News Article: News and Notes XXV: Higher than the Highest Boss

[GoldiFox]

Sign TT 3 years x $5 million (target as low as he will go for 3 years). Buys one year of UFA. Re-evaluate at the end of the deal. TT isn't a guy I'd want to be paying a UFA premium to.

 

[bleedgreen]

I don’t want TT signed for more than three either. Eff that.

 

[zman77]

 

[Lempo]

Sign TT 3 years x $5 million (target as low as he will go for 3 years). Buys one year of UFA. Re-evaluate at the end of the deal. TT isn't a guy I'd want to be paying a UFA premium to.

If I'm not wrong, a three year SPC would end right when he goes UFA. 13-14 and 14-15 don't count against Accrued Season with less than 40 NHL games played, so he obviously won't hit the 7 AS limit before he's 27. Thusly he will be eligible for UFA status when he first is 27 or older on June 30th which will be in 2022.

 

[tarheelhockey]

OMG, I stumbled across a Mike Card prospect thread

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/thre...spect-mike-card-of-the-kelowna-rockets.12734/

 

[Ole Gil]

I don’t want TT signed for more than three either. Eff that.

His two way game has been outstanding this year. I used to think he was a slight liability but he's been Aho-light, making all kinds of plays to start the breakouts. I've been really impressed. He's been a complete player.

Regardless of whether it looks like he has a bit of a tummy in one picture from the summer, he's doing everything right on the ice, and getting results.

 

[Negan4Coach]

Again, Aho and his agent have to want to accept that $8 million. If they aren't idiots, they know that the price tag is going up as he explodes, so why would they settle?

Because every day that passes there is a non-zero chance that he explodes his ACL or is concussed to oblivion- better to pull the trigger sooner rather than later. I'd rather take $8 mil right f***ing now then roll the dice on maybe 9 or 10 later,

 

[MinJaBen]

Because every day that passes there is a non-zero chance that he explodes his ACL or is concussed to oblivion- better to pull the trigger sooner rather than later. I'd rather take $8 mil right ****ing now then roll the dice on maybe 9 or 10 later,

These kids have smart agents and feel bulletproof. I doubt he will sign for less than he feels he’s worth because he feels he could get injured. You and I would, but he won’t.

 

[A Star is Burns]

It's possible he suffers an injury. Maybe even one bad enough to end his career. Seems like most injuries don't fall under that category anymore though, especially for a young player. He would probably just delay his chance at a big pay day. That's also assuming he doesn't have some sort of insurance policy protecting against future earnings. I just heard about an NFL player that had that and suffered a big injury, so I'd imagine that is possible for an NHL player.

 

[emptyNedder]

His two way game has been outstanding this year. I used to think he was a slight liability but he's been Aho-light, making all kinds of plays to start the breakouts. I've been really impressed. He's been a complete player.

Regardless of whether it looks like he has a bit of a tummy in one picture from the summer, he's doing everything right on the ice, and getting results.

Absolutely agree. Teravainen is actually solid defensively and a real playmaker with the puck.

I am truly confused by the sense that Teravainen isn't a top line forward now and will fall off in the near future. His talent level is a lot closer to Aho than most realize. Remember that everyone was panicking in the preseason because Aho wasn't succeeding at center. Then he gets reunited with TT and suddenly everyone realize that Aho is an $8M center. Yet if I read the argument correctly some are more comfortable with Ferland at $5M than TT at $6M. Teravainen is arguably the second best player on the team.

 

[CandyCanes]

Absolutely agree. Teravainen is actually solid defensively and a real playmaker with the puck.

I am truly confused by the sense that Teravainen isn't a top line forward now and will fall off in the near future. His talent level is a lot closer to Aho than most realize. Remember that everyone was panicking in the preseason because Aho wasn't succeeding at center. Then he gets reunited with TT and suddenly everyone realize that Aho is an $8M center. Yet if I read the argument correctly some are more comfortable with Ferland at $5M than TT at $6M. Teravainen is arguably the second best player on the team.

