2012 NHL draft and off season thread

[Ike Witt]

Here is a little video for Guin.

[soulmurk]

Wild fans are rejoicing today, but I don't think they will be for very long once the season gets going. I'm utterly baffled. They went hard at the two biggest names on the market, and kudos to them for acquiring them, but now what?

The term I get, it's obvious by the structures that it's to knock down the cap hit, but even still the cap hits are restrictive. $7.5m for Parise is on the high side but about what I expected, but also for Suter? And both get full No Movement Clauses? Just short-sighted decision making which might make sense if they were in "win now" mode, but considering their depth, or lack thereof, they won't even win their division never mind the West.

Top line looks good: Parise - Koivu - Heatley. After that... Bouchard - Granlund - Setoguchi? Clutterbuck - Brodziak - Mitchell?

Not looking so good.

And on defense: Suter - Spurgeon and then Scandella - Gilbert and Falk - Stoner?

Rough. And they've got no cap room left to add anyone without losing someone.

As a Devils fan I don't begrudge Parise for making the decision he did. He said all the right things along the way and seemed to genuinely agonize over leaving the only team he'd ever known and never really even considered going to divisional rivals like the Penguins or Flyers despite some reports. He played the game well and got exactly what he wanted (nice signing bonus, Zach) where he wanted, so I wish him all the luck in the world. Looking at that team, he's going to need it.

[wolfman]

Yeah but this year has proven beyond a doubt you don't have to be very good. If you are good enough to get into the playoffs, you just need some injury luck and a semi hot goalie. And they are good enough to make the playoffs now.

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Yeah but this year has proven beyond a doubt you don't have to be very good. If you are good enough to get into the playoffs, you just need some injury luck and a semi hot goalie. And they are good enough to make the playoffs now.

The biggest thing you need to win a cup is depth. By putting half your payroll into one line, you sacrifice that. Injury luck becomes mandatory. Suter goes down and the blue line looks mighty sparse. Koivu breaks a bone and the top line sputters. Having one good line makes it nice and easy for the opposing coaches to shut things down. Too many power plays and your big three forwards start getting worn out. What happens if Parise and Koivu don't mesh? Which massive contract gets bumped to the second line? Is Suter going to be as good without Weber?

This is a massive gamble. It'll be a brilliant move if they win a cup. If not? They're gonna have a bad time.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by Ike Witt

Here is a little video for Guin.

Seen it, thanks. I wanted to get one of those Christmas ornaments made from the roof, but they sold out fast.


I don't know what Shero's next move is going to be, but I'm sure he'll pull something off. (Just as long as Semin doesn't end up on our teams -- we need a good winger, not a percussionist)

[antonio107]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

Seen it, thanks. I wanted to get one of those Christmas ornaments made from the roof, but they sold out fast.


I don't know what Shero's next move is going to be, but I'm sure he'll pull something off. (Just as long as Semin doesn't end up on our teams -- we need a good winger, not a percussionist)

I keep hearing Bobby Ryan, but it's really a question of "watcha gonna give up to trade for him?"

[soulmurk]

Originally Posted by wolfman

Yeah but this year has proven beyond a doubt you don't have to be very good. If you are good enough to get into the playoffs, you just need some injury luck and a semi hot goalie. And they are good enough to make the playoffs now.

To a degree. The Kings, who I'm assuming are your example, were very good. They suffered terrible luck and struggled to put it all together until exactly the right time. As you say, anything can happen once you're in, but generally the better teams prove themselves to be better teams against the Cinderella teams who rely on "getting hot" or a goaltender stealing them the series.

Are they good enough to make the playoffs? I don't think they are at this moment. They aren't going to win their division; Vancouver is still a vastly superior team. Which means they'll be fighting for 4-8 and I just don't think they have the horses.

To put it in perspective: They missed the playoffs last year by 14 points, finishing only 7 points ahead of 14th place Edmonton. Parise and Suter don't make them 14+ points better in the standings.

They're undeniably a better team with them, but better does not necessarily mean good. Yet.

I see these contracts as a gamble for a few years from now. They've got prospects coming up and eventually they'll be out from under Heatley's contract, etc., and I believe they're trying to time the tail end of Parise/Suter's peak with the rise of their prospects in the hopes that they get a 2 or 3 year window where they can win.

[antonio107]

Originally Posted by soulmurk

To put it in perspective: They missed the playoffs last year by 14 points, finishing only 7 points ahead of 14th place Edmonton. Parise and Suter don't make them 14+ points better in the standings.

