Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part LV

[Leetch3]

NBCSports analyst Pierre McGuire admitted as much this week during one of his regular morning hits on TSN1200.

“I’m going to caution everybody including Mark Borowiecki’s agent, these are way different times in the National Hockey League, and you’re just starting to see just a little ripple in the water. This is going to be a very different time financially for the league, and for a lot of member clubs in the league. I’m just telling you. The stories haven’t broken yet, but this is going to be a way different time for free agents, be a way different time for established players. You’re going to see some major cost-cutting around the National Hockey League, major, major cost-cutting. There are people writing stories now about this team laying off these people. You’re going to see a lot more. It’s going to trickle down to player’s salaries. This is a very different time in this league. It’s not getting enough exposure right now. I completely understand because of the playoffs. No one really wants to talk about it.​

I think alot of people will look at this in terms of the impact on available players and a team like the rangers with $$ being able to take advantage to acquire players but of course the cap limits how much that can happen...but the place that those $$ teams could REALLY take advantage of would be swooping in and hiring staff let go by other teams whether it be scouting, player development or whatever. its a horrible situation you feel bad for non-players that could be out of work but it could lead to some organizational shakeups behind the scenes

 

[bobbop]

NHL Watcher
@NHL_Watcher
McGuire's exact words: "I believe you will see some teams that will be sold...There are some teams that are having very difficult times getting to bonus payments, let alone keeping their staffs. I'm not trying to doom and gloom this, I'm just trying to speak realistically."

According to the above report this is what is happening know to teams under financial duress. In another years time in will be all out bedlam.

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

Arizona, Ottawa, and Florida were the first 3 that came to mind for me

 

[Clark Kellogg]

I think alot of people will look at this in terms of the impact on available players and a team like the rangers with $$ being able to take advantage to acquire players but of course the cap limits how much that can happen...but the place that those $$ teams could REALLY take advantage of would be swooping in and hiring staff let go by other teams whether it be scouting, player development or whatever. its a horrible situation you feel bad for non-players that could be out of work but it could lead to some organizational shakeups behind the scenes

That is brilliant. Hadn’t even crossed my mind. But yes. There will probably be more ramifications and opportunities that will arise that have not even begun to be contemplated.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

Wasn’t there an issue where the Cleveland Barons couldn’t meet payroll and the team suspended operations and their players were combined with Minnesota?

 

[Irishguy42]

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

Yeah I think there was a separate additional report about ARI specifically in this matter.

When there is smoke...

 

[Fitzy]

NBCSports analyst Pierre McGuire admitted as much this week during one of his regular morning hits on TSN1200.

“I’m going to caution everybody including Mark Borowiecki’s agent, these are way different times in the National Hockey League, and you’re just starting to see just a little ripple in the water. This is going to be a very different time financially for the league, and for a lot of member clubs in the league. I’m just telling you. The stories haven’t broken yet, but this is going to be a way different time for free agents, be a way different time for established players. You’re going to see some major cost-cutting around the National Hockey League, major, major cost-cutting. There are people writing stories now about this team laying off these people. You’re going to see a lot more. It’s going to trickle down to player’s salaries. This is a very different time in this league. It’s not getting enough exposure right now. I completely understand because of the playoffs. No one really wants to talk about it.​

this reads like a somewhat more articulate potus quote

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Arizona, Ottawa, and Florida were the first 3 that came to mind for me

Buffalo is working with a 70M internal cap reportedly as well, so they will likely try to move out some salary.

I think there’s good chance we have a large chunk of teams trying to save money this year. Way more than are looking to spend. Buffalo, Arizona, Florida, and Ottawa are just the obvious tips of the ice berg.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Buffalo is working with a 70M internal cap reportedly as well, so they will likely try to move out some salary.

I think there’s good chance we have a large chunk of teams trying to save money this year. Way more than are looking to spend. Buffalo, Arizona, Florida, and Ottawa are just the obvious tips of the ice berg.

Sabres fan's might throw a parade if the team gets sold

 

[egelband]

Lindgren is an example of that. I would be shocked if we don't see some forwards (other than Strome) find themselves in similar situations. I'm personally less concerned about terms (first line/second line, second pair/third pair) than I am focused on pairings and chemistry.

And that holds true for our potential pick at 22 this year.

Also, when the team is, presumably, rolling, role players will be absolutely satisfactory in the bottom six. Three riding tide lifts all ships theory. When a team has excellent to end players the other spots in the lineup are easier to fill.

 

[egelband]

The timing of the nhls flat cap is a real advantage for us. The Rangers are sitting on the best prospect system in hockey and in 1 year a lot of cap flexibility. This will provide a ton of leverage. I’m of the opinion that the Rangers hold steadfast for one year,see what they have in lhd prospects and target a specific player or two like Barkov or lindrum next year. I can personally live with watching a borderline playoff team in which the youth are evaluated for one more year.

Absolutely. I’ve been saying the flat cap will yield a lot of outlier situations. JG should let things shake out. Let the market come to him and be very choosy. Worst case, they do nothing except grab a bargain out two in short term deals. But maybe something quite exceptional breaks loose, too.

