Around the NHL 2023-2024

[WeWentBlues]

Will be interesting to see if the Kings are able to get out from that Dubois contract, either via trade or buyout. Can't imagine the Kings using a retention slot for 7 years to make a trade more palatable. His NMC kicks in on July 1 so the clock is ticking.

The other interesting angle is Dubois turns 26 this summer. Prior to his birthday this June, the total buyout dollars are reasonable at the 1/3 rate. 16M spread over 14 seasons in actual cash. If money was of no concern to my organization, I would be pushing hard to trade for Dubois assuming the sweeteners from LA to take on such a bad contract were worthwhile. Would a first this year and next be a reasonable ask? Assuming they wouldn't move Clarke to get out from that contract.

Blues are obviously in no position to take on such a contract but just spitballing.

 

[Ridge1982]

The championships that we should’ve won were against the Patriots in 2001 and the Red Sox in 2013. Let’s face it, 2004 was a forgone conclusion when they beat the Yankees. 2013 was unforgivable because the Cards were the better team and still elected to pitch to Big Papi. St. Louis and Boston met for the championship four times in MLB, NFL, and NHL this century and the only cities to meet in each of the four major championship settings since 1946. Outside of the northeast and LA, the Boston hate here is legit. They denied us potential dynasties.

 

[Stupendous Yappi]

Will be interesting to see if the Kings are able to get out from that Dubois contract, either via trade or buyout. Can't imagine the Kings using a retention slot for 7 years to make a trade more palatable. His NMC kicks in on July 1 so the clock is ticking.

The other interesting angle is Dubois turns 26 this summer. Prior to his birthday this June, the total buyout dollars are reasonable at the 1/3 rate. 16M spread over 14 seasons in actual cash. If money was of no concern to my organization, I would be pushing hard to trade for Dubois assuming the sweeteners from LA to take on such a bad contract were worthwhile. Would a first this year and next be a reasonable ask? Assuming they wouldn't move Clarke to get out from that contract.

Blues are obviously in no position to take on such a contract but just spitballing.

This is the type of situation where the guy ends up on LTIR somehow after a year or two. At least historically that’s what we’ve seen in multiple examples.

 

[Ridge1982]

Just a Boston sports in general. For me personally it’s mostly just jealousy. They had the probably the greatest 20 year run for a city’s sports team.

It began against a St. Louis based team and was ended by another in the Blues. Go Carolina and the Cleveland Cavs.

 

[Reality Czech]

Will be interesting to see if the Kings are able to get out from that Dubois contract, either via trade or buyout. Can't imagine the Kings using a retention slot for 7 years to make a trade more palatable. His NMC kicks in on July 1 so the clock is ticking.

The other interesting angle is Dubois turns 26 this summer. Prior to his birthday this June, the total buyout dollars are reasonable at the 1/3 rate. 16M spread over 14 seasons in actual cash. If money was of no concern to my organization, I would be pushing hard to trade for Dubois assuming the sweeteners from LA to take on such a bad contract were worthwhile. Would a first this year and next be a reasonable ask? Assuming they wouldn't move Clarke to get out from that contract.

Blues are obviously in no position to take on such a contract but just spitballing.

Dubois had a rough year, but I can't see the Kings being crazy enough to trade two first to get out of the contract. Nor do I expect them to retain 7 years. I expect them to hold onto him and hope that he eventually snaps out of his funk. If they can buy him out before the deadline they will likely consider it, but considering the price they gave up for him I bet they will keep him and cross their fingers that this season was an anomaly.

 

[Brian39]

This is the type of situation where the guy ends up on LTIR somehow after a year or two. At least historically that’s what we’ve seen in multiple examples.

I can't recall any situation like that with a guy in his mid-20s who has been healthy for his entire career.

Dubois is 25 and has only missed 10 games due to injury through a 7 year NHL career. I very, very much doubt he'd go along with LTIRetirement beginning in his mid-to-late 20s. He'll only be 32 at the end of that deal and should very much expect to be able to earn a good chunk of additional money at the conclusion of his existing contract.

Even if the player was content to leave his future earnings on the table to retire in his 20s with a nice paycheck for 5+ years, the league is going to be highly skeptical. For all the fan opinion about teams being able to manipulate LTIR, the league does actually demand a real medical issue that makes a player unfit to play. There is a hell of a lot of gray area to that determination when you are talking about timelines of weeks and months. Nagging stuff that can get better with a few more weeks of rehab is a hell of a lot different than a team saying "this 27 year old will never be able to play hockey again."

