I know this is off topic and may be a little out there, this hasn't been discussed recently (at least that I know of) but making the playoffs after the CBA is settled could be harder if they put in place a realignment plan at least something similar to the plan the owners proposed last season and the players rejected; (4 divisions, 8 teams in 2 of them, 7 in the other 2; the top 4 in each division makes the playoffs). This could mean some pretty good teams may miss the playoffs. This could affect the way some of these teams build their roster. There would be more of an urgency to get that player that puts them over the top. Just food for thought.
This is probably an issue for DURING the season more so than the offseason, but it may be a factor. I'm not saying Sather should give up the farm for Nash or Ryan (or anyone else for that matter) because of this (he SHOULDN'T); most of the NYR competitors in their division have gotten weaker since the season ended, there's no need, at least right now to do anything crazy.
The realignment issue hasn't surfaced recently, but at some point, the owners (especially the people in Winnipeg and Detroit) will want this addressed.
The GMs know ballpark what the cap will be. It will be about the same as it was this year.
We would have no trouble keeping our young players even with Nash.
People fail to realize we are also sending money back to get Nash. So we would only would be adding 2.5m if we send back Dubi and another million dollar contract.
That would have to be replaced.
Next year we have a bunch of RFAs and only Halpern as UFA, and he only makes 700k. Whoever we replace him with will cost that much or more. The only cap dollars we free up are on the expiration of Drury's buyout.
If the cap stays flat the next 2 years, where is the money coming from to give raises to McD, Anisimov, Stepan, Hagelin and Sauer? Ok, maybe Artie goes over to columbus with Dubi, and maybe Sauer doesn't get a raise because of the injury. But your still talking about a significant raise for McD, who will be arbitration eligible (assuming arbitration still exists in the next CBA). Hagelin will be arbitration eligible too. And if Stepan puts up 60 points (which is very possible), he will see a nice raise, even if it's only on a 2 year deal.
There are a lot of unknowns right now. Until we know what the new CBA will bring, trading for Nash represents a risk, even if the risk is that we won't be as deep because we don't have the cap space to upgrade other roster spots, because we have so many big contracts.
Saying "we would have no trouble keeping our young players" is ridiculous. That's like saying you have no trouble affording a new car, yet have no idea how much money you have to spend or what the car costs.
I'm not saying it won't work out. Obviously, Rangers' management have crunched the numbers, they have a better idea of what to expect in the new CBA, and they seem to think it can work. But they've been wrong before.
Trading for Nash represents a risk because of all the unknowns, simple as that.
You don't believe their would be a cap rollback for existing contracts for a few years? If the cap dropped seriously enough, too many cap close teams would have to dump big contracts and not enough small market teams would be able to take on those contracts.
For example all contracts signed between 200x to 201x will have a cap hit rollback of 20%. Salaries aren't reduced by 20%, but the cap hit is. Granted there will have to be many specifications in much greater entail, but its a start.
I would be absolutely shocked if there was another rollback. I just don't see any way the union accepts another one, not with Fehr running the show. Compliance buyouts, yes, but the only player we would buyout is Redden, and that doesn't help us.
More than likely, the cap will be about what is was last year. What it is the year after that is the real sticking point. If it's going to be 70+ mil for 2013-14, then sure, we can fit Nash, no problem. But if it's still hovering around 64-65 mil, things get much tighter.
Then I wondered, how does the Columbus Blue Jackets general manager figure to squeeze such a huge package out of a rival GM who knows Howson is painted into a corner? Once a player makes it known he wants to be moved, the chances of his team getting fair market value in return for him diminishes significantly. It becomes even more complicated when that player has a long-term contract as well as a no-trade or no-movement clause.
Quote:
It’s not that Nash was excelling and his departure will mean a sudden decline in the team’s ability to win the Stanley Cup. Hell, this team has only made the playoffs once in its 11 seasons in the NHL and Nash, to be frank, has been on the decline in terms of production the past three seasons. Last season he had just 30 goals and 59 points in 80 games. He ranked 25th in goal-scoring and 59th in points.
So Howson is trying to move a declining asset with the ability to turn down a proposed trade on his hands. The system, as much as Nash, is letting him down.
Eh, seems like another article giving Howson too much of a pass. He's mismanaged a player's request, incorrectly evaluated the demand, incorrectly valuated the player as an asset, and now he's waited so long that the market has grown to include better/cheaper options than Nash.
Just make a deal, Scott. You're digging yourself a hole that you're never going to get out of.
I think, had Thomas shown he was physically ready, Thomas would have been in the NHL last season. Torts has mentioned him by name before and he has been quoted as saying he was "intrigued" or something along those lines by his skillset. He knows the team needs to infuse skill and goal scoring. They may seriously take a look at adding him this season and bringing him along slowly IF he proves he is ready physically.
I don't think it is a matter of if Thomas will make the NHL. For me, it is just a matter of when. His hockey IQ is very high and he knows how to score goals. His shot is dynamic and he is isn't so overly soft that he will be a liability as he gets stronger. Underrated prospect.
I think, had Thomas shown he was physically ready, Thomas would have been in the NHL last season. Torts has mentioned him by name before and he has been quoted as saying he was "intrigued" or something along those lines by his skillset. He knows the team needs to infuse skill and goal scoring. They may seriously take a look at adding him this season and bringing him along slowly IF he proves he is ready physically.
I don't think it is a matter of if Thomas will make the NHL. For me, it is just a matter of when. His hockey IQ is very high and he knows how to score goals. His shot is dynamic and he is isn't so overly soft that he will be a liability as he gets stronger. Underrated prospect.
