Playmaking/goal scoring upgrade on Raymond in the top 6.
- DrChristianTroy

yeah like he helped the Wild ... who also need goal scoring...........

You missed the buyout comment, which might apply to Ballard and Booth. Luongo will have to be either traded for a draft pick(s) or kept (and Schneider traded).
- AlexF

I saw the buyout comment. Booth and Ballard may be bought out. Lou I have a hard time seeing Aquilini giving Gillis the green light to do it. And as for trading Schnieder and keeping Lou? I think everyone saw from Lou's comments, Gillis's comments and the fact that Lou is selling his house all point to him not being there next year. I don't see anyone being generous enough to take on that contract for picks alone.

And as for the Market being established? It has been. ROR got a big over payment. Clowe, Clarkson, Horton types will all get an over payment.

There is currently an extremely low market for guys that are over paid, with big contracts. There are one or two of these types on every team. And thinking they will be traded without taking anything back is delusional IMO.

Hemsky, Horcoff? No one is taking them. They get bought out or they play for the Oilers. Booth, Ballard? If they don't get bought out, they play for the Nucks next year. Just my opinion.

Fair enough, that's your opinion. I think Lu is good enough at 5.3m per to net a 7th rounder. That's my opinion.
- AlexF

Another team if they have space and could get him for a 7th would be a good deal for both. But there are limited markets that can afford him and need him. I could see NYI giving Vancouver a 7th for Lou. Not sure I see any others? Maybe Colorado? Not sure he would go there?

yeah like he helped the Wild ... who also need goal scoring...........
- SMP8719

Here he'd be a complimentary piece. There he was supposed to be a primary piece. Big difference.

I saw the buyout comment. Booth and Ballard may be bought out. Lou I have a hard time seeing Aquilini giving Gillis the green light to do it. And as for trading Schnieder and keeping Lou? I think everyone saw from Lou's comments, Gillis's comments and the fact that Lou is selling his house all point to him not being there next year. I don't see anyone being generous enough to take on that contract for picks alone.

And as for the Market being established? It has been. ROR got a big over payment. Clowe, Clarkson, Horton types will all get an over payment.

There is currently an extremely low market for guys that are over paid, with big contracts. There are one or two of these types on every team. And thinking they will be traded without taking anything back is delusional IMO.

Hemsky, Horcoff? No one is taking them. They get bought out or they play for the Oilers. Booth, Ballard? If they don't get bought out, they play for the Nucks next year. Just my opinion.
- Iggysbff

Hey! We could easily get something back in a trade for Hemsky...


...it would just have to be Keith Ballard

Hey! We could easily get something back in a trade for Hemsky...


...it would just have to be Keith Ballard

- Morris

That's my whole point!

Playmaking/goal scoring upgrade on Raymond in the top 6.
- DrChristianTroy

You also get older , slower , and end up with close to the same production... Seems like the opposite of what gillis wants

Hey! We could easily get something back in a trade for Hemsky...


...it would just have to be Keith Ballard

- Morris

Even when healthy, Hemsky's production has gone to crap. A few years ago, if he were healthy at the trade deadline, he probably could have gotten something at the deadline. What, I don't know, but something. Someone would have taken a chance that he stay healthy for the last 15 games, and into the playoffs. Now, he's a buyout or he plays for the Oilers, it's true.

Horcoff, not going anywhere. That said, he'd be a decent guy to re-sign for a third of his current salary.

Fair enough, that's your opinion. I think Lu is good enough at 5.3m per to net a 7th rounder. That's my opinion.
- AlexF

The problem isn't his cap hit. It's the length. Because of the structure of the deal, if he retires early you're screwed with a big cap hit. And that's a risk most teams won't be willing to take even if he's given to them for a conditional 7th that never exchanges hands. Same reason why Bryz (even if he put together a stellar season) was immovable, because of that cap recapture penalty or whatever its called. IMO, it's buyout or staying for both goalies.

Even when healthy, Hemsky's production has gone to crap. A few years ago, if he were healthy at the trade deadline, he probably could have gotten something at the deadline. What, I don't know, but something. Someone would have taken a chance that he stay healthy for the last 15 games, and into the playoffs. Now, he's a buyout or he plays for the Oilers, it's true.

Horcoff, not going anywhere. That said, he'd be a decent guy to re-sign for a third of his current salary.
- Dirte

Horcoff is the perfect example of how the NHL could benefit from contract restructuring. He's a guy that wants to be here until he retires and the Oilers want to keep him.

My guess with Horcoff is that he'll play out this contract and then re-sign a "favour" contract that sees him playing the fourth line for about a million per for the rest of his days.

Hemsky may or may not flourish for another team. I think he has to go though. We're not going to be able to put him in a position to flourish though (2nd line RW with ample PP time). Maybe he is in a realm where we shop him around first for other buyout candidates who play positions we could use help, then for any grade pick, then either buy him out or ride him out.

Horcoff is the perfect example of how the NHL could benefit from contract restructuring. He's a guy that wants to be here until he retires and the Oilers want to keep him.

