The taxi squad concept would have to be accepted by the PA. No question. They would need to agree on a set of rules for how it functions.
An expanded roster might make sense in a lot of ways. But I think the need to raise the cap makes it entirely out of the question, quite apart from any arguments about the actual money being spent. They are committed to the 81.5 cap.
I have wondered about taking the taxi squad with them on the road. They could stay at home and practice. Hire an assistant coach to work with them. I could see it go either way. Coach might not want an extra 6 bodies at practice, diluting the focus on the next game. It is a little harder working with a larger group. But maybe that is insignificant, I don't know. It also adds to the cost. More airline tickets, more hotel rooms, more per diems.
Interesting thought. I believe all flights are chartered so that's not an extra cost, hotel room and per diem for sure. But it does add more cost beyond salary, you are correct.
We'll have to disagree about the commitment to the Cap. The way the Leafs and Knights steamrolled over makes me believe that it may become flexible, if owners have their way. It's a difficult thing to manage, with no option to send players anywhere but overseas to keep them playing.
I think the bubble showed that expanded rosters can work. I'm not sure how that fit under the CBA, although playoff rosters are expanded in general beyond cap constraints. Maurice never used his at all though, other than bringing in Harkins, Bourque and Shaw as injury replacements. The option of having the top AHL line and potential top AHL d pairing available adds some more talent to the roster, rather than having them spread out around the globe. Or training without playing.
The situations of teams like TML,Caps, TBL is exactly why it is written in stone. The other 28 teams are not going to give them an opportunity to wiggle out of it.
What I wonder about is how they might manage having players moving up and down between the roster and the taxi squad. This is where the PA might dig in their heals a bit.
You could have it that once you declare your taxi squad, players could move freely back and forth without waivers. Players on 2 way contracts would get AHL salary while on the taxi squad, NHL salary while on the 23 man roster. But a man would have to go on IR or be sent to the taxi squad to make room to call them up.
Logical to me. The PA might not agree. The waiver requirement is an important feature of the CBA to ensure that teams can't stockpile players and have some good player denied a fair chance, stuck on a strong team. Waivers require other teams to be given a shot at that guy. So suspending it that way may be unacceptable to them. That would greatly reduce the usefulness of the taxi squad. It would be limited to allowing AHL roster players to practice with the NHL team. If that is all it is, maybe they just have the AHL team spend the whole season practicing and trying to be ready for a call-up. I don't think they would like that much.
I fear Maurice will favour the veterans.Why do you say they will have a hard time getting games?
If because of the signings of Beaulieu, Forbort and Sbisa don't worry about it. They can all be sent down with zero cap hit, or 200k in Beaulieu's case.
They are there as insurance in case Samberg and/or Heinola are not ready.
I fear Maurice will favour the veterans.
I don't think so. Not as long as the rookies are playing well. I can see him shying away from going with 2 rookies in the lineup to start the season, but that is a different story. I doubt they will spend much time in the press box.
I think
Heinola will have his games early on.
Samberg ia already lock in
Perfetti if he does a Scheifele like 1st pre season.
He will get a game or 2.
I fear Maurice will favour the veterans.
I don't think so. Not as long as the rookies are playing well. I can see him shying away from going with 2 rookies in the lineup to start the season, but that is a different story. I doubt they will spend much time in the press box.
I feel like Samberg is a coach friendly type prospect that will get his minutes. He is a big mobile kid who plays a safe game and his defense is his strength. Dylan appeals to what I think are Maurice’s stylistic sensibilities.
I think
Heinola will have his games early on.
Samberg ia already lock in
Perfetti if he does a Scheifele like 1st pre season.
He will get a game or 2.
Either way I expect Perfetti to be signed soon. Rossi’s ELC seems like a good blue print for his performance bonus structure. Let the kid go buy a new pick up with his signing bonus money.The Jets defense is a bit crowded so I see the team allowing Heinola to stay over seas for one more year. That will also allow his ELC to start at a very opportune time for the org.
Perfetti will likely not be in training camp due to the WJC being at the same time as training camps. I imagine what the org does with him will largely be determined by what happens with the OHL. If the OHL doesn't go he will likely be in the AHL or the taxi squad.
The Jets defense is a bit crowded so I see the team allowing Heinola to stay over seas for one more year. That will also allow his ELC to start at a very opportune time for the org.
Perfetti will likely not be in training camp due to the WJC being at the same time as training camps. I imagine what the org does with him will largely be determined by what happens with the OHL. If the OHL doesn't go he will likely be in the AHL or the taxi squad.
Never understood the argument that he doesn't have offense. His offensive numbers have always been very good. Wouldn't shock me at all if we end up regretting not taking him.So apparently Lundell has some offense in his game now. Must have taken all the projections as the safe pick to heart and wanted to show the world this next gear.
Laine for Ekblad+Lundell pls![]()
Yeah as a d first dmen that doesn't take offensive risks he will get playing time. Maurice might not trust him in a top 4 role to start but I think he will see regular time on the bottom pair to start.
My guess is Moe uses Forbert and his physicality and strong defense to play with Pionk to start as he is the type of foil Pionk needs.
I'm hoping Slamberg gives Maurice no choice but toplay him on the 2nd pairing...yea it could go that way if we don’t land a top 4 LHD.
Realistically with injuries I can see Samberg getting decent usage as the season wears on.
I wouldn't be surprised if camps didn't open until Dec 26 or 27. Perfetti/Heinola wouldn't miss much camp if they came from the WJHC.
I think the NHL is still targeting early January. They will wait until football season is over, for broadcasting rights in the US. With NBC the window is January to June this year unless the Olympics are cancelled, and they haven't been yet.
So you might be right about training camps. I'm sure the Jets would like to have them in camp. However maybe they join the team later.
If we were to construct a training camp roster of current players, including unsigned ones, for a 35 player camp, the depth would look something like
18 forwards
Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler
Ehlers-Stastny-Laine
Copp-Lowry-Roslovic
Harkins-Thompson-Appleton
Toninato-Suess-Perreault
Vesalainen-Gustafsson-Reichel
14 defensemen
Morrissey-De Melo
Samberg-Pionk
Beaulieu-Poolman
Forbort-Sbisa (LD is variable from 2-4)
Niku-Kovacevic
Chisholm-Gawanke
Stanley-Nogier
3 goalies
Hellebuyck
Brossoit
Comrie
I don't see us a bringing over a 4th goalie, with Berdin's recent comments. Or taking Holm out of the SEL though it is possible, to have a look at him as a pro.
The option would exist to cut 6 players if it's a 31 player roster again (no idea what the roster size will actually be or if there is a taxi squad that stays in Winnipeg and practices), and leave room for Heinola and Perfetti to join the team later. Still could be some roster changes though.
Ottawa now has enough salary to meet the cap floor. Not that I mind the idea of trading MP to clear space if Chevy needed it to sign someone that makes a difference. How much of a sweetener would you give? I'd be reluctant to give too much and would probably just prefer to ride out the season with MP.Yes bang on .but move out Perreault as he will be sent to Ottawa so they can meet the cap floor. Add McKenzie,
The Jets defense is a bit crowded so I see the team allowing Heinola to stay over seas for one more year. That will also allow his ELC to start at a very opportune time for the org.
Perfetti will likely not be in training camp due to the WJC being at the same time as training camps. I imagine what the org does with him will largely be determined by what happens with the OHL. If the OHL doesn't go he will likely be in the AHL or the taxi squad.
I think Forbort is a fall back if one of Samberg or Heinola doesn't shine during training camp/pre season. If they do shine he plays 3rd pairing.