Around the League 2018-2019 Part 3

[damacles1156]

Guess Ebert became the Swedish league version of Kevin Dallman.

33 pts. in 49 games this past season.

I always thought it was a mistake the Kings gave up on Ebert. He has magic hands(sometimes) and a good first pass.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I always thought it was a mistake the Kings gave up on Ebert. He has magic hands(sometimes) and a good first pass.

On the flip side, they've worked wonders with Jack Campbell and he's performed well beyond what anyone expected out of him. Ebert just seemed like another redundant minor league defenseman. But he's still 25 and could win himself a job on Ottawa's blueline. If he's able to accomplish that, kudos to Mr. Irrelevant.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Ovechkin's contract was signed in 2008 when the salary cap was 56.7M.

If Ovechkin was signing his contract today it would be 14M per season.

Actually didn't know Ovi's AAV was so high but my point still stands. Ovi is top 10 in the NHL in AAV. A player like Skinner shouldn't be anywhere near him in terms of pay. I guess the only reason it makes sense is because it's Buffalo.

 

[DoktorJeep]

It’s the term on these high dollar contracts that’s ruining the game, when combined with the hard cap. Watch Skinner get full trade protection to boot. What does the Buffalo GM care if the player is past his physical prime. He’ll be gone most likely before the contract is half over.

 

[ScoreZeGoals]

It’s the term on these high dollar contracts that’s ruining the game, when combined with the hard cap. Watch Skinner get full trade protection to boot. What does the Buffalo GM care if the player is past his physical prime. He’ll be gone most likely before the contract is half over.

He got a full NMC for all 8 years

 

[Sleeping Dog]

He got a full NMC for all 8 years

We can all give a few examples of DL’s mistakes over his time here, but you gotta commend him on his reluctance on handing out NMCs.

 

[kovacro]

We can all give a few examples of DL’s mistakes over his time here, but you gotta commend him on his reluctance on handing out NMCs.

Indeed. Also, I don’t mind that Dean paid guys after the Kings won a Cup. They earned that paycheque.

Skinner is another example in a long line of players getting these long term deals who haven’t won jack shit yet.

 

[KINGS17]

It’s the term on these high dollar contracts that’s ruining the game, when combined with the hard cap. Watch Skinner get full trade protection to boot. What does the Buffalo GM care if the player is past his physical prime. He’ll be gone most likely before the contract is half over.

Unfortunately, this is prevalent in all types of businesses today. Senior leadership in almost every organization is focused on the next quarter. In hockey the GM is only focused on the next season, or at the most the next three seasons. Why? Because as you have correctly stated the GM is not going to stick around to have to clean up the mess.

Imagine being a fan of the Sabres. Sure you're excited to get to watch Skinner for the next few seasons, but for that privilege you have to watch him decline the last 3-4 years of his contract. That type of situation doesn't inspire me to buy tickets to any games, much less season tickets. Winning a Stanley Cup is very difficult. I don't expect the Kings to ever win another one in my lifetime, but I do expect them to have a plan to get there and try to execute on it.

I may not be the typical fan who may be satisfied going to games and swooning over one or two stars on a team, or getting wrapped up in fond memories of long past glory. I think the owners are obviously using the wrong metrics to judge their employees, but I could be wrong. It is only going to change when there are a lot of empty seats at various arenas with several late-30 somethings skating for both teams.

I notice in the news there are a lot of teams in MLB this season with almost empty stadiums, because the owners don't know how to put a competitive team on the field, or even show their fans they are building something. I hope the NHL owners figure this out and get rid of the guaranteed contracts, so there is a constant flow of new and better talent into the league. That is what this fan wants, and the fans pay the bills.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I always thought it was a mistake the Kings gave up on Ebert. He has magic hands(sometimes) and a good first pass.

I find that to be a far too liberal use of the word mistake. If you can easily be replaced by Sean Walker, then who are we talking about?

