2025-2026 NHL Offseason

MayDay10

fife wrote:

Sorry May day but your stats are not correct. first off Tyler Myers does not get paid 12 million a year. he signed a 7 year 38 million contract.

also, you can't blame the players for the teams signing them to that contract. it is the owners fault. they wanted the cap or do we forget that. they screwed themselves for agreeing to have the floor on the cap that has screwed them.

well, he does (would have made) make 12 million this season in a front loaded contract (where the cap hit is spread throughout the 7 years). The NHL wants to do away with the cap-circumventing front loaded deals.

The owners are in competition with one another and sign contracts based on the salary system in place... They cant all 'agree' to not sign players to big contracts. Thats illegal and NHLPA lawyers would be busting down the door.

Teams will find ways around the cap and circumvent the system, which is why we saw these front-loaded deals and deals that went well into retirement to soften the cap hit, Wade Redden making like $7 Million tucked away in the AHL, players going onto the LTIR to get off the cap hit, etc...

The system dictates the behavior. In all sports this occurs. Owners/Gms and Player Agents find ways to use the rules to their advantage.

MayDay10

fife wrote:

MayDay10 wrote:

every knew it was coming. Players, owners.... everyone is to blame for not figuring out a god damn system that is good for both parties and can progress the league/sport.

I believe the biggest move from that was firing Paul Kelly and hiring Donald Fehr.

They still all would have found a way to mess it up though

you are never going to have a fair system in the NHL cause you have too many teams that lose too much money. this strike again is not about the poor teams, it is about the rich teams.

I think a little more relief and revenue sharing can bring 2/3 or more of the league into the black. The extreme cases may be a lost cause, but the Buffalos, Ottawas, STLs, etc of the world can turn a profit.

We got Buffalo as an example with losing money each year (despite selling out 95% of the games in non playoff years). It is easy to say: "well dont sign Myers to a front loaded $38 million deal if you are losing money". Struggling franchises will lose these players, in turn, will lose fan support, lose more money, and it will be a circling drain. If more teams can hit the black without making it to Round 3 of the playoffs, it is better for everyone.
Plus, the owner of the Sabres doesnt really care about money. The problem is, if something happened to him (passed away, indicted, bankrupcy, etc....) there would be a lack of people interested in investing in the NHL.

I thought the PA should have gone in with a public demand for more revenue sharing owner to owner, as well as demand some sort of say in what happens in league affairs that affect revenue (such as the Phoenix situation, Islanders sitch, etc).

fife

MayDay10 wrote:

fife wrote:

Sorry May day but your stats are not correct. first off Tyler Myers does not get paid 12 million a year. he signed a 7 year 38 million contract.

also, you can't blame the players for the teams signing them to that contract. it is the owners fault. they wanted the cap or do we forget that. they screwed themselves for agreeing to have the floor on the cap that has screwed them.

well, he does (would have made) make 12 million this season in a front loaded contract (where the cap hit is spread throughout the 7 years). The NHL wants to do away with the cap-circumventing front loaded deals.

The owners are in competition with one another and sign contracts based on the salary system in place... They cant all 'agree' to not sign players to big contracts. Thats illegal and NHLPA lawyers would be busting down the door.

Teams will find ways around the cap and circumvent the system, which is why we saw these front-loaded deals and deals that went well into retirement to soften the cap hit, Wade Redden making like $7 Million tucked away in the AHL, players going onto the LTIR to get off the cap hit, etc...

The system dictates the behavior. In all sports this occurs. Owners/Gms and Player Agents find ways to use the rules to their advantage.

thats true, but again at the end of the day you can really blame the players for what the owners and gm do. if the NHL was smarted they would do away with the cap.

The system that they have was what they wanted to have if you remember the last lock out. The NHL was very happy about it but now they are not happy and want everything that they didn't get last time.

MayDay10

i saw somewhere that the 2 sides have agreed in principle on the front-loaded contract issue, an NHL player making over $550K in the AHL would count against the cap, abolishing re-entry waivers, and also teams will be allowed to trade off cap space (Im not sure exactly what that will mean).