 

[egelband]

Not a lot of Shanahans in today's league. I've thought about Jeff Carter as a stopgap 2C

Definitely. If nothing more enduring shakes out, nothing wrong with a guy like Carter in a one year deal. I’d avoid rushing into that one though.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Absolutely. I’ve been saying the flat cap will yield a lot of outlier situations. JG should let things shake out. Let the market come to him and be very choosy. Worst case, they do nothing except grab a bargain out two in short term deals. But maybe something quite exceptional breaks loose, too.

I remember that when Glen Sather ran the team they would have off season meetings at his home(ranch?) were all the staff would gather to assess the previous season and plan the Rangers future. Let’s hope that wherever this years meeting is/was that there is an Israeli Tenth Man (devil’s advocate) in the room bringing up these very same possibilities in regards to the financial difficulties of other NHL teams now and moving forward and how the Rangers organization can use this to their advantage. Sometimes the best move is no move at all.

 

[NYSPORTS]

NBCSports analyst Pierre McGuire admitted as much this week during one of his regular morning hits on TSN1200.

“I’m going to caution everybody including Mark Borowiecki’s agent, these are way different times in the National Hockey League, and you’re just starting to see just a little ripple in the water. This is going to be a very different time financially for the league, and for a lot of member clubs in the league. I’m just telling you. The stories haven’t broken yet, but this is going to be a way different time for free agents, be a way different time for established players. You’re going to see some major cost-cutting around the National Hockey League, major, major cost-cutting. There are people writing stories now about this team laying off these people. You’re going to see a lot more. It’s going to trickle down to player’s salaries. This is a very different time in this league. It’s not getting enough exposure right now. I completely understand because of the playoffs. No one really wants to talk about it.​

have been kidding about the League going bankrupt at a time the Rangers rebuild is going so well.

Have mentioned the low operating income of clubs even during good times. Oddly, some dismissed the numbers.

McGuire’s comments do concern me. Scary to be honest. Pandemic aside, Bettman stabilized the NHL after a lost John Ziegler yet hasn’t made enough of an impact IMO. What to do next?

Will the league itself allow flexibility with contracts this year? Refi, buyouts, modify cap space if dollars counting against the cap which have already been paid.

 

[NYSPORTS]

I remember that when Glen Sather ran the team they would have off season meetings at his home(ranch?) were all the staff would gather to assess the previous season and plan the Rangers future. Let’s hope that wherever this years meeting is/was that there is an Israeli Tenth Man (devil’s advocate) in the room bringing up these very same possibilities in regards to the financial difficulties of other NHL teams now and moving forward and how the Rangers organization can use this to their advantage. Sometimes the best move is no move at all.

the cap is the cap and fortunately if there are any looking to capitalize on league misfortune the Rangers have little room due to a few dinosaurs riding out their contracts and a big hit from a previous buyout.

 

[haohmaru]

The NHL is a gate driven league and, if there's no gate, it's going to get complicated.

 

[kovazub94]

If the Rangers primary objective is a short- or mid-term stop gap needs then I wholeheartedly agree that the should sit tight and only address their own players: work on extensions for RFAs and move upcoming UFAs salaries one way or another. Then see what the stressed market would shake lose.

P.S. Probably a good approach even for the more strategic moves

 

[Leetch3]

Sabres fan's might throw a parade if the team gets sold

will it be anything like the parade they threw when pegula bought the team in 2011 and they FINALLY had an owner with $$?

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Not only should a lot of these teams be sold, but they should be relocated

 

[mas0764]

Not only should a lot of these teams be sold, but they should be relocated

Contracted instead of expanded if you ask me.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Not only should a lot of these teams be sold, but they should be relocated

Honestly, a lot of these teams just have stadiums in the wrong part of town. Look at Nashville for an example of a team that did everything right. Beautiful stadium and the location can't be beat. Arizona, Florida, Ottawa, and to a lesser extent Carolina do not have good stadium situations.

 

[Mikos87]

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

I would do a move to send OEL to EDM, get Nurse, then flip him to LA. Use the OEL deal to recoup the much needed draft currency.

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

Times like these I’m glad that Dolan didn’t blow up his dad’s cable empire completely.

 

[bleedblue94]

He’s right. Keep an eye on Arizona.

again???

Is this part of why Quebec is piping up again about relocation, blood in the water?

 

[Mikos87]

I think alot of people will look at this in terms of the impact on available players and a team like the rangers with $$ being able to take advantage to acquire players but of course the cap limits how much that can happen...but the place that those $$ teams could REALLY take advantage of would be swooping in and hiring staff let go by other teams whether it be scouting, player development or whatever. its a horrible situation you feel bad for non-players that could be out of work but it could lead to some organizational shakeups behind the scenes

I can only speak on estimated losses that aren't all that accessible. But I think the league took close to a 22-25% top-line hit with the playoff ticket revenue and missing games. So that tells you how important playoff tickets are just themselves. If you prorate the loss to the whole season- straight-line or otherwise, you are going to be making less than half of what you were expecting.

Now some industries are affected worse than others, and if you look at ownership groups, the ones that are hurting the most will need to re-adjust their portfolios. The NHL has always been classy and respectful in terms of how they handle the situation. After-all, it isn't about a rich person losing their money, it's about all of the other people whose lives are affected by it.

Overall I think the league will need to take a step towards catering to a digitally native audience, and growing the game that way until society returns to it's norms. Hell the whole world has to. The NHL needs to take a page out of Gary's former employers in the NBA on what to do there and not the MLB.