This this this. Haven’t gotten to chime in yet. But TT is so underrated by some of you guys. He puts up 64 pts last year. He was our best PP forward last year. He’s quietly put up 7 pts in 7 games this year. He plays fantastic hockey on both ends of the ice. He’s got a very simple game, but effective. I don’t see why he’d drastically fall off after year 6 of a contract. I’d be happy to see him locked up for 6-7 years at 6mill per. I’m confident he’ll be a very effective player throughout his contract. I don’t see why you think he’ll regress anytime soon, he’s still young, he just turned 24 a month ago.

 

[tarheelhockey]

His talent level is a lot closer to Aho than most realize.

Talent level isn’t the question with TT. Never was.

Teravainen is arguably the second best player on the team.

This is one of things that’s “arguable” only in the strictest sense of the word.

 

[SaskCanesFan]

That would buy 4 UFA years though. Like it or not, when they hit UFA they move to a whole different salary bracket system.

Do they still though? Sure, that was the case when players signed team friendly RFA deals, but I'm not so sure now. If Aho is about to get over 8 on a second contract, does that mean he'd be worth 10 as a UFA? I just don't see it, he's good but that's top 1% franchise player money.

I'm having a real hard time with how quick these second contracts are inflating. Not even 2 years ago, the Oilers were laughed at for giving Drai over 8 million, but now it could soon be the norm. There's just no way that's sustainable unless something else changes, like UFA deals coming down, or else we're walking right into another lockout.

 

[HisIceness]

OMG, I stumbled across a Mike Card prospect thread

https://hfboards.mandatory.com/thre...spect-mike-card-of-the-kelowna-rockets.12734/

Mike Card sounds like a good name for a 40 something head football coach at Wyoming Tech University. Next year he will be at a power 5 school.

 

[CandyCanes]

Do they still though? Sure, that was the case when players signed team friendly RFA deals, but I'm not so sure now. If Aho is about to get over 8 on a second contract, does that mean he'd be worth 10 as a UFA? I just don't see it, he's good but that's top 1% franchise player money.

I'm having a real hard time with how quick these second contracts are inflating. Not even 2 years ago, the Oilers were laughed at for giving Drai over 8 million, but now it could soon be the norm. There's just no way that's sustainable unless something else changes, like UFA deals coming down, or else we're walking right into another lockout.

Hate to say it. We’re walking into another lockout.

 

[Lempo]

Do they still though? Sure, that was the case when players signed team friendly RFA deals, but I'm not so sure now. If Aho is about to get over 8 on a second contract, does that mean he'd be worth 10 as a UFA? I just don't see it, he's good but that's top 1% franchise player money.

I'm having a real hard time with how quick these second contracts are inflating. Not even 2 years ago, the Oilers were laughed at for giving Drai over 8 million, but now it could soon be the norm. There's just no way that's sustainable unless something else changes, like UFA deals coming down, or else we're walking right into another lockout.

We kind of went here two weeks ago:

Which is the main reason I wanted Aho locked up by now. Young players second contracts are ballooning over the last 2 years, I don't want to wait until it gets even worse.

How many of the league's top 10 or top 20 players at this point are RFA/ELC though? It's hard to justify that RFA should be paid less than UFAs if RFAs are the ones who bring butts to the seats and sell jerseys, and the agents of star RFAs know this. Nylander may be a harbinger of sorts of coming time when RFAs refuse to give discounts from their real value even if the CBA and NHLPA expects it of them.

I fully agree that there's a paradigm change aloof in how the salaries go after the ELC, or the very least the cream of this RFA generation and their agents is pushing for one. And they got a good case because the shiny new toys pretty much dominate the game in and out of the rink today.

The Draisaitl contract is nonsense though, and I expect teams in unison to push back from that.

The bad thing is that the UFA salary raise is kind of codified into the CBA, and it certainly is part of the existing culture. There's a natural reason to that too, because their having a say on where they will sign pretty much means that there will be an auction held between the willing takers and potential for overpayment.

Surely someone is going to be missing the money that goes to the top tier RFAs. It may be the not top tier UFAs whose auctioned salaries will be a bit less high, or the not top tier RFAs who get more meager extensions, or maybe the RFAs will take up all of the raise there will be to the salary cap.

