Hate North Dakota and Parise.

Gotcha. I mean I hate the Devils so I wasn't exactly keen on Parise either. But Suter would have looked nice in a Flyers uniform. :cool:

[Chief Rum]

So in somewhat random news, apparently the Ducks signed Heatley to a cheap one year deal. I had frankly forgotten about Heatley, and he used to be a star. So I looked up his stats. Wow, he really sucked in Minnesota last year.

What the hell happened to this guy? He's only 33.

[Fidatelo]

So in somewhat random news, apparently the Ducks signed Heatley to a cheap one year deal. I had frankly forgotten about Heatley, and he used to be a star. So I looked up his stats. Wow, he really sucked in Minnesota last year.

What the hell happened to this guy? He's only 33.

Remember that time he killed a guy? I think that's what happened.

[bhlloy]

How so, considering his best seasons were after that?

I think he just got old and slower in a league that is becoming faster, which is pretty sobering news for Ducks fans expecting Cory Perry to outperform his contract. Think there's a lot of similarities between the two.

[Fidatelo]

How so, considering his best seasons were after that?

I think he just got old and slower in a league that is becoming faster, which is pretty sobering news for Ducks fans expecting Cory Perry to outperform his contract. Think there's a lot of similarities between the two.

You're probably more right.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Heatley was an averaging skating, faceoff dot range player who became a slow perimeter player.

Perry will still be good with his ass parked in the goalies face. Maybe not $8m good, but good enough.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Red Wings have re-signed Dan Cleary to a 1 year $1.5 million (with another possible $1 million in bonuses) deal.

This deal makes no sense. Cleary was a warrior and decent player, but that time has passed. At 35 and after close to 1,000 NHL games, his body is broken down and he just doesn't have the skill set anymore to be an effective NHL player.

The Wings don't have to roster space for this. They now have 14 forwards under contract, including sure-to-be-re-signed RFA Tatar. If Alfredsson comes back that makes 15. This means Jurco will go back to the AHL, and the chances that out-of-AHL-option guys like Ferarro and Callahan to make the team are very slim.

Holland did the same thing last year. He had Bertuzzi, Samuelsson and Cleary, which forced guys like Nyquist to start the year in the AHL. He made all of these statements about how the NHL was a "man's game" and how Nyquist wasn't the "savior." Only, when he was called up he kind of was and led the team in goals despite playing a little more than half the season.

You would think Holland would have learned his lesson with all of this, but apparently not. He even admitted that he re-signed Cleary out of "loyalty" and that with loyalty comes "good and bad." I understand taking care of your own, but give him a front office position or something like everyone else (Draper, Maltby, Chelios, Fischer, etc.)

Between this, the Quincey re-signing and the last few years of mediocre-to-poor moves, I am slowly losing faith in Holland. The last really good thing he did was the Hossa signing, but, by all accounts, Hossa's agent reached out to Holland, not the other way around.

As a fan of a team that has had some very questionable management (the Lions), I think I have a pretty keen sense of when things are starting to slip.

Holland... You're officially on notice.

[Suburban Rhythm]

The Red Wings have re-signed Dan Cleary to a 1 year $1.5 million (with another possible $1 million in bonuses) deal.

This deal makes no sense. Cleary was a warrior and decent player, but that time has passed. At 35 and after close to 1,000 NHL games, his body is broken down and he just doesn't have the skill set anymore to be an effective NHL player.

The Wings don't have to roster space for this. They now have 14 forwards under contract, including sure-to-be-re-signed RFA Tatar. If Alfredsson comes back that makes 15. This means Jurco will go back to the AHL, and the chances that out-of-AHL-option guys like Ferarro and Callahan to make the team are very slim.

Holland did the same thing last year. He had Bertuzzi, Samuelsson and Cleary, which forced guys like Nyquist to start the year in the AHL. He made all of these statements about how the NHL was a "man's game" and how Nyquist wasn't the "savior." Only, when he was called up he kind of was and led the team in goals despite playing a little more than half the season.

