Could be. I was talking to a friend on Sunday (I've got three in case anyone had a wager going) and said that I think this will be one of the most interesting hockey seasons to watch in a long time. You've got the Marner situation in TOR and whether their changes will improve the results. The Oilers doing all they can to finally get to the top (not to mention all of their upcoming contracts to sort out), Nashville going all in, and close to home - the Hawks hopefully starting their ascent back to relevance.

Add in the Laine move to MTL, and all the turnover in CAR and there are tons of fun storylines this year.
- Chunk

The over under was 2, nice job!

The over under was 2, nice job!
- rpeters01

The over under was 2, nice job!
- rpeters01

Chunk was counting his wife - 2 without her.

Chunk was counting his wife - 2 without her.

- boilermaker100

Dude! not supposed to expose me like that. Fully mean spirited.

Considering how much I pissed her off yesterday, you aren't far off though.

Philadelphia Flyers
@NHLFlyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach.

Montreal didn't end up having to give up too much to get Laine and 2nd. They might score some goals this year. Maybe if Kirby Dach can stay in the lineup and play okay, with Demidov coming next year, they start to become relevant again?

I'm not a big fan of their D though. I know there is a lot of hype around Lane Hutson so maybe they start to improve a little bit on the back end.

Philadelphia Flyers
@NHLFlyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Ryan Johansen on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of terminating his contract due to a material breach.
- LAHawk

From TSN - "He's going through some kind of rehab," Briere told NHL.com June. "He had an injection; claims he has a hip injury. At this point, honestly I'm not too sure where it's at. We're not sure if he's going to need surgery, or if he's going to be ready for camp. We don't really know at this point."

Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
Ryan Johansen will have 60 days to decide if he wants to file a grievance on his contract termination via the NHLPA.

Early indication is he's likely to do so.

Multiple players who have gone that route in the past have ended up with negotiated settlements.

If theJohansen release comes to fruition, not only does PHI gain 4M in cap space, but NSH gets 4M in cap relief too since they retained that amount when Johansen was traded to the Avs. Of course, this isn't taking account any settlement cost. With the additional cap space Trotz may he able to get a top player back in an Askarov trade.

If theJohansen release comes to fruition, not only does PHI gain 4M in cap space, but NSH gets 4M in cap relief too since they retained that amount when Johansen was traded to the Avs. Of course, this isn't taking account any settlement cost. With the additional cap space Trotz may he able to get a top player back in an Askarov trade.
- boilermaker100

The quotes I've seen the reasoning for terminating the contract seem a little weak. I wonder if this is going to be the next loophole, teams trying to terminate contracts with any excuse they can find to get cap space back.

I was just reading Powers article on the top Hawks under 23. It lists Bedard at 5'10" and 195. If that's accurate, I'm even more interested to see what he can do this year. That is a stout MFer if that is the case.

I was just reading Powers article on the top Hawks under 23. It lists Bedard at 5'10" and 195. If that's accurate, I'm even more interested to see what he can do this year. That is a stout MFer if that is the case.
- Chunk

The deep dish pizza gets us all, Chunk!

If theJohansen release comes to fruition, not only does PHI gain 4M in cap space, but NSH gets 4M in cap relief too since they retained that amount when Johansen was traded to the Avs. Of course, this isn't taking account any settlement cost. With the additional cap space Trotz may he able to get a top player back in an Askarov trade.
- boilermaker100

I doubt that KD would trade for a goaltender prospect, albeit one who reportedly is on the brink of NHL employment (but is behind a proven solid starter and experienced back up).


Yes KD would choose to see how his own players develop and whether they can take a job away from an incumbent Mrzak is the man next season and in the following seasons Comesso would have to prove his worthiness. Pure conjecture if KD a few years down the road wants or could afford to dress an elite goaltender- elite is what Askarov might ascend to - good is what Mrzak is and what I think Comesso could possibly turn into

What is somewhat intriguing beyond the above, is whether any dmen prospects lurking as tweeners for us could suddenly be thrust into a playoff role then be in a position to be offer sheet like Broberg. Could happen but we will watch kids filter in and not yet put the cart in front of the horse. It is just very encouraging the state of our farm system and drafting going forward

I doubt that KD would trade for a goaltender prospect, albeit one who reportedly is on the brink of NHL employment (but is behind a proven solid starter and experienced back up).


Yes KD would choose to see how his own players develop and whether they can take a job away from an incumbent Mrzak is the man next season and in the following seasons Comesso would have to prove his worthiness. Pure conjecture if KD a few years down the road wants or could afford to dress an elite goaltender- elite is what Askarov might ascend to - good is what Mrzak is and what I think Comesso could possibly turn into

What is somewhat intriguing beyond the above, is whether any dmen prospects lurking as tweeners for us could suddenly be thrust into a playoff role then be in a position to be offer sheet like Broberg. Could happen but we will watch kids filter in and not yet put the cart in front of the horse. It is just very encouraging the state of our farm system and drafting going forward
- jhawk59

First, I don't think KD would let it get that far (especially considering the ordeal EDM just went through). Second, if that was the case, I think he takes the pick and lets the player walk. That's the benefit of having a deep prospect pool.