It's funny that it will happen through individual salary negotiations of individual players, so there will be individual winners and losers. It's difficult to make a CBA issue of it and a reason for lockout, because it kind of is an internal matter of the player corps whether the UFAs will continue to get to take RFAs' money or the other way around. It's almost a place for the owners to play some divide & impera.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Do they still though? Sure, that was the case when players signed team friendly RFA deals, but I'm not so sure now. If Aho is about to get over 8 on a second contract, does that mean he'd be worth 10 as a UFA? I just don't see it, he's good but that's top 1% franchise player money.

I'm having a real hard time with how quick these second contracts are inflating. Not even 2 years ago, the Oilers were laughed at for giving Drai over 8 million, but now it could soon be the norm. There's just no way that's sustainable unless something else changes, like UFA deals coming down, or else we're walking right into another lockout.

Inflation doesn’t mean much. The CBA is designed so that the owners collectively spend the same amount of money no matter who signs what. If someone wants to be the dope who gets stuck with a terrible contract, that’s on him.

Also: we’ll have a lockout regardless

 

[AD Skinner]

Sad but true-ah, as james hetfield would say

 

[NotOpie]

I’d be happy to see him locked up for 6-7 years at 6mill per. I’m confident he’ll be a very effective player throughout his contract.

I'm with you on this. TT is very underrated defensively. He plays a solid game and has benefitted players on any line he's been on. Right now, however, his chemistry w/Aho is unmistakeable. I'd even sign him for a little more than $6 million.

 

[geehaad]

Uhh...didn’t pick up on it until tonight’s broadcast, but the franchise best start by the 95-96 Whalers, of which the Canes just equaled, was followed by the firing of coach Paul Holmgren. The reason: they went on a 5-game losing streak immediately after (then a win, then the loss that was Holmgren’s last game).

So...yeah.

So...yeah.

 

[DaJackal]

Aho with 4+9 = 13 in 8GP while constantly being the best player in the team.

We all know that you can't turn Aho into a housewife, but it seems like you can turn him into a C.

 

[Stickpucker]

Trade Pesce for Nylander now that Necas is sent down let him play 3C with Svech on the RW.

 

[HisIceness]

I would have thought the win at Minnesota would have kept their early success going. That was the kind of win that breeds success afterwards and the kind of win you build off of.

But yeah, as is tradition, nice things dont happen round here

 

[The Liker]

This is my final top 60 for the 2004 Entry Draft now that everything of note for the 2004 draft class (except for the last few CHL teams) has wrapped up. I have attended several hundred games and tournaments (all over the place) with prospects in them this year plus have chatted and corresponded with scouts, coaches, other hockey people and have read just about everything of import that has been written about these players.
Note: This is NOT a mock draft but a ranking.