You would think Holland would have learned his lesson with all of this, but apparently not. He even admitted that he re-signed Cleary out of "loyalty" and that with loyalty comes "good and bad." I understand taking care of your own, but give him a front office position or something like everyone else (Draper, Maltby, Chelios, Fischer, etc.)

Between this, the Quincey re-signing and the last few years of mediocre-to-poor moves, I am slowly losing faith in Holland. The last really good thing he did was the Hossa signing, but, by all accounts, Hossa's agent reached out to Holland, not the other way around.

As a fan of a team that has had some very questionable management (the Lions), I think I have a pretty keen sense of when things are starting to slip.

Holland... You're officially on notice.

Seems like, especially with the bonus, they were bidding against themselves. Was anyone else even rumored to be interested?

[The Jackal]

Wonder where Kevin Hayes is going to end up. If he doesn't sign with the Hawks by 8/15 (and it seems like he doesn't intend to) he becomes a UFA.

I don't see a trade for his rights happening because the Hawks get a 2nd round pick if he leaves. I think the Flyers could certainly open up a top six winger spot...

[Suburban Rhythm]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5xFq499xDzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[The Jackal]

That's pretty cool.

[JPhillips]

Caps d-man Conner Carrick:

"There’s just a strength that comes with having kids and drinking beer and those kind of things. These guys have it and I try to compete with it."

[claphamsa]

72M for Subban... cant say thats a bad deal

[BishopMVP]

Did anyone catch the story about Patrick Kane showing up at a beer league game in Buffalo? » Patrick Kane Showed Up At A Beer League Hockey Game In Buffalo Last Night And Dominated Barstool Sports – Chicago (http://chicago.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/patrick-kane-showed-up-to-a-beer-league-hockey-game-in-buffalo-last-night-and-dominated/)

(PS - Get Vinny Scarsella a training camp invite!)

[Chief Rum]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_XOgsIAUpxI?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Paul Bissonette is awesome. Although I wish he hadn't have done this in speedos.

[Neuqua]

Four new NHL expansion teams? Vegas, Seattle, Toronto and Quebec by 2017: Report | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/nhl-expansion-to-las-vegas-and-the-dumb-deal-on--done-deal-065603703.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

[Dr. Sak]

I can't believe Kansas City isn't a #1 destination for a hockey expansion team.

[JPhillips]

I don't know if KC can support the Penguins and an expansion team.

[Logan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxQDVLfIUAAfHPV.png

[Lathum]

I can't believe Kansas City isn't a #1 destination for a hockey expansion team.

Seattle would have to be a clear #1. They embrace soccer, have tons of canadians, large population with disposable income, young fanbase. The only thing holding them back is an arena. Key arena is a dump.

[Logan]

Seattle would have to be a clear #1. They embrace soccer, have tons of canadians, large population with disposable income, young fanbase. The only thing holding them back is an arena. Key arena is a dump.

Old joke buddy :).

[Suburban Rhythm]

Old joke buddy :).

I still have a couple t-shirts I bought. Just some local guy selling $5 shirts with the promise "all proceeds will be forwarded to Lemieux to keep the Penguins here"

One says "Crosby is a Yinzer" (yinzer being a dumb Pittsburgh local)

Another says "Kansas City is for Jagoffs" (jagoff being a jerk, in Pittsburgh-ese)

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Probably the best place to post this

Every year for the past 5 or so seasons, the Penguins have had players hand deliver ticket packages to season ticket holders. The core group - basically guaranteed on the roster - each visit 3 or so houses or businesses.

I got a call earlier this week confirming I'm getting a player visit this year, Monday afternoon.

They don't tell you the player - mainly fear if you get Crosby or Malkin that your entire neighborhood shuts down with traffic. But still exciting.

My son is pretty pumped. Already planning on wearing his mite team jersey, and setting up a net in the driveway

[Logan]

That's awesome SR!

[Suburban Rhythm]

They'll cover it on the local news, which I might make for a few seconds, but I'll definitely share my 15 minutes of fame once they load the visits to the Pens website

[Fidatelo]

That's super cool!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Our visit with Robert Bortuzzo

Yeah...it wasn't Sid or Malkin, but he could not have been more genuine. Sat on the couch, asking my kids about school, hockey, everything. Totally cool guy

[Suburban Rhythm]

And on a little bit of the video on the team site, from 0:49 - 0:56

<iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=630682&site=penguins" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe>

Not sure if embed will work, here's the link

http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=630682&catid=912

[Dr. Sak]

That's great! I'm sure your son has a memory he will never forget. I still believe that of all sports, hockey players are the most down to earth people.