But to put that into perspective, they were leading the west at the all star break and then got hosed with the injury bug. That's part of their depth problem, sure, but a healthy Wild with Suter, Parise and Konopka is going to be fun to watch, and I think they'll squeak into a 7 spot.

Jagr in Dallas is going to be funny as hell to watch, as well.

[soulmurk]

Injuries were part of it, but they were overachieving. Their success wasn't sustainable even if they'd remained healthy.

Anything can happen and you may very well be right; I just don't see it happening. But, that's why they play the games!

And, yes, Jagr in Dallas will be funny.

[mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Harborwolf

Injury luck becomes mandatory. Suter goes down and the blue line looks mighty sparse. Koivu breaks a bone and the top line sputters. Having one good line makes it nice and easy for the opposing coaches to shut things down. Too many power plays and your big three forwards start getting worn out.

That's pretty much what happened to the Habs this year. The team expected Markov back, but he wasn't ready, so they got Campoli (not much of a comparison, but a warm body for a month or two...) and then he got injured and suddenly your top D is Hal Gill, Josh Gorges (both of whom I adore, but they are defensive defensemen and don't help the offence or PP much) and PK Subban who is amazing but still rather inexperienced. It got pretty thin after that.

Then on the forwards, losing Gionta (Gomez...does his play count as a brain injury) and then all the other players who got hurt for stretches of time and couldn't play (White, Cammalleri...I don't even remember anymore) and you are left with one good line (Patches-DD-Cole) and a bunch of mismatched AHL call ups, rookie or young forwards, and fourth line pluggers trying to fill the gaps.

It was easy to shut down/score against the weaker lines and the rest is history. Plekanec played way too many PP and PK minutes and just couldn't provide that seconday even strength scoring as a result, especially not with a rotating cast of random wingers.

I really, really hope everyone stays healthy all year this year! I'm tired of watching the Bulldogs wear the CH!

[dalej42]

Anyone ever been to a prospect camp? I'm thinking about stopping by the Blackhawks camp this week.

Blackhawks camp

[Ike Witt]

Anyone surprised, at this point, that the Coyotes situation STILL has not been resolved?

[wolfman]

So The excitment of the free agent feeding frenzy is fading(and was anything but exciting for the Wings anyway).
and The shitty mart begins.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/81...-big-givebacks
My optimistic side thinks that both sides must have the missed-season disaster in the front of their minds, and cannot possibly fuck it up that bad again.

My pessimistic side wonders if the owners proved their point last time that they do have the bigger penis, and may think they can stick it it to the players. And they players know they lost badly last time and may try to save some face.

[Yeticus Rex]

Originally Posted by Ike Witt

Anyone surprised, at this point, that the Coyotes situation STILL has not been resolved?

Doan may be ripe for the picking.

[Ike Witt]

Going forward, I better NEVER hear the Flyers complaining if some team signs a UFA to an offer sheet.

[mnemosyne]

I do NOT want Weber in a Flyers uniform. Blech.

Fourteen years. My nephew will be almost ready to start driving. Unbelievable. One injury, one severe illness, and that is one hell of an albatross around that team's neck (to go with a few others...). I'd like to see these cap-circumventing contracts curtailed, maybe a maximum of 8 years or something.

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by mnemosyne

Fourteen years. My nephew will be almost ready to start driving. Unbelievable. One injury, one severe illness, and that is one hell of an albatross around that team's neck (to go with a few others...). I'd like to see these cap-circumventing contracts curtailed, maybe a maximum of 8 years or something.

With all due respect and no offense intended, balls to that.

I've already seen a salary cap put into place to protect owners from their own stupidity (everyone wave to the NY Rangers). I'll be damned if I'll lose out on schadenfreude caused by 10+ year contracts with stupid money and/or a no movement clause (everyone wave to the NY Islanders and Rick DiPietro).

[mnemosyne]

OK, you're kind of right...it is rather hilarious.

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by mnemosyne

OK, you're kind of right...it is rather hilarious.

And speaking of hilariously stupid long term contracts......

"The Philadelphia Flyers have signed restricted free agent (D) Shea Weber to an offer sheet. There will be no further comment at this time,'' general manager Paul Holmgren said in a statement.

The offer is a relatively modest contract reportedly for over $100 million for 14 years! As Weber is an RFA, Philly would owe Nashville four first round draft picks if Nashville doesn't match the offer. Philly would give up fourteen years, $100 million, and four first round picks for one player.

