2025-2026 NHL Offseason

Meltdown99

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

I think that could be a golden opportunity for Montreal…stick Price on LTIR after the Olympics and load up the roster..But quite honestly Montreal is to classy of an organization to do that…

sure yeah, it's the class that would keep them from doing it, not the massive fines and draft picks if they were caught stashing healthy players on the LTIR, which is explicitly against the rules.  

Yes, Tampa will fall victim to the cap at some point.  That's just the way it is when you have young players that you develop and then need to get paid.  But they have been riding it for close to a decade now.  

Hate to break it to you…Price doesn’t make it through a full season without some major time missed…lol.  He finished this year sidelined until the playoffs…

MayDay10

They definitely need to seal that up, just like they did with the backloaded contracts and burying guys in the AHL.

I also think there needs to be some sort of index-adjustment for state/provincial/country income tax as well.  That is another pretty big advantage Tampa Bay has with the cap/attracting/retaining players.

Meltdown99

Indifference71 said:

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton on Lightning: 'We lost to a team $18M over the cap' - The Athletic

Salty tears.  

Nope.  The loophole should be closed though.  But I have little faith in buttface from the nba doing the right thing

Yep.  But I don't blame Tampa for taking advantage of an awful rule.  It's like when teams used to backload the contracts with 4-5 years at like 500K per year to bring down the AAV for the cap hit.  Teams will do anything they can to win.  There's a reason stuff like this only happens in the NHL....his name is Gary Bettman.

I don’t blame Tampa other than the fact that the cap benefits them more than most other franchises…does Tampa even try to show a profit?

I agree Bettman is the problem..Worst commissioner in all of sports..

Meltdown99

MayDay10 said:

They definitely need to seal that up, just like they did with the backloaded contracts and burying guys in the AHL.

I also think there needs to be some sort of index-adjustment for state/provincial/country income tax as well.  That is another pretty big advantage Tampa Bay has with the cap/attracting/retaining players.

The tax thing is interesting as well.  Does’t Vegas benefit with lower taxes?  You guys drafting the Michigan kid?  Do know if he’s NHL ready?  Any word on if Eickel stays or gets traded?

Meltdown99

I think we can all agree that’s it’s time to just enjoy some good hockey…No matter who you root for…good luck in the final 4.  I’m just happy Montreal is there…

I think there may be changes in Colorado?  

mrussel1

Meltdown99 said:

Indifference71 said:

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton on Lightning: 'We lost to a team $18M over the cap' - The Athletic

Salty tears.  

Nope.  The loophole should be closed though.  But I have little faith in buttface from the nba doing the right thing

Yep.  But I don't blame Tampa for taking advantage of an awful rule.  It's like when teams used to backload the contracts with 4-5 years at like 500K per year to bring down the AAV for the cap hit.  Teams will do anything they can to win.  There's a reason stuff like this only happens in the NHL....his name is Gary Bettman.

I don’t blame Tampa other than the fact that the cap benefits them more than most other franchises…does Tampa even try to show a profit?

I agree Bettman is the problem..Worst commissioner in all of sports..

I have to laugh at this because for years the Bucs were the worst team in football, yet one of the most profitable.  Culverhouse had no interest in winning, only wanted to maximize profits.  It wasn't until the Glazer's took over and started spending money did things change.  So whether the Bolts show a profit or not matters not to me.  It's about winning to them.  And yes, the lack of state income tax is a huge benefit.  I agree.  It also should help the Stars, Preds, Panthers, etc. 

MayDay10

Meltdown99 said:

MayDay10 said:

They definitely need to seal that up, just like they did with the backloaded contracts and burying guys in the AHL.

I also think there needs to be some sort of index-adjustment for state/provincial/country income tax as well.  That is another pretty big advantage Tampa Bay has with the cap/attracting/retaining players.

The tax thing is interesting as well.  Does’t Vegas benefit with lower taxes?  You guys drafting the Michigan kid?  Do know if he’s NHL ready?  Any word on if Eickel stays or gets traded?