[Suburban Rhythm]

That's great! I'm sure your son has a memory he will never forget. I still believe that of all sports, hockey players are the most down to earth people.

After a couple minutes, it was like my wife and I, my sister, the camera guy and the PR person weren't in the room. Just him and the kids.

Asked my daughter if she plays hockey. She said she dances. He said "That's awesome, too! I bet you can do stuff I can't, eh?"

Which...he said "Eh?" so many times, I found myself saying it the rest of the night. Canadian is contagious.

[Qwikshot]

That's really cool...

[Logan]

That's really awesome. Do any other teams do something similar?

I have a buddy who has had Rangers seasons in his family for about 45 years. He got to go on the ice once before a game, and besides that, he gets 20% off at the team store.

[sterlingice]

That is very cool! Love the pictures

SI

[CraigSca]

That's awesome! I guess there's a new favorite Penguin in your house, eh?

/gratuitous Canadian thrown in there

[Fidatelo]

That's real cool!

For what it's worth, I feel like a lot of us Canadian's are actually losing our "eh's". I don't say it very often anymore, not nearly as much as when I was younger, and I don't notice many of the people I interact with using it much either.

[MacroGuru]

First off, that is awesome SR! Memory of a lifetime for the kids and it probably sealed them as Penguins fans for life!

That's really awesome. Do any other teams do something similar?


I know the Sabres do and the Pegula's join the players in handing out the tickets as well.

[Suburban Rhythm]

We had practice last night, about 3 hours after our visit.

Watching Sam at practice was fantastic...overall, he's middle of the road talent wise. I have no delusions that I've got a future NHLer on my hands. Passing/shooting wise, he's above average. His skating is mediocre. And normally, especially in practices, he's a bit timid (my absolute biggest pet peeve).

In the locker room, I was telling a couple of the dads about our visit, and all the boys are asking him about it.

Last night was the hardest he's skated, by far, at a practice this year. It's weird to say, but the confidence of meeting an NHLer, and the notoriety it gave him among his team, really bloomed last night.

[Suburban Rhythm]

That's really awesome. Do any other teams do something similar?


I have to wonder why more organizations don't.

Some might have to do with, as has been touched upon here, the persona of the players involved. Hockey players are a different breed. Using NFL players might not have the same effect. MLB might have trouble with the number of Latin players who are uncomfortable in social situations because of the language barrier.

My wife worked at Pittsburgh's Children's hospital for about 8 years. And always talked about how when the Steelers visited, there were 1-2 really outgoing guys, and about 6-7 who showed up, went through the motions, and put in their time long enough to get out.

When the Penguins showed up, total opposite. Sure there were always maybe 1-2 guys who were more aloof (notably, she said, the year she started, Jagr), but always more genuine with the kids than any other group that came in.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Awkward

Selanne offers harsh criticism of Boudreau’s handling of him (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/18/selanne-offers-harsh-critic-of-boudreaus-handling-of-him/)

[The Jackal]

Awkward

Selanne offers harsh criticism of Boudreau’s handling of him (http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/09/18/selanne-offers-harsh-critic-of-boudreaus-handling-of-him/)

Yeah I remember seeing a quote from Teemu about how his ice time was being handled that struck me as surprisingly blunt at the time.. but it makes even more sense now.

[bhlloy]

Picking my words very carefully as he's obviously one of my favorite players of all time, but he showed nothing to deserve the extra ice time last year and I am firmly on Boudreau's side on this one. Like the Brodeur situation anyone else would have been out of the league after 20 games based on performance.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Ooof

Jordan Staal breaks leg in Hurricanes preseason game (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=731553&navid=nhl:topheads)

...and Ooof

Rangers' Stepan out with broken fibula (http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=31885&navid=nhl:topheads)

[BishopMVP]

Nice to see Marc Savard healthy enough to start scouting for a minor league team.

