Confirmed with Link: RIP NHL Lockout (September 15th 2012 - January 12th 2013)

[Ola]

Some writers are confident we will see 50 in conference games.

3 vs the 10 conference teams=30
5 vs the 4 division foes=20

Yeah, that 7 division 2 conference options sounds a bit nuts. Like there is a big diffrence between the divisions and 8 games over 82 games was alot, 7 over 48 games could have the opposite effect. Like sure, NYR fans would watch against the Islanders, but there are plenty of other division match ups in this league that is the opposite of exciting.

 

[Ola]

Neither of Gaborik or Staal are being traded this summer. The entire team will fit for 13/14 with the 64.3M cap. And if they need a million or two it won't be either of these guys who are dealt.

Hm, at the same time, there is a big risk with this scenario too.

You squez three players in under the cap with low short term deals, all of a sudden you stand there again and again and again over the coming years. You want to be able to give these kids "Marc Staal" type of 5-year contracts. Instead of 2.5 for 2 years you want to be able to give them 3.9 for 5 years. You risk loosing them for nothing in a hurry with those short term deals.

I am just saying, sometimes its better to give yourself room and get a good return for a player instead of just trying to get by.

 

[Maineice11]

So based on "everything" we know so far..

Which team is struggling with this new deal the most??

Which team has to cut the most fat to Get under the cap and so on..

I have always thought the 2 teams in the worst places are boston and Minnesota...both I think will be okay, hard spots but okay...Thomas comes off the books for boston after this season and Minnesota has two ufas that total about 7.5 mil, which would help them get below the 2013-2014 cap I would think they would want to buyout heatley, but who knows

 

[broadwayblue]

Hm, at the same time, there is a big risk with this scenario too.

You squez three players in under the cap with low short term deals, all of a sudden you stand there again and again and again over the coming years. You want to be able to give these kids "Marc Staal" type of 5-year contracts. Instead of 2.5 for 2 years you want to be able to give them 3.9 for 5 years. You risk loosing them for nothing in a hurry with those short term deals.

I am just saying, sometimes its better to give yourself room and get a good return for a player instead of just trying to get by.

I get that...but this team is gunning for a cup this year and/or next, and they have the best shot to do that with the group currently assembled. Now if they were to win the cup this year, perhaps they make a proactive move to re-position the team going forward...but otherwise I don't see them dealing any key players during the next two seasons.

 

[RMcDonagh]

Sorry if I missed it (I'm sure I didn't).... has the schedule been released yet? Haven't been on since this morning.

 

[broadwayblue]

Sorry if I missed it (I'm sure I didn't).... has the schedule been released yet? Haven't been on since this morning.

Not yet. Perhaps tomorrow.

 

[RMcDonagh]

Not yet. Perhaps tomorrow.

Alright thanks. So really no more news to report regarding anything after the biggest announcement this morning?

 

[broadwayblue]

Alright thanks. So really no more news to report regarding anything after the biggest announcement this morning?

Pretty much. Basically they are still finalizing the details of the agreement, but the key issues are resolved. Just a bunch of I's and T's to dot and cross so to speak.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

About 5 times when I was skiing today I screamed in happiness.

Can't wait to watch the Rangers.

 

[RMcDonagh]

Pretty much. Basically they are still finalizing the details of the agreement, but the key issues are resolved. Just a bunch of I's and T's to dot and cross so to speak.

Yep. I assume everyone woke up early/mid afternoon anyway.

 

[Tawnos]

Who knows what will happend with the cap though going forward.

In a time of horrible financial climate and so forth, the cap has constantly gone up year after year after year. I have no doubt what-so-ever that the cap would have kept going up like that without this darn lockout. But who knows now how much of a hit the league has taken. There are plenty of people out there saying they won't spend as much and so forth.

In the end, I don't think it will be that bad and I think the cap will keep going up over say a 5 year period. That could give us room. But who knows.

There was at least one reporter saying the $64.3m is the minimum ceiling in each year of the deal.

 

[Made Dan]

Of the top of my head, in a worse spot than us are

Bruins, Flyers, Sharks, Vancouver?, possibly the Pens

I think Minnesota has it the worst.

 

[mas0764]

I understand the rule going forward, but I just don't see how they can take a player who's been in our minor league system for years and just place him back on our cap.

They can do whatever they want.

I agree they shouldn't have it work retroactively though.

 

[Tawnos]

For next season:

Montreal: $4.1m cap space, 16 players (obv buyout Gomez)
Tampa: $6.7m cap space, 15 players (buyout Lecavalier?)
Philadelphia: $6.8m cap space, 16 players (Pronger, Bryz?)
Boston: $6.9m cap space, 16 players (if Thomas isn't coming back, Thomas)
Vancouver: $8.8m cap space, 13 players (Luongo)
San Jose: $9.9m cap space, 14 players (not sure, probably doable)
Pittsburgh: $11.7m cap space, 15 players (not sure, probably doable)

Minnesota: $13.1m cap space, 16 players (I think they're fine)

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

The schedule can't be released until the CBA is ratified right? thought thats what I heard Bettman say during his presser

 

[NYRangers88]

The schedule can't be released until the CBA is ratified right? thought thats what I heard Bettman say during his presser

When does the CBA get ratified then? It has to be in the next couple of days, no?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Will be a good replacement once football is over.

 

[Tawnos]

When does the CBA get ratified then? It has to be in the next couple of days, no?

I haven't seen anything on the NHLPA vote yet. NHL BoG will vote latest Wednesday.

 

[Rangers2319]

Will be a good replacement once football is over.

Agreed, I cant stand basketball or baseball

 

[Desdichado93]

When does the CBA get ratified then? It has to be in the next couple of days, no?

I think i read that the players would vote about it today (Sunday) or tomorrow and then the BOG would have a meeting on Tuesday Wednesday to approve it.

 

[Maineice11]

According to a source, and I LOVE this idea, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed that players and teams will be allowed to talk openly with each other for one week prior to July 1st.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklu...eek-to-Interview-UFAs-Prior-To-July-1/1/48246

This is by Eklund, but if true, this is a great idea I really like it.

 

[Tawnos]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklu...eek-to-Interview-UFAs-Prior-To-July-1/1/48246

This is by Eklund, but if true, this is a great idea I really like it.

Yeah, the interview period has been discussed through this process. It's a good idea. Gives teams a good idea of what they're competing with in order to sign their own guys.

 

[Maineice11]

Yeah, the interview period has been discussed through this process. It's a good idea. Gives teams a good idea of what they're competing with in order to sign their own guys.

plus it may give the players a better idea of where they want to be for the next part of their careers instead of just going for the big money

 

[DutchShamrock]

May have been lost in the shuffle: what is the exact rules on the hometown contract? I saw a year qualification but how does it impact nba type sign and trades?

 

[Tawnos]

May have been lost in the shuffle: what is the exact rules on the hometown contract? I saw a year qualification but how does it impact nba type sign and trades?

Until we see the actual CBA, I don't think we will know if there is any language on sign and trades.