There is a bit of debate, a lot of fans wanted Beniers, but Powers' World Championship performance has kind of made him the consensus I think.  Now the debate is where does he play?  Physically he is NHL ready, but everything else...  I wish he could play in the AHL, but he cant.  I loathe the NCAA as a development league.  

The general word out of here is that Eichel is a goner, and probably Reinhart too.  I have wanted them to trade Eichel for a few years as I think its clear he is/has been a lockerroom cancer, a terrible captain, and generally a brat.  We have been counting down on him melting down on the team/org for awhile and now he cratered his value.  I also think there are injury concerns.  He has been hurt a few times in training camp, non-contact (hurt his ribs in a 'shooting drill' apparently this year).  He had an ab injury last year that he somehow couldnt heal over a 9 month offseason, and now this neck shit.  

If I am another NHL team, I am only trading for Eichel if I have an established veteran leadership hierarchy who will grab him by the throat and put him in his place on the first day.  Typically, those teams dont have $10 million in cap space, so it may be tough.  

Meltdown99

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Indifference71 said:

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton on Lightning: 'We lost to a team $18M over the cap' - The Athletic

Salty tears.  

Nope.  The loophole should be closed though.  But I have little faith in buttface from the nba doing the right thing

Yep.  But I don't blame Tampa for taking advantage of an awful rule.  It's like when teams used to backload the contracts with 4-5 years at like 500K per year to bring down the AAV for the cap hit.  Teams will do anything they can to win.  There's a reason stuff like this only happens in the NHL....his name is Gary Bettman.

I don’t blame Tampa other than the fact that the cap benefits them more than most other franchises…does Tampa even try to show a profit?

I agree Bettman is the problem..Worst commissioner in all of sports..

I have to laugh at this because for years the Bucs were the worst team in football, yet one of the most profitable.  Culverhouse had no interest in winning, only wanted to maximize profits.  It wasn't until the Glazer's took over and started spending money did things change.  So whether the Bolts show a profit or not matters not to me.  It's about winning to them.  And yes, the lack of state income tax is a huge benefit.  I agree.  It also should help the Stars, Preds, Panthers, etc. 

Comparing the NFL to the NHL lol.  The NFL is printing money…he, he.

Meltdown99

MayDay10 said:

Meltdown99 said:

MayDay10 said:

They definitely need to seal that up, just like they did with the backloaded contracts and burying guys in the AHL.

I also think there needs to be some sort of index-adjustment for state/provincial/country income tax as well.  That is another pretty big advantage Tampa Bay has with the cap/attracting/retaining players.

The tax thing is interesting as well.  Does’t Vegas benefit with lower taxes?  You guys drafting the Michigan kid?  Do know if he’s NHL ready?  Any word on if Eickel stays or gets traded?

There is a bit of debate, a lot of fans wanted Beniers, but Powers' World Championship performance has kind of made him the consensus I think.  Now the debate is where does he play?  Physically he is NHL ready, but everything else...  I wish he could play in the AHL, but he cant.  I loathe the NCAA as a development league.  

The general word out of here is that Eichel is a goner, and probably Reinhart too.  I have wanted them to trade Eichel for a few years as I think its clear he is/has been a lockerroom cancer, a terrible captain, and generally a brat.  We have been counting down on him melting down on the team/org for awhile and now he cratered his value.  I also think there are injury concerns.  He has been hurt a few times in training camp, non-contact (hurt his ribs in a 'shooting drill' apparently this year).  He had an ab injury last year that he somehow couldnt heal over a 9 month offseason, and now this neck shit.  

If I am another NHL team, I am only trading for Eichel if I have an established veteran leadership hierarchy who will grab him by the throat and put him in his place on the first day.  Typically, those teams dont have $10 million in cap space, so it may be tough.  