Buffalo is just in a no win situation with Skinner. They have no depth, they have a big contract star player that has previously criticized the organization, no playoffs in forever, and so they can't lose Skinner on top of all that, and Skinner/his agent know that. They had them right where they wanted them.

They've got competing economic systems, the needs/wants of the individual vs. the needs/wants of the collective, and that's why it all doesn't quite work efficiently. It doesn't matter what the CBA is, whatever the dumbest contract possible is, it will get done. It's a good idea to make the contract limits as strict and as pro-team as possible, but in demand players will get the maximum they can.

 

[DoktorJeep]

He got a full NMC for all 8 years

I didn’t see the news, been on the road for work. It’s a joke that a one dimensional player can bend a weak GM over the desk.

Unfortunately, this is prevalent in all types of businesses today. Senior leadership in almost every organization is focused on the next quarter. In hockey the GM is only focused on the next season, or at the most the next three seasons. Why? Because as you have correctly stated the GM is not going to stick around to have to clean up the mess.

Imagine being a fan of the Sabres. Sure you're excited to get to watch Skinner for the next few seasons, but for that privilege you have to watch him decline the last 3-4 years of his contract. That type of situation doesn't inspire me to buy tickets to any games, much less season tickets. Winning a Stanley Cup is very difficult. I don't expect the Kings to ever win another one in my lifetime, but I do expect them to have a plan to get there and try to execute on it.

I may not be the typical fan who may be satisfied going to games and swooning over one or two stars on a team, or getting wrapped up in fond memories of long past glory. I think the owners are obviously using the wrong metrics to judge their employees, but I could be wrong. It is only going to change when there are a lot of empty seats at various arenas with several late-30 somethings skating for both teams.

I notice in the news there are a lot of teams in MLB this season with almost empty stadiums, because the owners don't know how to put a competitive team on the field, or even show their fans they are building something. I hope the NHL owners figure this out and get rid of the guaranteed contracts, so there is a constant flow of new and better talent into the league. That is what this fan wants, and the fans pay the bills.

Unfortunately, I’ve made my living serving the C suite in Fortune 1000 America. So I’ve seen executive compensation packages, and it is rare, in my experience, for corporate officers to have contracts longer than 3-5 years. Most boards won’t approve that. Private / smaller companies may be completely different.

 

[lumbergh]

Is he officially done?

Evidently this item has been purchased by quite a few posters on this board:

 

[KINGS17]

I didn’t see the news, been on the road for work. It’s a joke that a one dimensional player can bend a weak GM over the desk.



Unfortunately, I’ve made my living serving the C suite in Fortune 1000 America. So I’ve seen executive compensation packages, and it is rare, in my experience, for corporate officers to have contracts longer than 3-5 years. Most boards won’t approve that. Private / smaller companies may be completely different.

I work in the aircraft industry, which I am sure many of you know has one of the biggest companies in America seeing a dramatic drop in public trust at this time. Sadly, it is deserved because too many managers within this company are not in it for the long haul.

What gets measured, gets done, and corporate boards, Wall Street, and stockholders are measuring the wrong things.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Unfortunately, this is prevalent in all types of businesses today. Senior leadership in almost every organization is focused on the next quarter. In hockey the GM is only focused on the next season, or at the most the next three seasons. Why? Because as you have correctly stated the GM is not going to stick around to have to clean up the mess.

Imagine being a fan of the Sabres. Sure you're excited to get to watch Skinner for the next few seasons, but for that privilege you have to watch him decline the last 3-4 years of his contract. That type of situation doesn't inspire me to buy tickets to any games, much less season tickets. Winning a Stanley Cup is very difficult. I don't expect the Kings to ever win another one in my lifetime, but I do expect them to have a plan to get there and try to execute on it.

I may not be the typical fan who may be satisfied going to games and swooning over one or two stars on a team, or getting wrapped up in fond memories of long past glory. I think the owners are obviously using the wrong metrics to judge their employees, but I could be wrong. It is only going to change when there are a lot of empty seats at various arenas with several late-30 somethings skating for both teams.