Part of me wants to think that these insane contracts being offered one year before the expiration of the CBA is some bizarre ploy by the owners to make more demands because they're clearly too insane to be allowed to handle money and thus must be protected from the players and themselves. The intelligent part of me knows that it isn't a ploy, and that the owners really are too insane to be allowed to handle money.

Honestly, Weber is a good defenseman. I just don't see him being worth this kind of money. He's not Crosby. He's not Ovechkin. He's not Malkin or Datsyuk. Even in terms of his position. He's not a Lidstrom. Not a Bourque. Probably not even a Pronger. I would rather see the Wings go another decade without a cup than see them become so stupid as to attempt to match these sorts of contracts.

And I hope that the Preds don't try to match this offer. Losing Suter and Weber in one off season will suck, but not as much as pinning a hefty chunk of your future on one dude. Take the picks and the savings and use it for the next CBA.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by Harborwolf

With all due respect and no offense intended, balls to that.

I've already seen a salary cap put into place to protect owners from their own stupidity (everyone wave to the NY Rangers). I'll be damned if I'll lose out on schadenfreude caused by 10+ year contracts with stupid money and/or a no movement clause (everyone wave to the NY Islanders and Rick DiPietro).

Don't wave too hard -- if you create a breeze, he might fall over and hurt himself.

[Ike Witt]

Nash finally gets out of Columbus and is heading to New York.

[soulmurk]

Nashville wisely matched Philthy's offer sheet on Weber. Interesting recent spat of activity between that and the Rangers trading away a good portion of their depth and best defensive forwards for Rick Nash.

With the pool of free agent defensemen all dried up I have to wonder what the two Pennsylvania teams are going to do to shore up their defenses, because it's hard to imagine they're happy with what they're poised to put out on opening night as they stand now.

[Barkis is Willin']

Originally Posted by soulmurk

Interesting recent spat of activity between that and the Rangers trading away a good portion of their depth and best defensive forwards for Rick Nash.

If you're implying that this was a good trade for the Blue Jackets, you'd be the first I've heard say so. They've been getting hammered by the local media for settling for pennies on the dollar from NY.

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by soulmurk

Nashville wisely matched Philthy's offer sheet on Weber.

I disagree. There's been a bit of talk that Weber wanted out of Nashville which is why he signed the offer. That would mean that Nashville is paying a ton of money to a player who doesn't want to be there on a front loaded long term contract that will be nearly impossible to trade away for up to five years if not more. Plus they're overpaying. A lot. A whole lot. Overpaying for one guy who won't win them a cup and may have a worse season without his partner Suter.

That and in a year when the CBA expires, they may have been able to use the money saved to sign free agents to better deals and still have the four first round draft picks to get some youth into their system.

[soulmurk]

Originally Posted by Barkis is Willin'

If you're implying that this was a good trade for the Blue Jackets, you'd be the first I've heard say so. They've been getting hammered by the local media for settling for pennies on the dollar from NY.

It is a good trade. Not a great trade, but a good trade, which is about all one can hope for when everyone knows the player wants out and he has a full No Movement Clause he can use to block trades he doesn't like. After hearing some of the names Howson was after in return for Nash it seems like settling, and it was to a degree but only because he simply wasn't going to be getting a package that included stars-in-the-making like Ryan McDonaugh or Jeff Skinner like he reportedly wanted. Ultimately he got what he publicly stated he wanted: two NHL ready top 6 forwards and some help on defense.

The general perception on the deal is that Columbus got some spare parts for Nash but Dubinsky and Anisimov are underrated two-way forwards and Erixson is a highly ranked defensive prospect.

The side of this story no one is mentioning is the damage NY did to itself in this trade, which, as a Devils fan I find delicious. As that article mentions, between losing Prust to FA and then trading Dubinsky and Anisimov, they lost 3 of their top 4 defensively responsible forwards who took on the tough assignments. They've still got some cap space, but the FA market is pretty tapped out so it would require some more trades to acquire guys who can handle starting in the defensive zone so the likes of Brad Richards and Gaborik and now Nash can enjoy all those offensive zone starts they need to be successful.

Originally Posted by Harborwolf

I disagree. There's been a bit of talk that Weber wanted out of Nashville which is why he signed the offer. That would mean that Nashville is paying a ton of money to a player who doesn't want to be there on a front loaded long term contract that will be nearly impossible to trade away for up to five years if not more. Plus they're overpaying. A lot. A whole lot. Overpaying for one guy who won't win them a cup and may have a worse season without his partner Suter.