MayDay10

early word is the NHLPA's proposal backs off the de-linking of actual revenue from the salary cap (they wanted to go by projections)...

But it increases what they want for this season, to make up for the "shortened aspect".

MayDay10

@DarrenDreger: Players move off guaranteed dollars is a big move in the owners direction. Interested to hear NHL response to PA's ask for more Make Whole $

@mirtle: If players ask for $180-million on top of $211-million for make whole in a shortened season... that ain't going to work folks.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: We're also hearing the NHLPA proposal will work off a percentage of HRR -- as requested by NHL -- and not a guaranteed dollar amount.

@DarrenDreger: PA moves off its position on guaranteed players share dollars + shifts more to the owners demand of a percentage base in the revenue split.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: But what those percentages are, and whether the $180M increase in Make Whole acts as a guarantee of sorts, remains to be seen.

polaris_x

MayDay10 wrote:

Do you really want to see a MLB-type system in the NHL? Its a disaster. It would be the end of the league. It couldnt survive.

Kris Versteeg, who makes $4.25 Million a year to score 50 points for a garbage team in a city he wouldnt be recognized from the garbage man is calling Bettman an "Idiot" and says that him and the owners are "looting the game".

i'm not saying it should be a mlb type system but they do have labour peace and at the end of the day - that is what fans want ...

it seems like you are on the side of the owners here ... is it your position that the players should cede certain rights and give in to the owners on this?

drivingrl

MayDay10 wrote:

@DarrenDreger: Players move off guaranteed dollars is a big move in the owners direction. Interested to hear NHL response to PA's ask for more Make Whole $

@mirtle: If players ask for $180-million on top of $211-million for make whole in a shortened season... that ain't going to work folks.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: We're also hearing the NHLPA proposal will work off a percentage of HRR -- as requested by NHL -- and not a guaranteed dollar amount.

@DarrenDreger: PA moves off its position on guaranteed players share dollars + shifts more to the owners demand of a percentage base in the revenue split.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: But what those percentages are, and whether the $180M increase in Make Whole acts as a guarantee of sorts, remains to be seen.

Who else do you suggest following on Twitter for the latest news? @NHLExpertPicks has been slackin' lately.

Indifference71

drivingrl wrote:

MayDay10 wrote:

@DarrenDreger: Players move off guaranteed dollars is a big move in the owners direction. Interested to hear NHL response to PA's ask for more Make Whole $

@mirtle: If players ask for $180-million on top of $211-million for make whole in a shortened season... that ain't going to work folks.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: We're also hearing the NHLPA proposal will work off a percentage of HRR -- as requested by NHL -- and not a guaranteed dollar amount.

@DarrenDreger: PA moves off its position on guaranteed players share dollars + shifts more to the owners demand of a percentage base in the revenue split.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: But what those percentages are, and whether the $180M increase in Make Whole acts as a guarantee of sorts, remains to be seen.

Who else do you suggest following on Twitter for the latest news? @NHLExpertPicks has been slackin' lately.

Dreger is right on top of all things with the lockout. Pierre LeBrun has been really good too. He's @Real_ESPNLeBrun

drivingrl

Indifference71 wrote:

Dreger is right on top of all things with the lockout. Pierre LeBrun has been really good too. He's @Real_ESPNLeBrun

Thanks!

MayDay10

polaris_x wrote:

i'm not saying it should be a mlb type system but they do have labour peace and at the end of the day - that is what fans want ...

it seems like you are on the side of the owners here ... is it your position that the players should cede certain rights and give in to the owners on this?

There is labor peace in MLB because players run amok. As a fan of a team that has become a farm team for about 6 high revenue teams it sucks. I dont watch games once my team is out of it in June every season. I dont want that in the NHL. That was the path it was going down before the 04 lockout. Every star player was going to Detroit, Toronto, Rangers, Flyers, and maybe 1 or 2 others. Teams were required to get the perfect mix of middling players and run a suffocating defensive system. It would be worse now IMO, even with the tradeoff of labor peace.