I don't see them getting themselves out of this problem with LTIR.

 

[ezcreepin]

I can't recall any situation like that with a guy in his mid-20s who has been healthy for his entire career.

Dubois is 25 and has only missed 10 games due to injury through a 7 year NHL career. I very, very much doubt he'd go along with LTIRetirement beginning in his mid-to-late 20s. He'll only be 32 at the end of that deal and should very much expect to be able to earn a good chunk of additional money at the conclusion of his existing contract.

Even if the player was content to leave his future earnings on the table to retire in his 20s with a nice paycheck for 5+ years, the league is going to be highly skeptical. For all the fan opinion about teams being able to manipulate LTIR, the league does actually demand a real medical issue that makes a player unfit to play. There is a hell of a lot of gray area to that determination when you are talking about timelines of weeks and months. Nagging stuff that can get better with a few more weeks of rehab is a hell of a lot different than a team saying "this 27 year old will never be able to play hockey again."

I don't see them getting themselves out of this problem with LTIR.

Ironically, this might be the thing that ruins the Kings if they can't rectify the player or get rid of the contract. Quick retool, very competitive, and now on the hook for 8.5 mil for at best a 3rd liner (right now). They're projected to have 20.9 mil in cap space which includes the overages, but they have some not so insignificant players to resign. Also need 2 goalies. Conservatively, if they sign everyone except Lewis and Arvidsson, get two goalies for total 5 mil, and bridge Byfield for like 4 mil, I think that they'll be at around 3.5 mil in cap space remaining. I don't know if that team is getting out of the first round again if they manage to get a spot in the top 3 of the division, and I don't know if they can handle a Dallas or Colorado if they have to play a central team.

 

[WeWentBlues]

Dubois had a rough year, but I can't see the Kings being crazy enough to trade two first to get out of the contract. Nor do I expect them to retain 7 years. I expect them to hold onto him and hope that he eventually snaps out of his funk. If they can buy him out before the deadline they will likely consider it, but considering the price they gave up for him I bet they will keep him and cross their fingers that this season was an anomaly.

I don't agree that they gave up a ton.
Iafallo is a UFA.
Kupari has 30 points in 158 NHL games
Vilardi is the most attractive piece but he has injury concerns.

I'd be sweating more about having 10% of the cap tied up on Dubois on a team that is trying to contend than feeling like I paid a huge trade price and have to protect the investment at all costs.

 

[Hrkac Circus]

Someone help me out on a rule. If teams are 4 on 4 in regulation and one team scores it stays 4 on 4 for the 2 minutes right? It doesn’t go back to 5 on 5.

 

[WeWentBlues]

Someone help me out on a rule. If teams are 4 on 4 in regulation and one team scores it stays 4 on 4 for the 2 minutes right? It doesn’t go back to 5 on 5.

Correct

 

[ChicagoBlues]

The discussion on policy and compensation etc required etc blah reminds me of parsing through federal rules on home financing.

What is not explicitly outlined in any policy is the potential weak point or loophole.

Working with strong and creative underwriters to exploit those weak points is how I got deals done in places like Hawaii with their ag zoning and homeowner “requirements” to “produce”.

Perhaps a strange comp, but the point is that a policy is only as strong as its enforcers. What is creatively interpreted between the lines matters.

Vegas is smart to work the system and play the game. Right? Wrong? Who cares? Good? Bad? Doesn’t matter.

Both sides of this discussion are right. There is letter of the law and spirit of the law and then there are creative interpretations based on expressed language and what is omitted.

A new CBA is always a repositioning of the goalpost which always elicits creative interpretations.

 

[MissouriMook]

Didn’t see the first two periods but the third period of this Boston- Florida game has been entertaining. It will be interesting to see if Boston can compartmentalize this game and come back focused in Game 3. They have been uncharacteristically undisciplined once the game got away from them, and this scenario may be where they miss guys like Bergeron and Chara.

 

[stl76]

Didn’t see the first two periods but the third period of this Boston- Florida game has been entertaining. It will be interesting to see if Boston can compartmentalize this game and come back focused in Game 3. They have been uncharacteristically undisciplined once the game got away from them, and this scenario may be where they miss guys like Bergeron and Chara.