There's also been quotes by him saying that he wanted to stay, so no one really knows what's going on in his head. What we can know though is that he knew when he signed the offer sheet on a 14 year deal there was every chance that Nashville would match it and he'd be a Predator life. I think if he really wanted out he'd have held out for a one year deal, gone to arbitration if he couldn't get it, and then fled as a UFA next year.

I agree that it's a bit of an overpayment, but it was still necessary that they match it. Philthy put them in a tight spot with the cap-circumventing structure of the contract, but Nashville had to keep him--it would have been devastating to the team itself in terms of performance, and a huge blow to its public relations to lose their two best defensemen in the same off-season after taking big strides the past few years and garnering much needed local support.

Weber is an elite shut-down defenseman and was the stronger part of the Weber-Suter tandem. He'll be fine without Suter... I think Minnesota is going to be the one with buyer's remorse when they see Suter without Weber.

As to trading it, you're absolutely right. It's not going anywhere for at least 6 years because between the salary (14, 14, 14, 14, 12, 12) and the signing bonuses (13, 13, 13 ,13, 8, 8), no one will touch it. After that though, if needed (nothing saying he won't still be effective in 6 years-he'd be 32 and d-men tend to have longer peaks to their careers), they could probably move it to a team like the Islanders who'd benefit from the higher cap hit helping them get to the cap floor while costing them less actual cash.

That and in a year when the CBA expires, they may have been able to use the money saved to sign free agents to better deals and still have the four first round draft picks to get some youth into their system.

This is the biggest problem. If there's a lockout they're on the hook for a lot of money in one calendar year where there's no income coming in, so they're either confident they can absorb the hit if necessary or are gambling that there won't be a lockout.

As to saving the money, yeah it would free up a lot of cash but who do you spend it on? They're an offensively starved team as it is that's relied on its strong defense and outstanding goal tending to succeed. If they were to lose both Suter and Weber in the same summer, the list of UFAs out there is remarkably thin and they're suddenly in need of completely overhauling both their O and D.

And the promise of four first rounders is tempting, but since they'd be from the Flyers they'd all likely be late first rounders which are not nearly as valuable or likely to return a high-end talent. Statistically, an elite talent like Weber in the hand is worth far more than four late first round picks.

[antonio107]

Nashville may be a step back without Suter, but with the same forwards as last season, and Peka Rinne playing well in nets, they're still going to be a playoff team.

I'd be more worried about Detroit taking a step back this year, TBH...

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by antonio107

I'd be more worried about Detroit taking a step back this year, TBH...

Not worried about it at all. I'm fully expecting it. They'd be taking a step back even if they signed Suter. Losing Lidstrom and Stuart is a big hit, but it happens. You don't lose a player like Lidstrom and keep on chugging.

I think Detroit can still make the playoffs but may not. If they do, they could possibly win a cup but probably won't. They may even have to give up a bit more than they'd like shopping for trades this year depending on the start they have. I'd still rather have that then have them spending a ton of cash just so they can sign somebody.

[dalej42]

Tim Thomas is interjecting himself into the Chik Fil A controversy over same sex marriage.

Story

Really, Tim?

You're taking a year off from hockey just to make right wing political statements?

I'm wondering if he's seriously thinking of getting into politics?

[Harborwolf]

Alexander Semin signs with Carolina for $7 million.

[Ike Witt]

Originally Posted by dalej42

Tim Thomas is interjecting himself into the Chik Fil A controversy over same sex marriage.

He really seems to overestimate the general public opinion of athletes.

[antonio107]

Originally Posted by Harborwolf

Alexander Semin signs with Carolina for $7 million.

Staal, Semin: Staal! The Coitus interruptus line.

[dogbutler]

Originally Posted by antonio107

Staal, Semin: Staal! The Coitus interruptus line.

LOL. He better step it up for $7million.

[Rysto]

Originally Posted by dalej42

You're taking a year off from hockey just to make right wing political statements?

This surprises you? I called this way back when he made the original announcement.

[Guinastasia]

Originally Posted by dalej42

Tim Thomas is interjecting himself into the Chik Fil A controversy over same sex marriage.

Story

Really, Tim?

You're taking a year off from hockey just to make right wing political statements?

I'm wondering if he's seriously thinking of getting into politics?

Considering that the NHL includes a lot* of gay-friendly athletes, I don't think ol' Timmy is going to endear himself with the rest of the league. Hell, his own teammate, Zdeno Chara, made a video for the You Can Play project. I'm guessing Tim won't be following in his footsteps.



