Rumor: 2025 Trade Rumors and Free Agency | The Aftermath

Nelson > Lindgren > JD > Kivi is the order in which I prioritize the UFAs.

I think Drouin's getting re-signed regardless. It's been set up with his discount one year deals and even though he's played great, his injuries have probably limited how much he can command.

I'd guess he gets $4.5-5M x 3-4.

I'm also not sure it will cost as much as some think to re-sign Lindgren, but we'll see.
 
The legit good Russians always come to the league. Just might take some time. The KHL is not nearly what it used to be and competitors want to compete with the best.

For role/depth players it becomes iffy. Going to the A is not that enticing.
 
The legit good Russians always come to the league. Just might take some time. The KHL is not nearly what it used to be and competitors want to compete with the best.
They do but sometimes it takes a while. This dude is already 23...Kaprizov took forever too.
 
It might take "forever" for those junior/NCAA guys to make it too. Many Russians tend to just skip the AHL part, at least the long grind part.
That's different for players that are in North America or Europe.

5 years without having anything to say about your player's development is a big thing for teams. It takes a big leap of faith towards the KHL.

We've seen what they have done to Demidov this year. They benched his ass for several games because he wouldn't re-sign there...then made a big PR thing when they released him. God knows how much money Montreal had to pay for that. It's not ideal.

Even with Michkov and Demidov coming to the NHL early the good ol' "Russian Factor" is alive and well.
 
Last edited:
That's different for players that are in North America or Europe.

5 years without having anything to say about your player's development is a big thing for teams. It takes a big leap of faith towards the KHL.

We've seen what they have done to Demidov this year. They benched his ass for several games because he wouldn't re-sign there...then made a big PR thing when they released him. God knows how much money Montreal had to pay for that. It's not ideal.
That's the narrative. However, when you have to start naming legit Russian NHLers that just straight up refused to come over after the KHL lost its mojo there is not much to name.

I'd be more anxious about those NCAA guys who opt to hit free agency or force their way out way more frequently.
 
That's the narrative. However, when you have to start naming legit Russian NHLers that just straight up refused to come over after the KHL lost its mojo there is not much to name.

I'd be more anxious about those NCAA guys who opt to hit free agency or force their way out way more frequently.
I don't think teams fear that they will never come, they just don't want to deal with all the BS unless the prospect is head and shoulders above the next guy in line.
 
The Fedotov thing to me was way more unsettling. They involved the military and they did something to him that made him physically ill for a time. That was all kinds of f***ed up.

It'll definitely make some of these Russian prospects drop in the draft, but if there's a top-tier talent to be had, that guy will still go as high as ever. They will find a way to get him over to NA, even if they have to bribe all the Russian officials they can in the process.
 
I've long believed the NCAA factor is WAY more of a risk than the Russian factor.

These American kids are actively spurning the teams drafting them to be selective in who they play for.
Yep. It's been quite clear the NCAA route is far more dangerous for team control the last few years.

Still the Russian factor is the only thing that gets talked about. I guess because the K is not in North America.
 
Yep. It's been quite clear the NCAA route is far more dangerous for team control the last few years.

Still the Russian factor is the only thing that gets talked about. I guess because the K is not in North America.

NCAA players don't play outside the NHL by choice though, and the teams that lose out on NCAA UFA's, can still sign other team's NCAA UFA's. Doesn't seem comparable IMO.
 
In the last 15 years Adam Fox is the only high profile NCAA player I can think of that f***ed over the team that drafted him. I'm obviously not counting bums like Vesey.

Others are still using threats of doing it to burn the first year off their ELC, which is a shame, but other than that it's not that big of an issue.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the NCAA threat but it's nowhere near as bad for teams as having to deal with the KHL and not having a word on development nor knowing if the player will re-up there for several years after being drafted. This is a much bigger deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Foppa2118
In the last 15 years Adam Fox is the only high profile NCAA player I can think of that f***ed over the team that drafted him. I'm obviously not counting bums like Vesey.

Others are still using threats of doing it to burn the first year off their ELC, which is a shame, but other than that it's not that big of an issue.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the NCAA threat but it's nowhere near as bad for teams as having to deal with the KHL and not having a word on development nor knowing if the player will re-up there for several years after being drafted. This is a much bigger deal.

Yeah, a lot of Will Butcher's in those situations. The really good ones tend to sign with their team.

And if you lose one, you can still sign another team's UFA. Like the Avs did signing Kerfoot away from NJ, almost as payback for them signing Butcher. I think the Avs got the better end of that deal.

Ironically, Butcher played in the KHL this year btw.
 
In the last 15 years Adam Fox is the only high profile NCAA player I can think of that f***ed over the team that drafted him. I'm obviously not counting bums like Vesey.

Others are still using threats of doing it to burn the first year off their ELC, which is a shame, but other than that it's not that big of an issue.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the NCAA threat but it's nowhere near as bad for teams as having to deal with the KHL and not having a word on development nor knowing if the player will re-up there for several years after being drafted. This is a much bigger deal.
Cutter Gauthier & Rutger McGroarty. Both ended up essentially forcing a trade. Just like Fox.
Justin Schultz a looong time ago.
Iirc, trade of rights to John Marino from Oilers to Pitt was the same reason as well.
 
I recall Tim Erixon (drafted out of Europe) forcing a trade from Calgary because he refused to sign, he ended up not being a great NHL player, but it just proves that it doesn't really matter where a players gets drafted from, if they don't want to sign, they don't have to, they just have to wait things out and the team loses their rights. In fact, NCAA players have their rights for four years following the draft, whereas players drafted from other leagues only have them for two.
 
More players from Europe should bet on themselves and play meaningful games in European top leagues rather than go on the AHL grind. That NHL contract is a very big temptation. Once you sign it, they often want you to come over to the AHL to be closer. I firmly believe this is a bad move for player development. Best to wait until you have a realistic chance to play on the NHL side.
 
More players from Europe should bet on themselves and play meaningful games in European top leagues rather than go on the AHL grind. That NHL contract is a very big temptation. Once you sign it, they often want you to come over to the AHL to be closer. I firmly believe this is a bad move for player development. Best to wait until you have a realistic chance to play on the NHL side.

I think the AHL is more competitive and a better learning curve to make the NHL than pretty much every single European league.

Just my $0.02.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Ad

Ad