F.Michael

We really need to get lucky next summer, and instead of dropping back - we need to get into the top 3. If NJ, or Edm end up in the top 3 - I'm gonna email Bettman concerning my displeasure Oh you, and your Germaness!

It's gettin a lil'hot in here...Can the reg season just start already?

Yeah at 25 I'd think most guys would prefer more $$$ over contract length...At 28/29 the light bulb suddenly flickers on, and for quite a few that length becomes more important.

If the player qualifies which in most cases players coming off their 3 yr ELC don't...IMHO it might be beneficial for both sides if the young players were allowed to have arbitration sooner than later...Food for thought in the next CBA. AA/Mantha/lil'Bert can file next summer since they'll still be RFAs.

I don't mind players getting their due, but when they've been in the league for a few short seasons I'd be wary of giving them what they claim to be 'fair market value'.

Looks as though Dubas can spend approx. $10 sumthin million range by using Clarkson/Horton LTIR $$$. The 3 of their top 4 UFA Dmen for next season will free up another $11.25 million...Adding salary cap growth (lets be generous, and say the cap will go up by $3 million for the 2020/2021 season)...That'll give Dubas some wiggle room of a hair over $14 million to play with...Not sure if he'll have enough to go around considering they'll want raises. I think this season will be their best shot at the Cup.

Does the LTIR not allow the GM to spend over the cap? Correct me if I'm wrong, but a big reason why Dubas acquired Clarkson's contract was to go over the cap just enough to sign Marner when the LTIR $$$ is made available.

The LTIR $$$ will allow Dubas to sign Marner. My point being is both guys mentioned will be off the books, and the Leafs are likely to be in cap hell next season as well (depending on who they try to keep on D).

Just made me think... With the Leafs relying upon LTIR $$$ (Horton, and Clarkson) to sign Marner...What will Dubas do next season when that LTIR $$$ won't be available since this is the last season where both players are under contract. Then again - 3 of their top 4 Dmen will be UFA so that might free up some $$$ if a few don't return. They really have this 1 year as their window...Might get a bit rough for a few seasons after this one.

Makes sense...Last season under contract, and he'll be a UFA come July. Guess he was waiting for Dubas to pull some magic. or sumthin to find cap space...Once the season begins, and LTIR $$$ is available - I expect Marner to eat up 99% of it.

Marleau already has a full time gig...Babysitting Marner.

Indeed. Used to be guys had to play 4, or 5 seasons at the NHL level before they got their big $$$ contract (and in most cases the contract length was 3, or 4 seasons). Some of these GMs need to be saved from themselves.

At this point it looks like Chyka overpaid by a considerable margin...I hope for Keller’s sake he puts up 65 plus pts. Many antacids will be consumed by GMs with these RFAs.

Kids these days...

I still recall the game against the Habs in which Laraque kneed Kronwall...

He, and Stuart were an exceptional 2nd pairing.

That GDT ‘Inglorious Babcocks’ still makes me giggle. For such a crude remark I should send you a bottle of 16 yr Lagavulin

Bieber.

Doug Maclean also 'leaving' Sportsnet...Can only imagine who they'll replace both Kypreos/Maclean with.....

I prefer the Seattle 'Kurt Cobain's Brain Matter'...Or short for 'KCBM'...Not to be confused with 'Kansas City Bowel Movements'.

Seattle Bane's FTW! EDGY!

A few days ago on NHL SiriusXM Radio the hosts were talking to a Seattle based sports writer about the future 32nd NHL franchise...When asked if there was any 'info' on the potential club name...Totems, Kraken, Metropolitans, and a few others that I cannot remember were pretty much crossed off the list. So I guess that leaves the Sockeye, Steelheads, Sasquatch, and possibly the Pilots as a choice?