I notice in the news there are a lot of teams in MLB this season with almost empty stadiums, because the owners don't know how to put a competitive team on the field, or even show their fans they are building something. I hope the NHL owners figure this out and get rid of the guaranteed contracts, so there is a constant flow of new and better talent into the league. That is what this fan wants, and the fans pay the bills.

The problem is that every player isn't easily replaceable, even the bad ones, so the players do have some leverage. Not enough to win CBA negotiations, but even NFL players are getting guaranteed money now. Mostly QB's, but it's creeping in on all sides.

On top of that, there probably are too many teams in every league. It's too easy to go 5-10 years without doing anything. Even if you don't make gigantic mistakes. The cap somewhat helps with that, because if you want to keep your star, you can. At least you have your star player then, which is better than being a farm team for teams with money. The argument can be made that if you can't spend with the big boys, then you shouldn't be with the big boys, but pro sports left that gate open a long time ago.

 

[KINGS17]

The problem is that every player isn't easily replaceable, even the bad ones, so the players do have some leverage. Not enough to win CBA negotiations, but even NFL players are getting guaranteed money now. Mostly QB's, but it's creeping in on all sides.

On top of that, there probably are too many teams in every league. It's too easy to go 5-10 years without doing anything. Even if you don't make gigantic mistakes. The cap somewhat helps with that, because if you want to keep your star, you can. At least you have your star player then, which is better than being a farm team for teams with money. The argument can be made that if you can't spend with the big boys, then you shouldn't be with the big boys, but pro sports left that gate open a long time ago.

Agree 100%. I wouldn't mind seeing the NHL contract to 24 teams. It would be so much better for fans. Reduce the number of regular season games, play as many games as possible on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

With travel as inexpensive as it is today offer packages for airline tickets, hotel, and game tickets. Make it more of an experience for the fan.

Never going to happen. Unless, maybe the fans demand it.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

Didn't they say the same thing about Muzzin?

Yes, they did, and they were right. Muzzin defied all reasonable expectations.

Muzzin also played three full seasons in juniors after he was drafted. Vilardi has barely cobbled together one full season combined in juniors since he was drafted. Even Muzzin’s least played season saw him play 50+ games between juniors and minors.

Vilardi played four games TOTAL in the entire 18/19 season. He essentially missed an entire year due to injuries. That’s unprecedented for a 20 year old bluechip prospect. Even if he were to magically recover his health, he missed an entire year of development.

This franchise cannot count on Vilardi to be some centerpiece of the future. I’ve been saying it for years now: the kid’s health can’t even hold up taking hits from other teenagers. Imagine what will happen to him when he’s getting crushed by 26 year old 230lb NHL defensemen?

 

[kingsholygrail]

Evidently this item has been purchased by quite a few posters on this board:

When I watch baby bird nests and there's that one that hatches days after it's siblings, there is always hope it will survive and fledge with its brothers and sisters, but usually it dies.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Yes, they did, and they were right. Muzzin defied all reasonable expectations.

Muzzin also played three full seasons in juniors after he was drafted. Vilardi has barely cobbled together one full season combined in juniors since he was drafted. Even Muzzin’s least played season saw him play 50+ games between juniors and minors.

Vilardi played four games TOTAL in the entire 18/19 season. He essentially missed an entire year due to injuries. That’s unprecedented for a 20 year old bluechip prospect. Even if he were to magically recover his health, he missed an entire year of development.

This franchise cannot count on Vilardi to be some centerpiece of the future. I’ve been saying it for years now: the kid’s health can’t even hold up taking hits from other teenagers. Imagine what will happen to him when he’s getting crushed by 26 year old 230lb NHL defensemen?

I guess that depends on how many of his injuries you think are actually caused by contact/impact. Appendix, probably not. Knee, to some degree yes, but not sure that's a Vilardi-exclusive "problem." Back? It's not like he got hit and never came back, that was cumulative somehow.

