The Official 2008-09 NHL Season Discussion Thread

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:03 pm

I'm still trying to work out if the Ducks are going for the Playoffs, or rebuilding for next year. Trading away a forward for defence makes me think not, but if thats the case.

I would take a couple of prospects and your late first rounder, or something like that, i think for the Ducks to do it though, i would like to see them going after a top 6 forward, otherwise, it's not really helping us. Getzlaf, Perry, Selanne, Morrison and Ryan are our top 5 forwards, we don't have ANYONE that could be a 6th. We need a top 3 if any ???, Getz and Perry. The Bruins wouldn't dare give away one of theirs... Would be stupid if they did.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:04 pm

You want Sturm for next season?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:11 pm

Hmmm, no i'll pass on that.

Another thing is that the Ducks were meant to be trying to trade away Kunitz's contract, as we have a hefty amount of FA in the summer, we haven't done that at all, we've added and extra 250k with Whitneys, so Pronger must be traded for someone with a small contract, otherwise, next year, we'll need a completely new team.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:27 pm

Yeah, the Bruins are in a similar situation. They've got a lot of guys that are FAs after the season that will need to be re-signed. Kessel and Krejci are two at the top of the list. These two need to be wrapped up long-term. We can't sink money into big names coming in trades. Many are expecting the salary cap to stay the same or maybe even shrink next year. Everyone needs a little wiggle room.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:42 pm

With the Economic Climate, i'd bet a little money that the cap will go down. Making it harder for teams. Benefitting the KHL maybe.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:44 pm

But hasn't the KHL been struggling as well?

I have a feeling that while the top name UFAs this coming offseason may fetch a good amount, several of the others are going to end up accepting deals for much less than they had hoped.

Post by **joehelmer** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:49 pm

I hope that some players accept to go down in salary, if they want to stay in NHL they should. That way it would help to keep the good quality in the league. But I'm afraid that there's going to be several players who doesn't want to and that's gonna force the teams to release some players.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:54 pm

I don't think they can actually cut salaries. Can they? I'm sure new contracts won't see as much of an increase as they have in the past though. I'm also wondering if some players might retire because they can't find the big money they want to stay in the league. For example, a player like Guerin. I'm guessing he won't be offered a big contract to play next season. He might get $1M or so but not what he's making now. He could hang up the skates if he doesn't get what he's looking for.

Post by **batdad** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:23 pm

Only area I may post in occasionally. Just so things can be clarified for you.

To answer:

1. The NHL (Buttman) has stated the cap will not go down next season, but will likely the season after. If it goes down next year, it will be minimal, and will not affect the teams much for next season. This is not to say the teams will not budget for he year after though. if they are smart...they will.
So..why won't it? Because 90% of the NHLs revenuse (Season tickets, TV package deals, sponsor $, etc etc were all in before the economy took its nosedive. Even Xmas shopping for jerseys was mainly done. So...with that in mind it stays the same for next year. So, no SIGNIFICANT cap decrease next year. But their will be almost for sure in 2 years time.

2. They cannot lower their salaries, unless of course they are Free Agents. The NHLPA pays into an Escrow fund. The players all pay a % into this fund of their salaries. This is then held back by the NHL clubs, in case the NHL total salaries go over 55% of NHL revenue, which they are not allowed to. The cap will still be the cap. So the $10 mill contracts handed out, will still count for $10 million against the cap.

So..what does this mean? That next season, the NHLPA has set the Escrow fund at 24% of players salary. Why? Because if the revenues for the NHL are what they are expected to be (much lower)...the players cannot make more than 55% of that amount. The money that goes into escrow that is not returned to players (ie the amount that goes over the 55%, is distributed among the NHL member clubs.
if the Revenues are greater than expected (this season and last season) and the player salaries are less than 55% of revenues...the players get the money in escrow at the end of the season. Contract $ regardless of how much is lost in escrow still count against the cap.

Does this holdback/escrow affect the cap? No. Players salaries are calculated at 100% against the cap.

I am not 100% on thr 55% of revenues, but it is around that amount. Same for the 24% I gave out, it may be 25%. but you get the gist, I would think.