1. Alex Ovechkin- Gee! What a surprise!
2. Evegeny Malkin- Duh!
3. Rostislav Olesz- The concussion doesn’t seem to have been a problem. I see Michalek with slightly better hands here so he stays at #3 for me.
4. A.J. Thelen- Better upside than Barker. REALLY impressed against older competition.
5. Laurie Tukonen- Was a man among boys at U18s. Excellent all-around sure-fire pro type.
6. Cam Barker- Has fairly obvious holes in his game but can also be a game-breaking big time talent.
7. Alex Radulov- Dynamic, catalyst, wants the puck and wants to win type. Exciting.
8. Andrew Ladd- Everyone who sees him seems to come away as a believer. Me too.
9. Marek Schwarz- Still ranks clearly as the best goalie for 2004.
10. Rob Schremp- This much talent gets you just about everywhere. I don’t buy the attitude problem stuff.
11. Wojtek Wolski- Still quite hasn’t put it all together but if/when he does…
12. Alex Picard- He just keeps scoring. I like his hunger and enthusiasm.
13. Drew Stafford- Solid 2nd line NHLer. Good 2 way guy.
14. Ladislav Smid- A lot of people poo-poo him because of Pierre McGuire’s comments based on one play in one WJC game. Nah- this guy could be a stud defenseman.
15. Dave Bolland- Love his drive, instincts and energy but seemed to run out of steam in the end.
16. Alvaro Montoya- Seems to be the consensus no.2 goalie this year.
17. Kyle Chipchura- Forget the stats- this guy really seems to have ALL the intangibles. Very well-rounded hockey player.
18. Wes O’Neill- Was up and down all year but size/skating ratio still makes him a prized pick.
19. Mike Green- Very solid can’t miss pick at this position.
20. Andrej Meszaros- Somewhat like Barker, love his positive puck movement and vision but has holes.
21. David Schantz- Outstanding playoff performance puts him into top 20 range.
22. Bruce Graham- Eric Daze but with even better playmaking potential.
23. Cory Schneider- Made a believer out of many at recent U18s.
24. Roman Voloshenko- Opportunistic sniper is on the rise. Needs to improve foot speed.
25. Boris Valabik- Meanest and biggest of he early picks.
26. Oscar Hedman- Excellent performance at U18s lands him 1st round status.
27. Johan Fransson- Proved his worth at high levels of play all year.
28. Lukas Kaspar- Can SHOOT and drive to the net like few others in this draft.
29. Blake Wheeler- Dominant HSer is rising with a bullet.
30. Lauri Korpikoski- Has come out of nowhere and improved almost every game. Real sleeper.
31. Jakub Sindel- Great hands but is his physical game suited to the NHL? I worry…
32. Enver Lisin- Great feet, but is the rest of his game suited to the NHL? I worry…
33. Petteri Nokelainen- Rough and tumble guy starting to show off high skill package too.
34. Adam Pineault- Draft position could be affected by choice of team for next season. Big upside and downside here.
35. Johannes Salmonsson- Will he even opt-in? Injury worries…
36. Carl Soderburg- Plays well-rounded pro-style game.
37. Devan Dubnyk- Had hot-and-cold year. Still needs to prove himself.
38. Travis Zajac- Just going on others’ comments here.
39. Roman Tesliuk- Due for big breakout next year. Very smart- excellent skater. Could turn out to be very underrated at this position.
40. David Booth- Pro-style two-way player with some skill but needs more mobility.
41. Kiril Lyamin- Best Russian U18 DF but lacks anything dynamic in his game.
42. Paul Stastny- Smart, skilled and who can argue with the name?
43. Mikhail Yunkov- Classic skilled, fast Russian forward.
44. Kyle Wharton- Really came on in 2nd half to show dominating potential.
45. Sergei Ogorodnikov- Poor man’s Radulov. Could surprise.
46. John Lammers- Fun to watch. Very nice skill package- due for scoring breakout next season.
47. Adam Berti- Can blow hot or cold. A poor man’s Wolski?
48. Justin Peters- Clearly best goalie pick for mid 2nd round.
49. Karel Hromas- Banger plays physical, traffic game well.
50. Alexei Emelin- Talented and smart with nice upside. Needs muscle.
51. Bryan Bickell- Power forward? Skilled bug guy? Space filler? Still don’t know.
52. Roman Tomanek- Showed great offensive instincts at recent world U18s.
53. Ryan Garlock- Just keeps up steady, decent play. Safe bet.
54. Vaclav Meidl- The Euro version of Bickell. Must find game-type and develop consistency.
55. T.J. Hensick- You can’t ignore this level of skill for too long.
56. Sami Lepisto- Was his WJC performance an anomaly? Will size be a problem? Big upside and downside.
57. Andy Rogers- Still love that size/skating ratio. Due for offensive breakout next year.
58. Martins Karsums- Reminds me of Hensick. Fun to watch- great energy guy.
59. Juraj Gracik- Shows power forward potential.
60. Alex Pluschyev- Real up and down player who sleepwalks through some shifts but oozes talent.
61. Evan McGrath- Only here because of the hidden talent in there SOMEWHERE. Really did not impress me (or many people) this year. Be very wary.
62. Jeff Schultz- Big project. Must improve footwork, faded late in season.

Other possible/likely 2nd rounders who I've missed (since compensation picks will be added) are U.S., U.S.-going or U.S. based players who I didn't see much or at all: Steve Birnstill, Casey Borer, Darrin Olver, Grant Lewis, Mike Lundin, Keith Yandle, Kyle Kluberanz, Matt Auffrey, Kevin Porter, Chad Kolarik, Geoff Paukovich, Paul Baier, Kris Chucko, Ray Sawada, Victor Orestovich, Jon Sigalet...

 

[Lucky Lindy]

Darling to Charlotte on conditioning stint, will probably play on Wednesday.