*At least compared to other pro-sports. Probably all the Canadian and European influence.

[antonio107]

Serious question: does it necessarily follow that the "You Can Play" endorsers are pro gay marriage? I don't know. You can play is about letting openly gay players not get bullied around in sports, something I assume everyone to the left of Fred Phelps supported...

Tim Thomas is being a choad. I'm tired of every entertainer giving me their dime store opinion on politics...

[bmoak]

Originally Posted by soulmurk

The general perception on the deal is that Columbus got some spare parts for Nash but Dubinsky and Anisimov are underrated two-way forwards and Erixson is a highly ranked defensive prospect.

The side of this story no one is mentioning is the damage NY did to itself in this trade, which, as a Devils fan I find delicious. As that article mentions, between losing Prust to FA and then trading Dubinsky and Anisimov, they lost 3 of their top 4 defensively responsible forwards who took on the tough assignments. They've still got some cap space, but the FA market is pretty tapped out so it would require some more trades to acquire guys who can handle starting in the defensive zone so the likes of Brad Richards and Gaborik and now Nash can enjoy all those offensive zone starts they need to be successful.

What damage? Anisimov was not a top-four defensive forward on the Rangers. He was behind Boyle, Prust, Callahan, Dubinsky and Fedotenko, and Stepan and Hagelin were eating into his PK minutes and late-game defensive minutes by the end of the year. You also seem to have forgotten that the Rangers signed Pyatt and Halpern to pick up the slack. Also, it's a lot easier and cheaper to pick up a defensive forward for the stretch run than to pick up a first-line player.

Dubinsky, given his cap hit, would have to go regardless if the Rangers were to add anyone significant. Erixon, while a good prospect, doesn't seem to have a spot for him on the Columbus blueline right now, and wouldn't on the Rangers either, unless he could be switched to RD. The Rangers didn't give up any of the young forwards that Columbus reportedly wanted (Stepan, Kreider, Hagelin, Miller) and didn't give up Del Zotto, much less McDonagh.

[soulmurk]

Originally Posted by bmoak

Anisimov was not a top-four defensive forward on the Rangers.

Fair enough, he got 52.7% Offensive Zone Starts, but his Corsi Rel was 4th best on the team amongst forwards who played at least 20 games. He also had the 5th best On-Ice Save% amongst the same group. It might be overstating things to say he was a defensive forward as he seems to have been used (rightly so--he was 4th on the team in Points/60) as an offensive forward, but he hasn't exactly been a slouch defensively. He's exhibited strong two-way play.

He was behind Boyle, Prust, Callahan, Dubinsky and Fedotenko

He was 7th on the team in TOI/60 and 6th in TOI/G, ahead of Boyle, Prust and Fedotenko in both measurements, so I'm not sure where you're getting your info.

Stepan and Hagelin were eating into his PK minutes and late-game defensive minutes by the end of the year.

You have a case for Hagelin... Stepan not so much. He was 2nd behind only Gaborik in sheltered minutes (62.9% Offensive Zone Starts) and finished 5th worst on the team in Corsi Relative.

Though on the flip side, during the playoffs Stepan got strong SH/TOI while Hagelin got less SH/TOI than even Brad Richards. Not sure how much of that was related to Dubinsky being hurt though.

You also seem to have forgotten that the Rangers signed Pyatt and Halpern to pick up the slack.

I didn't forget... I didn't know. Shrewd moves that do help fill in the gaps, but let's be honest here, they're not Dubinsky and Anisimov. Even ignoring their advanced ages, 30 and 36, they're fourth liners on a team with a lot full of fourth liners who will be pushed up onto the third line in a checking role.

Ask yourself, who would you rather have out there against another team's top line, Dubinksy or Jeff Halpern? It's a downgrade no matter how you slice it.

Also, it's a lot easier and cheaper to pick up a defensive forward for the stretch run than to pick up a first-line player.

Agreed, but picking up someone for the stretch run implies the team is in a position to make a run and losing two-way and defensive depth for a couple of pylons in skates and banking that your all-world goal tender is going to repeat his career year while also hoping that the kids are ready to take the next step is a risky proposition.

Sather is clearly in win-now mode and he's taking a big gamble with this trade. He's given himself a two year window to win with this team, because after 2013-14 the team will be Nash, Richards and Staal. Every single other player on the roster is a free agent by that point, most of them UFAs.

Dubinsky, given his cap hit, would have to go regardless if the Rangers were to add anyone significant.

This is true, and he's been mentioned in pretty much every trade involving the Rangers pretty much since he signed that contract.