I'm a little hesitant to say anything definitive. I agree we shouldn't count on him, but you seem really, really eager to write him off. Truth is, we don't know. he could recover like Jake Muzzin. He could be 'injury prone' like Justin Williams was. He could be Scott Barney. What sucks is the uncertainty, so people speaking in certainties irks me a little (and that counts as much for people putting him in the lineup as much as it does for people saying he's toast).

 

[johnjm22]

Actually didn't know Ovi's AAV was so high but my point still stands. Ovi is top 10 in the NHL in AAV. A player like Skinner shouldn't be anywhere near him in terms of pay. I guess the only reason it makes sense is because it's Buffalo.

Not really.

My parents bought a 2500 square foot house in a nice area for 80K a long time ago. By your logic I should be able to buy a similar house for the same price today.

The price for a top UFA scorer has always been around 10% of the cap which is what Skinner signed for.

 

[kingsfan28]

Indeed. Also, I don’t mind that Dean paid guys after the Kings won a Cup. They earned that paycheque.

Skinner is another example in a long line of players getting these long term deals who haven’t won jack **** yet.

Wait til we see the mega deals coming this summer with the RFA's . Not a single one has won a thing, yet will be paid as if they've won two.

 

[deeshamrock]

Per LeBrun, Ducks looking to trade Perry or buy him out...they'd have to eat a lot of that contract for a move to work.

https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/s...t-trade-or-buy-out-sharks-nemesis-corey-perry

"[The] reality is that Anaheim is going with a younger roster and the timing is right for this change," LeBrun wrote.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Duhatschek Notebook: What if NHL GMs played the white...

Interesting scenarios involving the Kings trading their trash for other teams junk.

Okposo, Marleau to LA
Kovalchuk to TO
Phaneuf to EDM.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Wait til we see the mega deals coming this summer with the RFA's . Not a single one has won a thing, yet will be paid as if they've won two.

It's gonna make a lot of hot takes really inconvenient when the already-arbitrary 10-million line starts getting broken repeatedly.

 

[kovacro]

Duhatschek Notebook: What if NHL GMs played the white...

Interesting scenarios involving the Kings trading their trash for other teams junk.

Okposo, Marleau to LA
Kovalchuk to TO
Phaneuf to EDM.

Kovy isn’t garbage. He was a victim of an imbecile for a coach. He can still certainly contribute to a team unlike the other guys in that group.

f*** do I want Okposo on the Kings. He has 4 years left at 6 million per against the cap.

I’d rather keep Phaneuf and ride it out with him one more year. Same with Kovy. I’m intranet to see how he does with the new coaching staff.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

I guess that depends on how many of his injuries you think are actually caused by contact/impact. Appendix, probably not. Knee, to some degree yes, but not sure that's a Vilardi-exclusive "problem." Back? It's not like he got hit and never came back, that was cumulative somehow.

I'm a little hesitant to say anything definitive. I agree we shouldn't count on him, but you seem really, really eager to write him off. Truth is, we don't know. he could recover like Jake Muzzin. He could be 'injury prone' like Justin Williams was. He could be Scott Barney. What sucks is the uncertainty, so people speaking in certainties irks me a little (and that counts as much for people putting him in the lineup as much as it does for people saying he's toast).

I said in a previous post that of course there’s a chance Vilardi can recover and have a successful career. There’s also a chance the Kings win the Cup next year.

But judging by every reasonable metric, neither of those things will happen. Neither Muzzin nor Williams missed an entire season when they were developing prospects.

 

[KINGS17]

Not really.

My parents bought a 2500 square foot house in a nice area for 80K a long time ago. By your logic I should be able to buy a similar house for the same price today.

The price for a top UFA scorer has always been around 10% of the cap which is what Skinner signed for.

The money is probably fine. As always, it's the length of term which makes it a bad contract. GMs are being so short-sighted in this area, and I think they don't care because whoever the GM happens to be at the time of the signing knows he won't be around at the last 3-4 years of the deal.