I'd love to see a breakdown of how the cap ceiling teams expect to get to 60 cap.

Or man even crazier, if revenues go down... Less than 60
- Thesource

As a Leaf fan, the last lockout just devastated the organization. Too old, no prospects and couldnt spend their way to competitiveness. The same may happen to other teams, who knows, but most should find a way through it. Like Boston who already has a young core, with very good prospects coming through the ranks. You've seen how long Toronto has suffered making this transition, I wouldnt be shocked if that happened to another team this time around.

Pretty simple. Yakopov and the Oilers first (10-15) for #1 overall.
It's a high price, but it will pay off massively in a few years.
- clarkysduster

Its not that simple until you know for sure where they will be picking. They would be better off not making the trade if that pick falls somewhere between 1-8 in a draft this deep. Keep the pick, draft a good young player like Barkov, Monohan or Drouin and deal Yakupov for a solid stud dman.

Point is, the Oilers have a lot of options at their disposal, with a bright future. After landing Schultz, they arent as desperate to over pay for a Dman.

Agreed. Tambellini is starting to look brilliant to me, and that's scary. This team is going to be in an amazing position in 2013/2014 and beyond.
- Maxbone

How is Tambellini brilliant? He had three first overall picks and Schultz chose to go there, every team in the league wanted Schultz and after his LeBron James special he picked the Oil. So after RNH, Yakupov, Hall and Schultz that's when you get into what Tambellini has done, which isn't much save for Ebs.

How is Tambellini brilliant? He had three first overall picks and Schultz chose to go there, every team in the league wanted Schultz and after his LeBron James special he picked the Oil. So after RNH, Yakupov, Hall and Schultz that's when you get into what Tambellini has done, which isn't much save for Ebs.
- trolleytracks

Im going to have to agree with this. What Tambs has done for the team and their fans is great and promising, but calling it brilliant is a far reach. Nothing brilliant about being rewarded for losing, but his patience to not rush the team has been great for the organization.

As a Leaf fan, the last lockout just devastated the organization. Too old, no prospects and couldnt spend their way to competitiveness. The same may happen to other teams, who knows, but most should find a way through it. Like Boston who already has a young core, with very good prospects coming through the ranks. You've seen how long Toronto has suffered making this transition, I wouldnt be shocked if that happened to another team this time around.
- systemtool

Yes the salary cap caused issues for teams. May do the same this time. It just seems like from what I've been reading half the teams in the league will be looking to dump salaries to get under the cap. The hemsky's boumeester's of the league, not bad players just overpaid. Are there enough teams available to take these players.

Yes the salary cap caused issues for teams. May do the same this time. It just seems like from what I've been reading half the teams in the league will be looking to dump salaries to get under the cap. The hemsky's boumeester's of the league, not bad players just overpaid. Are there enough teams available to take these players.
- Thesource

There should be. Teams like Columbus could sure use them..

I dunno about Lander, Paajarvi, Harikainen and Teubert. Shouldn't they go with players with a bit more experience for another year or two?

How is Tambellini brilliant? He had three first overall picks and Schultz chose to go there, every team in the league wanted Schultz and after his LeBron James special he picked the Oil. So after RNH, Yakupov, Hall and Schultz that's when you get into what Tambellini has done, which isn't much save for Ebs.
- trolleytracks

Patience = Brilliance

Richard Cloutier: Making the Oilers Fit Under the Cap in 2013/2014
- Maxbone

Great blog, RC... Hard to argue with any of that.

Im going to have to agree with this. What Tambs has done for the team and their fans is great and promising, but calling it brilliant is a far reach. Nothing brilliant about being rewarded for losing, but his patience to not rush the team has been great for the organization.
- systemtool

It's too bad that Brian Burke is too dumb to figure out how to get rewarded for losing.

They should be ok for two years . The problem comes when Yak Klefblom PVR Schultz RNH Smid and Theo want a raise .

Oilers will be in tough keeping everyone happy. Chances of aquiring UFAs will be slim. Too much home grown talent (not a bad thing)
- VANTEL

As in Peckham?

I could see Yak being traded once we see what he can do in the NHL to bring in multiple assests to help round out the team for a championship. He isnt gonna want to play 2nd fiddle to the rest of the guys.
- poisondhearts37

Definitely a possibility.

I still think Hemsky is tradeable. Wont be to valuable unless he has a good year and stays healthy. Gagner is def tradeable and I think EDM will hold onto him as long as poss due to him getting better every year. His value just keep increaseing.
- poisondhearts37

I'm glad someone agrees with me!

I'm glad someone agrees with me!
- laughs2907

Sam Gagner is a stud

Pretty simple. Yakopov and the Oilers first (10-15) for #1 overall.
It's a high price, but it will pay off massively in a few years.
- clarkysduster

I'd definitely do that. RNH and MacKinnon as our top two centres?

Sam Gagner is a stud
- RichardHertz

He also has the attributes necessary to be an amazing captain.

I'd definitely do that. RNH and MacKinnon as our top two centres?
- laughs2907

After watching Yakapov play yesterday, he came off as a selfish player who likes to float. Sure, he has talent, but if this is his attitude, I'm glad you guys took him. He did make one shot block late in the third, but it doesn't make up for the turnovers and leaving the zone too early, for a stretch pass. I don't even think that he's ready for the NHL yet.

He also has the attributes necessary to be an amazing captain.
- laughs2907

The Nuge will be captain.

After watching Yakapov play yesterday, he came off as a selfish player who likes to float. Sure, he has talent, but if this is his attitude, I'm glad you guys took him. He did make one shot block late in the third, but it doesn't make up for the turnovers and leaving the zone too early, for a stretch pass. I don't even think that he's ready for the NHL yet.
- PrinceLH

Meh... He definitely has talent, and he's young... He'll learn... He'll adapt. He was taken #1 for a reason. That being said, I'm definitely not against trading him if the deal is right.

The Nuge will be captain.
- RichardHertz

The Nuge is a better player (obviously), but I think Gagner would be a better captain. Maybe 7-8 years from now, the Nuge would be a good/great captain... Right now he seems too quiet. I know he's the captain of team Canada right now, but that's not the same thing

Holy knee jerk reaction after Yakupov has one 'bad' game.

Meh... He definitely has talent, and he's young... He'll learn... He'll adapt. He was taken #1 for a reason. That being said, I'm definitely not against trading him if the deal is right.
- laughs2907

Malkin was the same way when he was in the WJC.

Holy knee jerk reaction after Yakupov has one 'bad' game.
- robin_steele264

He's gonna be your meal ticket to the rest of your roster depth later. Hes gonna get you guys a few assets to round out the roster.

Malkin was the same way when he was in the WJC.
- poisondhearts37

Exactly

Exactly
- laughs2907

I remember when Malkin kept pointing at this name on the back of his jersey during the tourney. I like the bad guy approach. Malkin always produced so it didnt bug me as much.