Around the League '16-'17 There are no games after 82 edition

[tsanuri]

It's possible as President Trump did say recently he felt the US dollar was too strong. Raising the cap by $3M doesn't really solve the problem of cap-strapped teams long term though as most of them have these contracts on the books for 5 years+.

In Doughty's situation I think it will also come down to how well the Kings are playing and what the future looks like going forward a few years.

When Doughty's contract is up the Kings will have the following:

Brown age 34, and three more years left on his deal

Carter age 34, and three more years left on his deal

Kopitar age 31, and five more years left on his deal

Gaborik age 37, and two more years left on his deal

Quick age 33, and four more years left on his deal

I will let you guys look at Toronto's situation when Doughty hits UFA for purposes of comparison.

I think Blake better be ready to consider making the best trade he can.

That's just from the loonie going up based off the numbers I gave you. The numbers have gone up year over year just the last two slower than they had been.
So unless you think there will be no other growth that's just free money from the loonie getting back to a more average number historically.
And shows with his depressed it currently is the effect it has.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Something interesting? Karlsson is a UFA in the same summer as Doughty. Who would Toronto want more?

I guarantee Babcock would pick Doughty before you get Karlsson's second syllable out of your mouth.

 

[damacles1156]

Money won't be the issue for Doughty, Either the Kings or another team will make him the Highest paid player in the NHL.

What will matter is the team being a Cup Contender. Unfortunate for the Kings, they are not.

 

[Herby]

A team like Toronto with a potent offense and maybe not the greatest goaltending would take Doughty, and that is not even factoring in the hometown kid factor.

I think if you have a roster like the Kings that just can't seem to score that you take Karlsson.

 

[damacles1156]

Not sure just making the playoffs is going to be good enough.

Not even sure the Kings will make the playoffs next season.

Kopitar has to carry the load.

Carter needs to put up another good season.

Toffoli/Pearson both have to provide top six numbers.

The Defense has to not have a down turn, it needs to trend up again.

Everyone needs to stay healthy(relative).

All that, and it will still be a battle till the end of the season probably.

Going to need a very good year from Quick; because a new coach is not going to get this roster to outscore it's problems.

I think a huge increase in scoring is (Pie in the sky junk) people peddled years ago like: (Carter will score 40G yearly with Kopitar, Kopitar will be a 90 point player with Carter).

Junk like that.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Quick alone is worth a few wins. They would have made it this year if he wasn't injured.

Budaj was great, but Quick is on another level.

 

[damacles1156]

The West is in trouble if the WPG Jets Hire Sutter.

Jets and their younger bodies can play Sutter hockey, and have speed/size /skill in SPADES.

Jets would be a scary team, if Sutter got a 100% buy in from those youngsters.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Karlsson is going NOWHERE. Ottawa will give him a blank check. That team is nothing without him, he's the engine that makes them move.

Never know. Maybe Karlsson would want to play in the same place as national legend Borje Salming? Maybe play for and win a Cup with an O6 team, like another national legend Nicklas Lidstrom? You don't want to play for Toronto's younger brother your entire career do you?

I guarantee Babcock would pick Doughty before you get Karlsson's second syllable out of your mouth.

Never know. What's Babcock going to say when he's coaching Team Canada? That Karlsson's better? With the nationalism that surrounds the Olympics? Again, he did coach the perfect human in Lidstrom. Maybe he'd figure another Swedish legend in the making would be a good fit?

I'm sure nobody was saying the Kings would have 1 playoff win after 2014 either. It's all speculation, and there's little reason to make such definitive statements or guarantees. We can't say for sure what the reality will be 12 months from today, let alone 24 or 36 months from now. There are a lot of possibilities.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Speaking of, this is the most Karlsson thing ever: being completely lost and getting posterized on defense, bailed out by his goalie, then making an insane highlight reel pass that not only makes everyone forget about it but makes everyone question every Norris winner since 2012:

 

[kovacro]

A team like Toronto with a potent offense and maybe not the greatest goaltending would take Doughty, and that is not even factoring in the hometown kid factor.

I think if you have a roster like the Kings that just can't seem to score that you take Karlsson.

The "hometown" factor is overrated. Just because he's from London doesn't mean he'll go to Toronto if he reaches UFA status.

Plenty of other examples of guys who were from the GTA or close by that opted not to go to Toronto once they hit the open market. See Stamkos, Steven, as the most recent.

 

[Little Psycho]

All luck

 

[kovacro]

The West is in trouble if the WPG Jets Hire Sutter.

Jets and their younger bodies can play Sutter hockey, and have speed/size /skill in SPADES.

Jets would be a scary team, if Sutter got a 100% buy in from those youngsters.

They need help between the pipes. Not sold on Hellebuyck.

 

[KingsKnight]

Ottawa was up 3-0 about 4 minutes into the second, Boston scores 3 in the second to tie it. Also Boston only has 9 shots so far in the game.

 

[Little Psycho]

Leafs arena is rocking

 

[kovacro]

Leafs arena is rocking

It is outside as well in "Maple Leaf Square". Just rammed with people.

 

[onlyalad]

Is it wrong that I want every team in the Pacific to lose and the Oilers in the central

 

[Little Psycho]

It is outside as well in "Maple Leaf Square". Just rammed with people.

It's crazy. Leafs are entertaining, I underestimated them and I think the caps did too.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Is it wrong that I want every team in the Pacific to lose and the Oilers in the central

Yes you would be wrong because the Oilers aren't in the Central.

 

[kovacro]

It's crazy. Leafs are entertaining, I underestimated them and I think the caps did too.

They are a hard working bunch, full of **** and vinegar. They have bought in to what Babcock is preaching, especially the guys who have been there awhile, like Kadri, Gardiner, Van Reimsdyk.

 

[Little Psycho]

They are a hard working bunch, full of **** and vinegar. They have bought in to what Babcock is preaching, especially the guys who have been there awhile, like Kadri, Gardiner, Van Reimsdyk.

Can't believe I'm watching a Leafs game lol. Washington won't go far once again, not impressed

 

[Little Psycho]

I wanna be shocked that the Sharks aren't destroying the Oilers, but Sharks are gonna Shark. Sharks need some retooling but I hope they don't change.

 

[kovacro]

I wanna be shocked that the Sharks aren't destroying the Oilers, but Sharks are gonna Shark. Sharks need some retooling but I hope they don't change.

I'm not surprised. Sharks key guys are older and slow, the Oilers have young legs and pushing the Sharks around. They seem hungrier to get to the puck.

Window is about to slam shut for the Sharks.

 

[kovacro]

I don't remember ever seeing this many OT games this early in the playoffs. Leafs/Caps again going to OT.

 

[Davit17]

Lol at washington

 

[kingsholygrail]

lol Caps looking like paper tigers.