Interesting…could be Eichel is a bust at this point.  Why can’t he be assigned to AHL…or Is he staying in college after being drafted?  Cole Caufield stayed in college for another 2 years and he looks very much an NHL player…he has a great shot a playmaker and is a decent defensive forward…and his defensive aspect is what I’m most impressed with…he was also coached by Tony Granato so that surely helped.

i don’t follow US College hockey…and the OHL did not play this season…drafting players from the O could be a gamble…

Building a winner is not easy.  I’ve been waiting 27 years…he he.  But I have the memory of seeing 6 Cups and a wealth of hall of fame talent  go through Montreal…

Too bad Buffalo named their head coach…Gerard Gallants is on the rise again…he would have been a good fit. 

Cheers to the Sabres.  I hope this Michigan kid is the answer and someone to build around…Tomas Tatar would be a good fit…won’t be expensive … he can be streaky though.  Montreal will likely not resign him.

cutz

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

Wobbie

F Me In The Brain said:

Congrats Wobert.
I'm not making up that I don't like Vegas.  Fuck that place.  One of the best things about last year was that for probably the first time in 20+ years I did not have to go to Vegas.  In 2019 I think I was there for nearly three weeks 
So....so, so, so, so, so done with that place.  
I know you liked it there.  Put your Golden Showers sweater on and go back!  . 

it’s a fucked up place but so many transplants I think they do understand/love hockey. petrangello says it’s probably the best place to play in the NHL...I assume he’s talking culture/ fans/facilities/organization.

mrussel1

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Indifference71 said:

Meltdown99 said:

mrussel1 said:

Meltdown99 said:

Hurricanes' Dougie Hamilton on Lightning: 'We lost to a team $18M over the cap' - The Athletic

Salty tears.  

Nope.  The loophole should be closed though.  But I have little faith in buttface from the nba doing the right thing

Yep.  But I don't blame Tampa for taking advantage of an awful rule.  It's like when teams used to backload the contracts with 4-5 years at like 500K per year to bring down the AAV for the cap hit.  Teams will do anything they can to win.  There's a reason stuff like this only happens in the NHL....his name is Gary Bettman.

I don’t blame Tampa other than the fact that the cap benefits them more than most other franchises…does Tampa even try to show a profit?

I agree Bettman is the problem..Worst commissioner in all of sports..

I have to laugh at this because for years the Bucs were the worst team in football, yet one of the most profitable.  Culverhouse had no interest in winning, only wanted to maximize profits.  It wasn't until the Glazer's took over and started spending money did things change.  So whether the Bolts show a profit or not matters not to me.  It's about winning to them.  And yes, the lack of state income tax is a huge benefit.  I agree.  It also should help the Stars, Preds, Panthers, etc. 

Comparing the NFL to the NHL lol.  The NFL is printing money…he, he.

The point is prioritizing winning vs profit. But your criticism of the lightning,  questioning whether they even turn a profit,  is silly.  Montreal is a great historic franchise,  but the Lightning have been a superior organization to Montreal on the ice,  where it matters,  for the past 20 years.  Easily. 

Meltdown99

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

He might want a guaranteed roster spot in the NHL or he’ll just stay in college…

Meltdown99

NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League announced today that it will reveal winners of 2021 NHL Awards presented by Bridgestone throughout the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals and Stanley Cup Final. 

Beginning this Monday, June 14, NBC Sports, Sportsnet and TVA Sports will announce winners during their pregame or in-game windows for the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals. Those announcements will be followed by media availabilities with each winner during the first intermission of the respective games. 

The daily schedule, which is outlined below (with finalists noted in parentheses), will culminate with a 30-minute program during the 2021 Stanley Cup Final that will reveal the winners of the five remaining awards: the Calder Memorial Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and Vezina Trophy. More details on that show will be shared in the coming weeks. 

All dates below are subject to change. More details on each award/finalist can be found in the 2021 NHL Awards presented by Bridgestone Information Guide, which is available on the Media site. 