That said, it reminds me how dumb LITR is. Everyone knows we'll sign Krug/Smith once he's put on it, but they have to miss training camp and the preseason. And trading a Kelly/McQuaid before then might not even make sense, since we want to be as close as possible to the salary cap limit on Day 2 of the regular season.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Nice to see Marc Savard healthy enough to start scouting for a minor league team.

That said, it reminds me how dumb LITR is. Everyone knows we'll sign Krug/Smith once he's put on it, but they have to miss training camp and the preseason. And trading a Kelly/McQuaid before then might not even make sense, since we want to be as close as possible to the salary cap limit on Day 2 of the regular season.

There are ways around it. Penguins have done this before, manipulating the roster by sending guy down to ECHL (Pens ECHL team is in Wheeling WV, an hour away, as opposed to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 6 hours away) to recoup as much as possible against LTIR.

The bigger issue about how silly it is that he can be place on LTIR as a player, then accept a scouting position at the same time.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA found the example, from last season. Bruins did it as well last year

HOW DOES LONG-TERM-INJURED RESERVE (LTIR) WORK? (http://www.capgeek.com/faq/how-does-long-term-injured-reserve-LTIR-work)

The Pittsburgh Penguins followed Option 2. The upper limit was $64.3M and the Penguins’ Averaged Club Salary or cap payroll on the final day of training camp was $65,990,000, which included a healthy Beau Bennett ($990K cap hit) and an injured Tomas Vokoun ($2M cap hit). Rather than simply place Vokoun on LTIR, a move that would have left them with no cap space and a new upper limit of $65,990,000, they demoted Bennett and recalled Harrison Ruopp ($650,833 cap hit) and Chris Conner ($550K cap hit), two players with an aggregate Averaged Amount totalling $1,200,833. That increased their Averaged Club Salary to $66,290,833 — $1,990,833 above the upper limit or almost exactly the $2M cap hit of Vokoun. Only then did they place Vokoun on LTIR, leaving the Penguins with an upper limit of $66,290,833 for the duration of the LTIR designations. The Penguins recalled Bennett and demoted Ruopp and Conner the next day, bringing their Averaged Club Salary back down to $65,990,000, while leaving them with the flexibility to add $300,833 in Averaged Amounts, space created by the one-day swap of Bennett for Ruopp and Conner.

The Boston Bruins followed Option 1. The upper limit was $64.3M and the Bruins’ Averaged Club Salary or cap payroll on the final day of training camp was $66,086,309, including healthy Dougie Hamilton ($894,167 cap hit) and Torey Krug ($916,667 cap hit) — whose aggregate Averaged Amount was $1,810,834 — and injured Marc Savard ($4,027,143 cap hit). Rather than simply place Savard on LTIR, a move that would have left them with no cap space and a new upper limit of $66,086,309, the Bruins demoted Hamilton and Krug on the final day of training camp, reducing their Averaged Club Salary from $66,086,309 to $64,275,475 — just $24,525 under the upper limit. Only then did the Bruins place Savard on LTIR, giving them a new upper limit of $68,302,618. The Bruins then recalled Hamilton and Krug and included them on their opening-day roster, bringing their Averaged Club Salary back up to $66,086,309, with the flexibility to add $2,216,309 more in Averaged Amounts, cap space that would not have existed without the one-day demotion of Hamilton and Krug. It’s important to note that the Bruins had performance bonuses exceeding the bonus cushion that reduces the figures listed in this example, but they are ignored for ease of understanding the example.

[BishopMVP]

There are ways around it. Penguins have done this before, manipulating the roster by sending guy down to ECHL (Pens ECHL team is in Wheeling WV, an hour away, as opposed to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 6 hours away) to recoup as much as possible against LTIR.

The bigger issue about how silly it is that he can be place on LTIR as a player, then accept a scouting position at the same time.Exactly. We'll do paper moves and manipulate who's in Providence so we're as close as possible to the salary cap limit on opening night... Then put Savard on LTIR to open up 4 million, then recall players/sign Krug/Smith the next day. Instead of just being able to put Savard on LTIR now, and have that $4 million available without the need for shenanigans.

