Around the League - 2024-2025

[LeafsNet]

Funny how the NHL is panicking now, like this wasn't an issue ten years ago. They still haven't figured out that oversaturating the league with outdoor games will cause the lure of these games to decrease.

Also funny how to this day the most attended and watched outdoor game is the 2014 Winter Classic...I remember the NHL claiming a Canadian team would cause a drop in ratings.

Reality was this.

105,491 in attendance at the Big House in Ann Arbor (#1 among outdoor games).

8,234,000 viewers across the United States and Canada (most-watched regular season NHL game in history).

Take a hint already.

 

[Dekes For Days]

They started red hot and were 1st in the league. Now they're 5th in the conference.
You're just assuming they turn it around. The Rangers did not. It's a tale of what can happen when you keep losing. The Leafs haven't lost 4 in a row all season for reference.

That's pretty misleading. The only time NJ was 1st in the league was the first few days of the season when only they and Buffalo had played games. They were 0.615 in October, 0.643 in November, and 0.654 in December, so if anything, they've been improving throughout the season until this rough stretch. The complete opposite of the Rangers. New Jersey actually had a 4 game losing streak in October too, and guess what? Everything didn't fall apart. We haven't had a 4 game losing streak yet this year, but we've had a 3 game losing streak and lost 4 in 5 like them. Negligible differences.

I haven't assumed anything. I've just looked at what they've done. You're the one randomly assuming that a 4 game losing streak means an entire collapse. We didn't collapse last year when we had two 4 game losing streaks and a 5 game losing streak. The Rangers have the 23rd best underlying metrics in the league, and even before their collapse, they've always relied on more fragile factors for success. Also, their locker room is imploding. New Jersey, in contrast, has the best underlying metrics in the league, and there's no indication of some bigger issue or collapse. I'm not sure where you've pulled this idea from. If anything, they're more likely to rise from here, as their 12th place ranking is lagging behind their 6th best goal differential and best in the league underlying metrics.

 

[ULF_55]

Draisaitl leading candidate so far?

Running away with Rocket, right there for Ross.

 

[PromisedLand]

this is interesting.... has anyone seen contract done like this before?

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I am a bit surpried how badly bedard's shot and in general goal scoring talents have translated this season, his playmaking totals are fine IMO but his goal scoring is shocking

I get it's a bit hard because who tf is passing him the puck, but he has somehow taken a step back in totals

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I am a bit surpried how badly bedard's shot and in general goal scoring talents have translated this season, his playmaking totals are fine IMO but his goal scoring is shocking

I get it's a bit hard because who tf is passing him the puck, but he has somehow taken a step back in totals

I think his confidence is completely f***ed. It is without a doubt the first time in his entire life he has done anything other then dominate and win...a lot. He doesn't seem to be handling it well. See if he comes out the other end of this.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I think his confidence is completely f***ed. It is without a doubt the first time in his entire life he has done anything other then dominate and win...a lot. He doesn't seem to be handling it well. See if he comes out the other end of this.

Yea that is true, can only imagine how different things would look if he and celebrini could swap places right now

but man, the expectations placed on him to carry that dumpster fire of a team were way too much.

 

[Evilhomer]

this is interesting.... has anyone seen contract done like this before?

As a lawyer, I can't believe the lawyers didn't draft for the treatment of deferred salary when they were revising the CBA in the last round of negotiations. The fact that it can be used to lower the AAV of a contract basically makes a mockery of the cap.

 

[Menzinger]

this is interesting.... has anyone seen contract done like this before?

More contracts are starting to have deferred salary - the Leafs just did this with McCabe.

That said, that's a sizable chunk of cash,.and i think this is the most lopsided deal we've seen structured this way.

Also not the tax element - more proof it absolutely is taken into account during the contracting process

 

[Evilhomer]

The drop-off in Boston has been pretty dramatic. They are a really mediocre team now, and it's only going to get worse for them.

 

[Evilhomer]

Tampa is sure using those games in hand to its benefit.

 

[LeafEgo]

As a lawyer, I can't believe the lawyers didn't draft for the treatment of deferred salary when they were revising the CBA in the last round of negotiations. The fact that it can be used to lower the AAV of a contract basically makes a mockery of the cap.

So long as it's available: Give Marner the max, 8x17.5M or whatever it will be, and see how much his camp will let you defer so that future value is equivalent to 8x12.5M or whatever it needs to be - get his annual cap hit down to less than 10M.

That would probably put an end to it (and we get the last one in a big way).

