Confirmed with Link: Lindy Ruff named Head Coach, Press Conference at 1:00 PM EDT

[Fjordy]

The structure of those deals also included limited bonuses which would lower the actual cap it. I'm not going to criticize Pegula for not matching Toronto's salary structures which are pretty costly and a major strain on cash flow. But looks at Auston Matthews last deal. Just insane. Dude gets $16.7 M in first year. Even better, $15.9 M is paid on July 1.

Beyond being buyout proof, these July 1 payments make the contracts worth a few hundred thousand dollars more because of the time value of money where you can invest money at 5% in guaranteed income certificates.

Ultimately, they cost the franchise more but they manipulate the cap and create an advantage where you are effectively paying someone more.

Dahlin's contract is slightly frontloaded at $13 M this year but he has one signing bonus of $5 M on July 1 in 2024-25 and then nothing.

Cozens and Thompson also do not have heavily front-loaded contracts or bonuses.

Have I said before, I won't criticize Pegula on this stuff because they are major costs for a team in a smaller market than a place like Toronto.

But it is an absolute falsehood to say Sabres are using every advantage under the cap. They are not. It isn't huge, but every inch matters and the reality is a team like Toronto can get maybe a 5% advantage under the cap.

Even if it is not Pegula, I don't think any owner in a smaller market will do stuff like Leafs.

And to be clear. Not just the Leafs. Rangers did a similar thing with the Panarin contract. I do think Toronto is a leader in contracts like this.

So Pegula is intentionally not letting Adams spend money, I'm not sure about that. Kevyn also had a slow plan and he is not the most experienced GM, who seems very cautious and not proactive.

 

[Jim Bob]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1808156339861885140

 

[Dingo44]

 

[michaelsaas]

Blast from the past! Whatever happened to that guy?

 

[debaser66]

Didnt know it was in August back then

 

[Chainshot]

Didnt know it was in August back then

'79 was the latest one ever outside of the COVID year. None have ever been that late, the second latest being July 30th in 2005.

 

[Jim Bob]

10 people who will define the 2024-25 NHL season

Four players. Two coaches. Two team executives. One league executive. And one expansion group spokesperson.The following isn't a comprehensive list of the people who'll define the 2024-25 NHL season (you'll notice commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players' Association executive director Marty...

www.thescore.com

Lindy Ruff​

Ben Jackson / Getty Images
Ruff, a Sabres defenseman in the 1980s and head coach from 1997-2013, is back for a third tour of duty in Buffalo. He's been brought in to be a savior as the Sabres try desperately to end an NHL-record 13-year playoff drought.

The Sabres last made the playoffs in the second-last full season of Ruff's first tenure behind the bench. How bad were those years without him? Consider this: Only once did Buffalo's final record feature more wins than losses, and that one campaign - 2022-23 - barely qualifies, at 42 wins and 40 losses.

The Sabres hope Ruff can bring greater accountability to the dressing room and push players to new heights. Captain Rasmus Dahlin, burgeoning star Owen Power, and 6-foot-7 sniper Tage Thompson lead a fairly balanced roster that, with decent coaching, should be in the hunt for an East wild-card spot.

Kevyn Adams is entering his fifth season as GM. He won't necessarily lose his job if Buffalo again falls short of the postseason. But for Adams to keep it, the team must take an appreciable step forward in the standings.