This is why the NHL and NHLPA are partners now. They both want to grow revenues so that as revenues go up, escrow losses do not occur for players, and if they go up enough..the cap goes up, and the players salaries go up.

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:27 pm

... or he could cash one more million on his bank account... Who would spit on 1M$ with the actual economic crisis?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:28 pm

Shadd666 wrote:... or he could cash one more million on his bank account... Who would spit on 1M$ with the actual economic crisis?

Somebody that has already made a whole heck of a lot of money and is getting older. At a certain point the money isn't enough to keep you playing.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:51 am

Screw trading Pronger, the Ducks need a new Starter, Giguere has been awful this year, a little understandable given his personal problems, but he just aint playing well at all. 3 goals on 7 shots tonight, Hiller not fairing much better, Ducks down 5-0 after 2.

Post by **philou21** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:33 am

Hey Getzlaf since you're a big fan of the Ducks you could tell me some information about them. I love the Ducks but where i am ( Quebec ) I can't follow them well or have news about them...you talk about ''personnal'' problem with Giguere. In Quebec we don't heard about this so could you told me the situation or you don't know anything more??

Thanks and GO Getzlaf GO

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:56 am

Yeah, Giguere's father died a couple of weeks before the All-Star game, he's been off all year though. GAA is 3.09 and his SV% just .903 aint the Giguere from our Stanley cup run years. Something just isn't there for him at the moment.

Post by **philou21** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 3:03 am

Oh yeah I see....that's a disappointment situation. I never heard of this new in QC. It could be a big distraction but you know is human just like me and you. It,s just happen in a crucial moment in the season. But Giguere is a awesome goalie, he just need to retrieve the momentum. Good Luck J-S .

gibson41 · Post by **gibson41** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:26 am

Brodeur got a shootout in his first start in months? That's scary. Devils will be deffinetly a threat in playoffs.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:41 pm

The Devils always seem to be a threat. They've one of those teams that even at their worst are a good team.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:57 pm

Brodeur of course had to get a shutout in his return game, it was written in the stars. They could go deep with the addition of a decent defensive defensman, and we all know who the rumours surround at the moment. Someone please take Pronger!!!

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:03 pm

So what happens to Clemmensen now? He's done a pretty good job as a starter after spending his pro career as a backup. Does he get traded to a team in need of a goalie?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:16 pm

I'd suppose so, he's been sent to the AHL for the time being, i'm surprised he didn't need to go through waivers with his age? Not sure about that one, Buffalo need a goalie in Millers absence. Clemmenson doesn't want to be a filler for the rest of his career does he, i'm sure he'd want to try and nail the starters job somewhere. His contract is up this year, maybe someone will give him his true chance at a job next season.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:18 pm

That's a very good possibility. I'm just surprised NJ isn't trying to deal him away now that Marty is back. They could get something for Clemmenson as a rental I would guess? Or maybe the teams that might be interested aren't playoff teams, so a rental isn't worth their time?

Post by **getzlaf15** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:30 pm

Maybe, surely someone wants him after the performances he put in for New Jersey.

The Flyers have had Metropolit and Vaananen claimed off waivers too, by Montreal and Vancouver respectively, meaning Briere can return to their line-up tonight. And my Fantasy Line-up.

I'm out to get you Maulers.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:34 pm

My fantasy team is hopeless!

Hmmm... I didn't know those guys were on waivers. Metro is a good solid fill-in player. If you've had your second or third line center go out injured, he can step in for a bit and help you out. I'm not really familiar with Vaananen's game. All I know of him is from EHM and obviously, he's highly overrated in the game.

Post by **getzlaf15** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:45 pm

Just heard TSN.ca talking about the Pronger trade to Bruins, and they're saying that the names possibly going the other way are Kessel, Mark Stuart and Joe Colborne. Don't like dealing with rumours, but that's a possibility. I like it, i'm sure Bruins72 won't though.

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 3:59 am

IMO, that's waaaaaay too much too give up for Pronger. Kessel is a big part of the Bruins' offense. Stuart is replaceable. Colborne has really made a lot of progress already in his first season in college. It just seems like they'd be giving up a whole lot for one guy that's going to count for a whole lot against the cap next season.