Erixon, while a good prospect, doesn't seem to have a spot for him on the Columbus blueline right now

My guess is he'll be getting top 4 minutes by the end of the season, but they're hamstrung by their own stupidity (the Wisniewski and Johnson contracts are going to haunt them).

He's not just "a good prospect," he's a very good prospect. His reputation takes a hit because of the shenanigans he pulled with not wanting to play for Calgary... but who can really blame him? Karma got him in the end...

The Rangers didn't give up any of the young forwards that Columbus reportedly wanted (Stepan, Kreider, Hagelin, Miller) and didn't give up Del Zotto, much less McDonagh.

No one thought they would. Everyone knew Howson wasn't going to get the names he was reportedly asking for, but that's how negotiations work. You start out asking for the stars and the moon and "settle" for something lesser. If he started out asking for Dubinsky and Anisimov he'd have ended up with Rupp.

[Ike Witt]

So, the sale of the Coyotes hits another snag. Who knew?

[antonio107]

Originally Posted by Ike Witt

So, the sale of the Coyotes hits another snag. Who knew?

Just fucking move it, already...

And so I don't sound like every other frat boy in Canada, I don't even care where you move it. Seattle, Kansas, Las Vegas...hell, build an ice rink in Mexico City. 20 million people, surely there's more people interested in the novelty--and in the sun belt, ice hockey is a novelty--of the NHL than in Glendale. I get the feeling like this has become personal for Bettman at this point after losing Atlanta.

[antonio107]

Alfie's coming back for another season!

...Cup Run?

[Leaffan]

So, a potential lockout if an agreement isn't reached by something like Sept. 15?

I don't know if I could stomach another lockout. This could, and I emphasize could, turn me off the NHL for a long time. I don't know the sticky points, apparently revenue sharing between teams is one of them, but do fans really have an appetite for another lockout/strike?

Fuck them all, as far as I'm concerned. This sport has been gaining in popularity and they won't be doing themselves any favours with another labour disagreement.

Lock the fuckers out and bring in the junior teams; the calibre of hockey isn't that much worse as witnessed in the annual juniors' tournaments.

Sorry you can't survive on $3 million a year.

[Guinastasia]

IS there a real chance of a lockout, or is it just a scare? PLEASE be the latter. This time around it's not the players, though -- it's Bettman vs. the owners.

[Rysto]

Originally Posted by Guinastasia

IS there a real chance of a lockout, or is it just a scare? PLEASE be the latter. This time around it's not the players, though -- it's Bettman vs. the owners.

Everything that I'm hearing says, "See you in January -- if you're lucky."

If there's another lockout, the NHL may well lose me as a viewer. Shutting down the league to squeeze a few extra million dollars out of the players? Fuck that noise. I'll find something to do with my time that won't jerk me around.

[mnemosyne]

One angle I'm seeing talked about is that it's not only owners v players, but also owners v owners. The owners of the more financially successful teams want to reduce revenue sharing, want to remove the hard cap, etc why the owners of the financially inept teams want a lower/no cap floor, more revenue sharing and so on. So until they get on the same page, it's going to be hard to negotiate with the players, who I assume are largely OK with the major elements of the current CBA.

The owners fought tooth and nail for this CBA, and now are whining that it doesn't work for them. The league is keeping a team on life support in the desert, which creates a bit of a conflict of interest on that front, and while they've made more money than ever before, they are saying they can't afford to pay the contracts they've gone out and signed. It's nuts.

[Guinastasia]

Unfortunately, they don't even show any other hockey on TV around here, and I can't afford to go to any other games. Damn you, you greedy fucking bastards.

[Harborwolf]

Originally Posted by mnemosyne

The owners fought tooth and nail for this CBA, and now are whining that it doesn't work for them. The league is keeping a team on life support in the desert, which creates a bit of a conflict of interest on that front, and while they've made more money than ever before, they are saying they can't afford to pay the contracts they've gone out and signed. It's nuts.

Indeed. Given the contracts offered up to Parise, Suter, and Weber this year and similar ones before, I find it hard to have any sympathy for the owners. "We need to force players to lower their salary demands and settle for maximum five year deals" because the owners can't be trusted to not offer insane amounts of cash and insanely long length on their own. I'd respect them more if they would just come out and say that they're all insane and need to be protected from themselves because they view winning the free agent race in the same way they view winning the Stanley Cup.

When this lockout comes, and boy am I ever betting it's going to be a "when" and not an "if," I'm blaming the owners.