I think the players do need to give a bit here. It is a waste of everyone's time to keep their line. The owners can/will wait longer. The owners' system isnt that bad, especially if/when the players negotiate off it and score points on things like contract length, arbitration rights, etc. When compared to NFL and NBA, the proposal isnt that bad. They thought '05 was the end of the world and now they would like nothing more than to keep the system. By sitting, they are losing more money than they will salvage in negotiations. So many ex players have spoken up advising the players that it is not worth it.

They also need to fight to make the deal as long as possible.

lukin2006

Drowned Out wrote:

Question:
Will Justin Schultz and/or Nail Yakupov be eligible for the Calder Trophy if this season is lost?
It's the only individual trophy no Oiler has won (aside from the Richard, but it would have been won by Oilers several times if it had been around during the dynasty)......
Gretzky was denied the Calder for playing pro in the WHA before coming to the NHL.....would that rule apply to Schultz and Yakupov?

Where's Shultz playing...AHL? Yakupov...yes it should be denied...he's in the KHL that's pro hockey.

Unfortunately the NHL was never consistent with that rule...they denied Gretzky who played pro hockey but allowed a Russian years ago to win it :fp: :fp: :fp:.

lukin2006

drivingrl wrote:

MayDay10 wrote:

I saw someone tweet that in 1995 the agreement came on January 11th, and in 2005 the final cancellation was February 16th.

I was wondering if there was a specific date by which they just called the season dead if there was no agreement. One would hope that having a such a date in the rulebooks wouldn't be necessary, but here we are again. :fp:

The season a long ways from being lost.

MayDay10

@cotsonika: NHL might not like everything in PA offer. But if PA is on NHL framework, NHL can't walk out, say not speaking same language. Time to talk.

@TSNBobMcKenzie: @cotsonika Unless the $180M add to Make Whole turns a percentage based offer into a guaranteed dollar amount. Won't know til we see all #s.

MayDay10

@adater: The $180 million is nhlpa's desire for owners to foot bill for most of lockout pain to this point.And, well, they're the ones who started it

@LouisJean_TVA: It must not be ignited by the offerings of the players or NHL. Expect the details before you decide if the outcome is near it not.

polaris_x

MayDay10 wrote:

There is labor peace in MLB because players run amok. As a fan of a team that has become a farm team for about 6 high revenue teams it sucks. I dont watch games once my team is out of it in June every season. I dont want that in the NHL. That was the path it was going down before the 04 lockout. Every star player was going to Detroit, Toronto, Rangers, Flyers, and maybe 1 or 2 others. Teams were required to get the perfect mix of middling players and run a suffocating defensive system. It would be worse now IMO, even with the tradeoff of labor peace.

I think the players do need to give a bit here. It is a waste of everyone's time to keep their line. The owners can/will wait longer. The owners' system isnt that bad, especially if/when the players negotiate off it and score points on things like contract length, arbitration rights, etc. When compared to NFL and NBA, the proposal isnt that bad. They thought '05 was the end of the world and now they would like nothing more than to keep the system. By sitting, they are losing more money than they will salvage in negotiations. So many ex players have spoken up advising the players that it is not worth it.

They also need to fight to make the deal as long as possible.

what? ... what star player went to toronto!? ... either way ... imo the nhl has the most parity in any of the sports leagues now ... so, how is it that they need fixing? ...

but the players have given ... this negotiation hasn't been lets start at our end zone and meet at the 50 yd line ... the owners are in the end zone and the players are at the 50 yd line and the owners want to agree on the 2 yd line ...

lukin2006

MayDay10 wrote:

polaris_x wrote:

i'm not saying it should be a mlb type system but they do have labour peace and at the end of the day - that is what fans want ...

it seems like you are on the side of the owners here ... is it your position that the players should cede certain rights and give in to the owners on this?

There is labor peace in MLB because players run amok. As a fan of a team that has become a farm team for about 6 high revenue teams it sucks. I dont watch games once my team is out of it in June every season. I dont want that in the NHL. That was the path it was going down before the 04 lockout. Every star player was going to Detroit, Toronto, Rangers, Flyers, and maybe 1 or 2 others. Teams were required to get the perfect mix of middling players and run a suffocating defensive system. It would be worse now IMO, even with the tradeoff of labor peace.