Monday, June 14: King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Kurtis Gabriel, Pekka Rinne, P.K. Subban) 

Tuesday, June 15: Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Matt Dumba, Oskar Lindblom, Patrick Marleau) 

Wednesday, June 16: Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award presented by MassMutual (Renee Hess, Kevin Hodgson, Howard Smith) 

Thursday, June 17: Jack Adams Award (Rod Brind'Amour, Dean Evason, Joel Quenneville) 

Friday, June 18: Frank J. Selke Trophy (Aleksander Barkov, Patrice Bergeron, Mark Stone) 

Saturday, June 19: Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Auston Matthews, Jaccob Slavin, Jared Spurgeon) 

Sunday, June 20: Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (Voting for this award is conducted after the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The three finalists will be announced June 17.) 

Monday, June 21: Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award (No finalists) 

During 2021 Stanley Cup Final

Calder Memorial Trophy (Kirill Kaprizov, Alex Nedeljkovic, Jason Robertson)

Hart Memorial Trophy (Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid)

James Norris Memorial Trophy (Adam Fox, Victor Hedman, Cale Makar)

Ted Lindsay Award (Sidney Crosby, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid)

Vezina Trophy (Marc-Andre Fleury, Philipp Grubauer, Andrei Vasilevskiy)

Poncier

Meltdown99 said:

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

He might want a guaranteed roster spot in the NHL or he’ll just stay in college…

Or he might not want to go to Buffalo

mrussel1

Poncier said:

Meltdown99 said:

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

He might want a guaranteed roster spot in the NHL or he’ll just stay in college…

Or he might not want to go to Buffalo

Wouldn’t they retain his rights?  He’ll have to join Buffalo at some point unless he’s going to go play in a Euro league, which is highly improbable.

Meltdown99

Teams retain the rights to college players for 30 days after college, he either signs or is a UFA.

Teams retain the rights to CHL players for 2 years, either they sign, go back in the draft or if they are over 20 they are UFA.

With Buffalo having the number 1 pick they should be able to gauge his interest in playing in Buffalo.

Powers is from Mississauga, On….I doubt he’d turn down an opportunity to play close to home…

Powers is a real good player now.  He was excellent for Canada in the worlds…

Poncier

mrussel1 said:

Poncier said:

Meltdown99 said:

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

He might want a guaranteed roster spot in the NHL or he’ll just stay in college…

Or he might not want to go to Buffalo

Wouldn’t they retain his rights?  He’ll have to join Buffalo at some point unless he’s going to go play in a Euro league, which is highly improbable.

Wondering if he's putting out the return to college story so maybe Beefalo doesn't draft him.

Meltdown99

Poncier said:

mrussel1 said:

Poncier said:

Meltdown99 said:

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2182285

Projected No. 1 pick Power leaning towards return to Michigan next season

Owen Power, projected No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming 2021 NHL draft, is leaning towards playing another NCAA season at Michigan instead of turning pro.

"I think right now I'm probably leaning more towards going back to school," Power said during an interview with NHL Network on Friday.

"It's something I'd like to do, try and get the true experience of playing college hockey. At the end of the day, it obviously depends on what the team wants and what everyone around me thinks is best. I don't think there's really a bad option."

Central Scouting labeled Power the top North American skater heading to the draft in their final rankings in May. The 18-year-old defenseman had 16 points in 26 games for the Wolverines this past season and won gold with Canada at the world championship in Latvia.

The Buffalo Sabres, Seattle Kraken, and Anaheim Ducks hold the top three picks in this year's draft.

He might want a guaranteed roster spot in the NHL or he’ll just stay in college…

Or he might not want to go to Buffalo

Wouldn’t they retain his rights?  He’ll have to join Buffalo at some point unless he’s going to go play in a Euro league, which is highly improbable.

Wondering if he's putting out the return to college story so maybe Beefalo doesn't draft him.

Have you even read what Power said?  He basically is saying “ returning to college is a possibility, but he’ll do what the team ask him.”  Does not sound like he is trying to get Buffalo Disinterested.”  If he’s the best player then Buffalo needs to draft him because their fans deserve to have the best player picked with the number 1 pick…and if Buffalo is not interested in the best player, then they need to trade the pick and get as much help as possible…but they’d be nuts to pass on him…he’s. 6’5” dman who had already shown he can play with nhl players.  

Meltdown99

Islanders draw first.