That game got real spicy, real fast. I didn't have Pastrnak dropping the gloves on my bingo card

 

[Snubbed4Vezina]

That game got real spicy, real fast. I didn't have Pastrnak dropping the gloves on my bingo card

He should probably refrain from ever doing that again. Tkachuk fed him his lunch.

 

[BlueOil]

He should probably refrain from ever doing that again. Tkachuk fed him his lunch.

he also clearly can't fight worth a damn

shades of alex semin with those flailing arms

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

That game got real spicy, real fast. I didn't have Pastrnak dropping the gloves on my bingo card

if b's come back to win this series, i would expect they point to the fight as turning point. for star like pasta to dance with guy like tkachuk shows how bought in they are. there is a reason why monty praised pasta in postgame comments. he took one for the team, and when superstar does that rest of team has no excuse.

 

[BlueDream]

That’s why hockey is the best, and also why I think teams like the Panthers and players like Tkachuk are great for the league. They ignite rivalries big time.

This is going to be a passionate series, those teams really dislike each other.

 

[TheOrganist]

Didn’t see the first two periods but the third period of this Boston- Florida game has been entertaining. It will be interesting to see if Boston can compartmentalize this game and come back focused in Game 3. They have been uncharacteristically undisciplined once the game got away from them, and this scenario may be where they miss guys like Bergeron and Chara.

Florida looked horrible for 4 periods and then turned it on and showed they are the much better team.

That’s why hockey is the best, and also why I think teams like the Panthers and players like Tkachuk are great for the league. They ignite rivalries big time.

This is going to be a passionate series, those teams really dislike each other.

Agreed. People can say what they want about Tkachuk, Marchand, Tom Wilson and Trouba but they stoke passion in both their own fans and their opponents. You still need villains to make sports compelling.

 

[Majorityof1]

Agreed. People can say what they want about Tkachuk, Marchand, Tom Wilson and Trouba but they stoke passion in both their own fans and their opponents. You still need villains to make sports compelling.

Disagree with this. This isn't pro wrestling, thank God, with heels and faces and fake drama. We've had good rivalries in the past with the Redwing and the kings because they were good teams that we met often in the playoffs and had our number. They didn't need a villain to make those series compelling.

Good, skilled hockey trumps dirty Hockey. I'd rather watch a Gretzky highlight reel over a Sean Avery one any day. Are Blues fans pining forplayers like Ott/Laperriere or Turgeon/MacInnis? Thomas is far from dirty. Will you trade him for Wilson?

 

[TheOrganist]

Disagree with this. This isn't pro wrestling, thank God, with heels and faces and fake drama. We've had good rivalries in the past with the Redwing and the kings because they were good teams that we met often in the playoffs and had our number. They didn't need a villain to make those series compelling.

Good, skilled hockey trumps dirty Hockey. I'd rather watch a Gretzky highlight reel over a Sean Avery one any day. Are Blues fans pining forplayers like Ott/Laperriere or Turgeon/MacInnis? Thomas is far from dirty. Will you trade him for Wilson?

Your opinion. Hockey was the greatest sport because of the beauty combined w/ the brutality. We've lost a lot of the latter in the last 10 years and it doesn't make the sport as beautifully wild as it used to be.

Thomas who? Robert?

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Toronto Axes Keefe

 

[Majorityof1]

Your opinion. Hockey was the greatest sport because of the beauty combined w/ the brutality. We've lost a lot of the latter in the last 10 years and it doesn't make the sport as beautifully wild as it used to be.

Thomas who? Robert?

Of course, Robert Thomas.

And of course it's my opinion. Why point out the obvious that it's my opinion, like that makes me wrong, only to follow with your opinion. Weird.

MY OPINION, WARNING, MY OPINION INCOMING (better?) ..hockey is a great sport due to the speed and skill. You can still have big hits for the burst of violence. But fights, cheap shots, childish antics, those take away from tge beauty of the game.

The Tkachuk fight? Tkachuk punched plastic 3 times and fell down because he couldn't punch a fallen opponent while on skates. That is what people are praising? 3 punches and then giving up your back. That is beauty?

 

[The Note]

Toronto Axes Keefe

No one had ever been as pre-fired as he was the second Pastrnak scored that OT goal.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

No one had ever been as pre-fired as he was the second Pastrnak scored that OT goal.

Oh 100%

 

[BlueDream]

At least half the league has changed coaches just in the past year.

That feels like a lot.