Speaking of Beuk. I wonder what is going on with his kid. Didn't get an ELC, so he should be a UFA. I always thought transitioning him from a forward to a defensemen was a mistake. He's a good straight-ahead player who can hit, skates well and has a big shot. His defensive coverage is shoddy as hell. However, he might be an interesting option if you wanted to try and convert him back to forward. Could carve out a career as a 4th liner.
I think, had Thomas shown he was physically ready, Thomas would have been in the NHL last season. Torts has mentioned him by name before and he has been quoted as saying he was "intrigued" or something along those lines by his skillset. He knows the team needs to infuse skill and goal scoring. They may seriously take a look at adding him this season and bringing him along slowly IF he proves he is ready physically.
I don't think it is a matter of if Thomas will make the NHL. For me, it is just a matter of when. His hockey IQ is very high and he knows how to score goals. His shot is dynamic and he is isn't so overly soft that he will be a liability as he gets stronger. Underrated prospect.
I respectfully disagree. If I was a betting man, I would bet against Christian Thomas making any sort of significant impact in the NHL on a consistent basis.
Physical shortcomings are difficult to overcome, and all of his attributes you listed were against junior hockey competition. Different scenarios and physical prowess entirely, but it harkens me back to those who used to fawn over Evgeny Grachev's junior numbers.
You're looking at the whole thing in a vacuum, although your Gaborik observation is a small step in the right direction.
First off, what happens with that assumed $1M additional roster player? Won't we need to be replacing him?
Secondly, you're severely underestimating how valuable an extra $2.5M yearly would be in signing some good players that will be RFA's soon.
2.5M isnt that high a number that it would cause such a concern. We are not at the cap ceiling right now and Sather has been extremely good when it comes to managing it while keeping our young players and still adding a couple big contracts. Sather has also been extremely good not signing huge contracts to RFAs and the kids im sure have to expect not to get huge pay days yet.
Prust a perfect example. We saved a good 1M to not resign him and brought in players for cheap who can do what he did.
Worst comes to worse and we get too close to the cap, sather will likely work his magic again via trades to lose shed some salary.
I just dont think its as big of a deal as some and think it would be very manageable. Just my two cents.
I would be absolutely shocked if there was another rollback. I just don't see any way the union accepts another one, not with Fehr running the show. Compliance buyouts, yes, but the only player we would buyout is Redden, and that doesn't help us.
More than likely, the cap will be about what is was last year. What it is the year after that is the real sticking point. If it's going to be 70+ mil for 2013-14, then sure, we can fit Nash, no problem. But if it's still hovering around 64-65 mil, things get much tighter.
You mis read. I didn't say a salary rollback. I said a cap hit rollback as a way to grandfather in existing contracts if the cap is drastically reduced.
I.E. Gaborik would still get paid his 7.5 million, but his cap hit would be reduced to say 6.750 (in between classes, just throwing out random numbers)
There is a big difference and I agree with you that overall salary rollbacks are highly unlikely.
__________________
I feel like this is such an appropriate quote for these boards...
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience"-Mark Twain
The thing about Thomas is that he has the toolbox to be a pro. His skating, passing and shot are all NHL caliber. It's obviously the size and strength that are the question marks. However, what keeps a lot of small players out of the NHL is how they read the ice and adapt to the play. Some guys just skate with their head down and end up either boxing themselves into a board battle they can't win, or getting flattened by an opponent. I.e., the Petr Prucha syndrome.
Thomas has always shown a willingness to get into the dirty areas of the ice. He's fearless out there, but sometimes a kid needs a few cautious thoughts in his head. He's going to have to learn how to find seams in the defense, and create open ice for himself against guys whose reach is wider than Thomas is tall.
I think little guys can succeed in the post-lockout NHL. Thomas can score from just about anywhere in the offensive zone. Just a matter of him finding the time and space to do it.
I respectfully disagree. If I was a betting man, I would bet against Christian Thomas making any sort of significant impact in the NHL on a consistent basis.
Physical shortcomings are difficult to overcome, and all of his attributes you listed were against junior hockey competition. Different scenarios and physical prowess entirely, but it harkens me back to those who used to fawn over Evgeny Grachev's junior numbers.
We'll see how he does in the AHL.
Ah, but the difference between Thomas and Grachev is that Grachev was too big and strong for his piers. Thomas is not. In last years camp he started slowly and as he got more comfortable his offense started to show through a little bit. If he keeps his feet moving he has the IQ to get to where he needs to in order to score.
I don't think he will be in the NHL this season, but if he made the team, I would not be overly surprised. He has a skill that this team sorely needs.
I respectfully disagree. If I was a betting man, I would bet against Christian Thomas making any sort of significant impact in the NHL on a consistent basis.
Physical shortcomings are difficult to overcome, and all of his attributes you listed were against junior hockey competition. Different scenarios and physical prowess entirely, but it harkens me back to those who used to fawn over Evgeny Grachev's junior numbers.
We'll see how he does in the AHL.
Physical shortcomings are as much of a guarantee of preventing a player from making the NHL as being physically superior is to making it guarantee that you make the NHL.
Theo Fleury excelled during the clutch and grab era. Marty St. Louis did during both era's. Im not saying Thomas is in the same class as either of those guys but its also not as if they were any more of a sure thing than Thomas is. Fleury was drafted in the 8th round. St. Louis wasn't even drafted.
Now Rocco Grimaldi at what 5'5? THAT is a different story.
I remember we were all saying these same things about Zucc after we signed him.
no everyone. I don't think Zucc got the best of opportunities with the NYR, but i'm not sure he was of the breed of St. Louis or Fluery, or even Gionta.
I remember we were all saying these same things about Zucc after we signed him.
I still think Zucc can be an NHLer. Just no room for him here. He looked great when he was called up again, but the broken hand just set him back too far.