 

[Gabriel426]

So long as it's available: Give Marner the max, 8x17.5M or whatever it will be, and see how much his camp will let you defer so that future value is equivalent to 8x12.5M or whatever it needs to be - get his annual cap hit down to less than 10M.

That would probably put an end to it (and we get the last one in a big way).

Would the deferred salary still count against the cap when given out years after the contract?

 

[LeafEgo]

Would the deferred salary still count against the cap when given out years after the contract?

Nope - CBA applies time value of money to deferred payments post contract end date so the annual cap hits are discounted. That's why we are seeing all these deferred contract structures now.

 

[Evilhomer]

So long as it's available: Give Marner the max, 8x17.5M or whatever it will be, and see how much his camp will let you defer so that future value is equivalent to 8x12.5M or whatever it needs to be - get his annual cap hit down to less than 10M.

That would probably put an end to it (and we get the last one in a big way).

It's interesting that the Leafs did with it McCabe, but not with Matthews. Makes you wonder whether Matthews camp didn't want to go for deferred money. Taking deferred money is generally not something I would think most players would agree to, so I think it's interesting to see which players have gone that route.

 

[Jojalu]

Unlikely to happen but at the halfway point Was would face Pit in the first round.

One last Ovie vs Sid matchup would be interesting

 

[BallardEra]

Unlikely to happen but at the halfway point Was would face Pit in the first round.

One last Ovie vs Sid matchup would be interesting

Crosby and Malkin look cooked. A combined 19 goals halfway through the season.

Sens also have 3 games in hand on the Pens and other teams have games in hand on them too.

Pens also have a league worst GAA.

 

[LeafEgo]

It's interesting that the Leafs did with it McCabe, but not with Matthews. Makes you wonder whether Matthews camp didn't want to go for deferred money. Taking deferred money is generally not something I would think most players would agree to, so I think it's interesting to see which players have gone that route.

I think this trend happened post Matty contract - perhaps Pridham was sleeping.

It's really just about what discount rate is applied to the future money. Every player/camp will have their own calculation but there's always going to be a number they would accept (but maybe the org doesn't).

My proposition is for Toronto to flex their financial strength and offer a league max contract. Even if Marners camp get ridiculous with the discount rate you're still looking at a significant annual cap savings.

 

[Evilhomer]

Apparently, other than Toronto and Montreal, no team in the Atlantic division feels like winning much anymore.

 

[Jojalu]

Crosby and Malkin look cooked. A combined 19 goals halfway through the season.

Sens also have 3 games in hand on the Pens and other teams have games in hand on them too.

Pens also have a league worst GAA.

Crosby still finding a way to be over a PPG but I don't think they make it.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Wow Anaheim took out Tampa. And just after the Athletic had an article fondling the Lightning’s balls.

 

[Evilhomer]

I think this trend happened post Matty contract - perhaps Pridham was sleeping.

It's really just about what discount rate is applied to the future money. Every player/camp will have their own calculation but there's always going to be a number they would accept (but maybe the org doesn't).

My proposition is for Toronto to flex their financial strength and offer a league max contract. Even if Marners camp get ridiculous with the discount rate you're still looking at a significant annual cap savings.

The challenge for the team is that guys like Matthews and Marner get a lot of their contract value in annual bonuses, and I'm not sure how keen a player would be to defer a big portion of those payments. As you say, ultimately it's just about the discount rate that is used, so you never know.

 

[Evilhomer]

Wow Anaheim took out Tampa. And just after the Athletic had an article fondling the Lightning’s balls.

Lots on people on this board were fondling those same balls over the last few weeks. That is a team I have never been concerned with this season. They have one line that shows up over small stretches and then disappears, and virtually nothing else in the lineup. Great GM, but you can only do so much when you have given up so many assets to win. Happens to every great team.

 

[LeafEgo]

The challenge for the team is that guys like Matthews and Marner get a lot of their contract value in annual bonuses, and I'm not sure how keen a player would be to defer a big portion of those payments. As you say, ultimately it's just about the discount rate that is used, so you never know.

Yep. Even if the player/camp screws you on the discount rate the total loss is still going to be less than what we paid Babs to go to the beach.

Edit - to your point, if they standardize calculations that would place limitations on what they can do, and maybe can't get there with a player like Marner.

 

[Gabriel426]

Nope - CBA applies time value of money to deferred payments post contract end date so the annual cap hits are discounted. That's why we are seeing all these deferred contract structures now.

And what is the max deferred amount for contract?