The deep dish pizza gets us all, Chunk!
- mohel

Damn. I didn't even consider he just got fat.

I doubt that KD would trade for a goaltender prospect, albeit one who reportedly is on the brink of NHL employment (but is behind a proven solid starter and experienced back up).


Yes KD would choose to see how his own players develop and whether they can take a job away from an incumbent Mrzak is the man next season and in the following seasons Comesso would have to prove his worthiness. Pure conjecture if KD a few years down the road wants or could afford to dress an elite goaltender- elite is what Askarov might ascend to - good is what Mrzak is and what I think Comesso could possibly turn into

What is somewhat intriguing beyond the above, is whether any dmen prospects lurking as tweeners for us could suddenly be thrust into a playoff role then be in a position to be offer sheet like Broberg. Could happen but we will watch kids filter in and not yet put the cart in front of the horse. It is just very encouraging the state of our farm system and drafting going forward
- jhawk59

Makes me wonder if anyone had thoughts of giving Vlasic an offer sheet this year, and if that's why they got the contract done pretty early.

Makes me wonder if anyone had thoughts of giving Vlasic an offer sheet this year, and if that's why they got the contract done pretty early.
- totem

I think going forward will most likely go this route trying to lock young talent long term to avoid offer sheets or otherwise. My guess Hawks try and lock up Bedard next offseason 8 years 10 to 12 million per year. Or go the route of 6 years x 8 per year.

Makes me wonder if anyone had thoughts of giving Vlasic an offer sheet this year, and if that's why they got the contract done pretty early.
- totem

Probably not since the Hawks don't have any cap issues.

The Oilers are a bit different because they're up against the cap and have difficult decisions to make. If they match and are wrong about upside then they're screwed.

If the Hawks matched and were wrong then it's not as big of a deal since it's only money and not a factor yet and if he ends up being good then maybe he makes a little more on his next extension.

I think going forward will most likely go this route trying to lock young talent long term to avoid offer sheets or otherwise. My guess Hawks try and lock up Bedard next offseason 8 years 10 to 12 million per year. Or go the route of 6 years x 8 per year.
- Scott1977

Bedard may go the Mathews route signing shorter contracts more frequently. Each contract will have a higher AAV. For example sign a 4 year contract at age 21 for 10M, next one for 4 years at age 25 for 14M, then at age 29 for 4 years, then at age 33 for 4 years. That's what I would advise.

Bedard may go the Mathews route signing shorter contracts more frequently. Each contract will have a higher AAV. For example sign a 4 year contract at age 21 for 10M, next one for 4 years at age 25 for 14M, then at age 29 for 4 years, then at age 33 for 4 years. That's what I would advise.
- boilermaker100

That could be another way with cap supposedly going up each year that might be trend that young players take.

Honestly how many of us reading and or responding on hockeybuzz knew that Emberton is an upgrade over Ceci?

He will work out better than Ceci in his role with Edmonton, according to Edmonton hockeybuzz writer (pretty sure that is where I gleaned that opinion)

Now just for fun what recent or new NHL centers would work best as a one and two lines punch (plural) if you could insert anyone in a Bedard + ______?
Celebrini, w Smith, someone else?

Honestly how many of us reading and or responding on hockeybuzz knew that Emberton is an upgrade over Ceci?

He will work out better than Ceci in his role with Edmonton, according to Edmonton hockeybuzz writer (pretty sure that is where I gleaned that opinion)

Now just for fun what recent or new NHL centers would work best as a one and two lines punch (plural) if you could insert anyone in a Bedard + ______?
Celebrini, w Smith, someone else?
- jhawk59

Honestly Ceci was a real weakspot for the Oilers D last year. Good for them that they jettisoned him.

Matthew Beniers, Seattle center signs for 7 x 7.1M. He burned the 1st year of his ELC coming out of Michigan playing 10 games with 3G and 6A. He then had 57 points in the second season before "slumping" with 37 points last season.

Matthew Beniers, Seattle center signs for 7 x 7.1M. He burned the 1st year of his ELC coming out of Michigan playing 10 games with 3G and 6A. He then had 57 points in the second season before "slumping" with 37 points last season.
- boilermaker100

#2 overall draft choice. Kinda gives an idea what the next Bedard contract will look like.

I know most here don't like Nashville, but does anyone else find it kind of poetic that the Preds not only stole Stamkos but also have Tampa's first and second round picks next year?

Matthew Beniers, Seattle center signs for 7 x 7.1M. He burned the 1st year of his ELC coming out of Michigan playing 10 games with 3G and 6A. He then had 57 points in the second season before "slumping" with 37 points last season.
- boilermaker100

37 points. That's Nick Foligno level production!!