I think the players do need to give a bit here. It is a waste of everyone's time to keep their line. The owners can/will wait longer. The owners' system isnt that bad, especially if/when the players negotiate off it and score points on things like contract length, arbitration rights, etc. When compared to NFL and NBA, the proposal isnt that bad. They thought '05 was the end of the world and now they would like nothing more than to keep the system. By sitting, they are losing more money than they will salvage in negotiations. So many ex players have spoken up advising the players that it is not worth it.

They also need to fight to make the deal as long as possible.

Of those teams you mentioned ... only Detroit had success ... winning the SC doesn't go to the team with the most star players.

drivingrl

Found this while surfing lockout tweets. Very sweet.

Must Watch: @predsnhl surprise a youth hockey game by bringing the full NHL experience to the rink. 250 fans #smashmob
http://youtu.be/wBMjPc69Tuk

This makes me hate the Predators less.

Drowned Out

lukin2006 wrote:

Drowned Out wrote:

Question:
Will Justin Schultz and/or Nail Yakupov be eligible for the Calder Trophy if this season is lost?
It's the only individual trophy no Oiler has won (aside from the Richard, but it would have been won by Oilers several times if it had been around during the dynasty)......
Gretzky was denied the Calder for playing pro in the WHA before coming to the NHL.....would that rule apply to Schultz and Yakupov?

Where's Shultz playing...AHL? Yakupov...yes it should be denied...he's in the KHL that's pro hockey.

Unfortunately the NHL was never consistent with that rule...they denied Gretzky who played pro hockey but allowed a Russian years ago to win it :fp: :fp: :fp:.

Yes, that was Makarov, winning it at 31 years old....that's when they changed the rules I believe.
Schultz is playing for the Oiler-owned affiliate in Oklahoma.....they've had Schultz, Eberle, and RNH all season, and Hall for a couple weeks now... and still can't draw fans.....sad. Schultz is leading the league in scoring...how often do you see that from a D man? Eberle is second, RNH is tied for third.
I kind of disagree about Yakupov...I don't see the difference between the AHL and KHL as far as pro hockey goes. How do you define pro? Size of paycheck? There are multi-million dollar AHL players as well...



and it looks like I'm gonna have to break down and join twitter.

Drowned Out

lukin2006 wrote:

MayDay10 wrote:

polaris_x wrote:

i'm not saying it should be a mlb type system but they do have labour peace and at the end of the day - that is what fans want ...

it seems like you are on the side of the owners here ... is it your position that the players should cede certain rights and give in to the owners on this?

There is labor peace in MLB because players run amok. As a fan of a team that has become a farm team for about 6 high revenue teams it sucks. I dont watch games once my team is out of it in June every season. I dont want that in the NHL. That was the path it was going down before the 04 lockout. Every star player was going to Detroit, Toronto, Rangers, Flyers, and maybe 1 or 2 others. Teams were required to get the perfect mix of middling players and run a suffocating defensive system. It would be worse now IMO, even with the tradeoff of labor peace.

I think the players do need to give a bit here. It is a waste of everyone's time to keep their line. The owners can/will wait longer. The owners' system isnt that bad, especially if/when the players negotiate off it and score points on things like contract length, arbitration rights, etc. When compared to NFL and NBA, the proposal isnt that bad. They thought '05 was the end of the world and now they would like nothing more than to keep the system. By sitting, they are losing more money than they will salvage in negotiations. So many ex players have spoken up advising the players that it is not worth it.

They also need to fight to make the deal as long as possible.

Of those teams you mentioned ... only Detroit had success ... winning the SC doesn't go to the team with the most star players.

The Rangers won their 94 Cup by pillaging the Oilers. The Oilers were def going the farm team route before the salary cap....I support the players in this, but I do think the cap, and revenue sharing (well, also a stronger dollar and ownership), is what saved the team here in Edm.