Not sure why you'd be opposed to him working in a non-athletic capacity for an organization with no ties to the Bruins. Players are allowed to have part-time jobs (spokesman, etc) as long as it doesn't interfere with their playing or risk injury. (I'm also pretty sure it'd be terrible PR to be seen as being petty or telling someone who lost an NHL career due to concussions what he can or can not do in his ample spare time. And its not like the Bruins want him to retire - that'd actually mess up our cap even more!)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not sure why you'd be opposed to him working in a non-athletic capacity for an organization with no ties to the Bruins. Players are allowed to have part-time jobs (spokesman, etc) as long as it doesn't interfere with their playing or risk injury. (I'm also pretty sure it'd be terrible PR to be seen as being petty or telling someone who lost an NHL career due to concussions what he can or can not do in his ample spare time. And its not like the Bruins want him to retire - that'd actually mess up our cap even more!)

I understand why the team (avoid cap disaster) and player (receive salary) want to remain "active" and under contract. Because of the guaranteed $, it's beneficial for both sides. More annoying the NHL didn't forsee this and put in a provision to allow career-ending injuries to be removed from the books. Right now, team and league doctors give the thumbs up to the LTIR status, so wouldn't be any different. Player gets a settlement, team gets out from under remaining contract. That $4m for the Bruins is already available.


And I'll add they can have part time gigs outside of the organization. I'm sure the Bruins did their due diligence on this, but assume he's scouting for no salary? Otherwise I think the NHL would look into that as some sort of circumvention. It's why the Penguins can't call Crosby a player/team president, and pay him $1m as a player, and $10m as an executive

[The Jackal]

This is a good article as well, Flyers have been dealing with this for a few years now with Pronger:

How the Flyers can maximize their salary cap space - Broad Street Hockey (http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2014/7/3/5865615/flyers-salary-cap-pronger-ltir)

[BishopMVP]

I understand why the team (avoid cap disaster) and player (receive salary) want to remain "active" and under contract. Because of the guaranteed $, it's beneficial for both sides. More annoying the NHL didn't forsee this and put in a provision to allow career-ending injuries to be removed from the books. Right now, team and league doctors give the thumbs up to the LTIR status, so wouldn't be any different. Player gets a settlement, team gets out from under remaining contract. That $4m for the Bruins is already available.


And I'll add they can have part time gigs outside of the organization. I'm sure the Bruins did their due diligence on this, but assume he's scouting for no salary? Otherwise I think the NHL would look into that as some sort of circumvention. It's why the Penguins can't call Crosby a player/team president, and pay him $1m as a player, and $10m as an executive100% agreed on the first part - this should be an easy fix in the next CBA, but who knows if they'll remember to do it.

No idea if Savard is getting paid, but don't see why it would matter. He's not scouting for the Bruins organization, but an OHL team. That's no different IMO than a player working for a law firm, or a TSN, or getting paid to coach youth kids in the summer.

[JPhillips]

I didn't realize Trotz is the first coach with NHL head coaching experience hired by the Caps since 1997.

[MikeVic]

Can someone explain teh Jets placing Budaj on waivers to me? Is this some weird NHL waivers/trade thing? The Jets would get a compensatory pick if Budaj is claimed, OR they get him in the minors? Either way, seems kinda weird to just trade for him over the weekend and now do this?
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nhl/1497/peter-budaj

[Fidatelo]

Can someone explain teh Jets placing Budaj on waivers to me? Is this some weird NHL waivers/trade thing? The Jets would get a compensatory pick if Budaj is claimed, OR they get him in the minors? Either way, seems kinda weird to just trade for him over the weekend and now do this?
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nhl/1497/peter-budaj

I assume they just wanted an experienced vet in the system. If Hutch falls on his face at the NHL level they can call up Budaj. In the meantime he is apparently a great guy so he can mentor Helly down on the rock and be there as insurance for them too. And if someone picks him off waivers on the way down (probably unlikely), that's not a huge concern either, since they only gave up Tangradi for him and Tangradi was clearly going nowhere in this organization.