My guess with Horcoff is that he'll play out this contract and then re-sign a "favour" contract that sees him playing the fourth line for about a million per for the rest of his days.

Hemsky may or may not flourish for another team. I think he has to go though. We're not going to be able to put him in a position to flourish though (2nd line RW with ample PP time). Maybe he is in a realm where we shop him around first for other buyout candidates who play positions we could use help, then for any grade pick, then either buy him out or ride him out.
- Morris

We all know the problem with contract re-structuring. It opens the door to salary cap abuses.

Horcoff is the perfect example of how the NHL could benefit from contract restructuring. He's a guy that wants to be here until he retires and the Oilers want to keep him.

My guess with Horcoff is that he'll play out this contract and then re-sign a "favour" contract that sees him playing the fourth line for about a million per for the rest of his days.

Hemsky may or may not flourish for another team. I think he has to go though. We're not going to be able to put him in a position to flourish though (2nd line RW with ample PP time). Maybe he is in a realm where we shop him around first for other buyout candidates who play positions we could use help, then for any grade pick, then either buy him out or ride him out.
- Morris

This league is so restrictive I can't help but laugh every time I get into it. To think in any industry that a player is forced to stick to a contract even if both parties would like it null and void is a crazy concept. It's impossible to see how a player will continue to perform in several years' time and if he goes down to LTIR you're essentially condemning a team's finances from improving simply because they were unlucky.

Personally I think a great start would be if contracts were guaranteed by the team that signed them, as opposed to the league. In that circumstance a team could trade a Luongo or Hemsky who could then sign a new contract with their new team rather than inheriting their previous one.

We all know the problem with contract re-structuring. It opens the door to salary cap abuses.
- Dirte

Indeed, the NFL's "restructure or we'll cut you" initiative and loopy signing bonus stuff is pretty ruthless. I really don't know whether contract restructuring is inherently untenable, or just tough to implement on a league that's not great at closing loopholes to begin with (Luongo/Kovy deals, J. Schultz).

I will say that Horcoff would probably rather play for the Oilers for less than get bought out and Luongo's deal obviously weighs on his conscience. Money isn't everything for some of these guys.

Sense i'm an oilers fan i'll focus on the trade you offered the oilers. Thats a big hell no. Edmonton has much the same problem as the nucks, their D is to souft outside of smid and fistric. Edler will probably not become a franchise player unles he learns to use his size and gets mean. That being the case there is no way you get MPS and our first for him. Thats the move that'll get MacT off to a horrible start.

Because he's absolutely (frank)ing useless at creating space, distributing, and staying healthy in that role. I'm willing to lose 5 (more) out of every 100 faceoffs if it means there's a guy in that role who makes his top 6 calibre wingers a threat to score 5 on 5. Kesler doesn't. He does a better job of shutting down his own line mates than he does shutting down his defensive assignment.
- DrChristianTroy

Bring in Simmonds , Kes will be traded

Alex Edler, Roberto Luongo, Jordan Schroeder and a 2nd

Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and Ilya Bryzgalov

Now thats interesting

Alex Edler, Roberto Luongo, Jordan Schroeder and a 2nd

Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and Ilya Bryzgalov

Now thats interesting
- The_Kuze

Bryz has less value than Lu and therefore will be even harder to move. Not sure how that helps us.

After watching phaneuf and edler both play this year I have an honest question :
Dion >edler
Dion Dion=edler

Letang should get paid but he might take less to play in his situation
- Redmile247

Maaaaannn this is a tough one. Depends on what kind of team you want. If its finesse you go with Edler. If its brawn you go with Phaneuf. Neither of them should be leaders IMO, and 6.5 is too much dough for Dion.

I think Edler can still mature into a better player, so Ill pick him; but both of them have their +-

Bring in Simmonds , Kes will be traded
- VANTEL

Wanna bet? If he gets traded then you might as well blow it all up IMO, injuries or not, he's the lone warrior on this team in big time games and this core is not gonna win poop without him unless the new coach is a miracle worker, I guarantee it.


You can agree to disagree since that's just my personal opinion, but IMO this team needs more guys that will go all out, not less.

This league is so restrictive I can't help but laugh every time I get into it. To think in any industry that a player is forced to stick to a contract even if both parties would like it null and void is a crazy concept. It's impossible to see how a player will continue to perform in several years' time and if he goes down to LTIR you're essentially condemning a team's finances from improving simply because they were unlucky.

Personally I think a great start would be if contracts were guaranteed by the team that signed them, as opposed to the league. In that circumstance a team could trade a Luongo or Hemsky who could then sign a new contract with their new team rather than inheriting their previous one.
- AlexF

Even though the Canucks and Luongo hate the contract the PA loves it and would never allow it to be voided. That would open the door to non-guaranteed contracts and there is no way the PA would agree to that. Even with that said something like that would have to written into the next CBA to allow contracts to be voided or restructured or a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) would have to be signed ammending the current CBA. In both cases the League and the PA would both have to sign off on it. Very unlikely.

Maaaaannn this is a tough one. Depends on what kind of team you want. If its finesse you go with Edler. If its brawn you go with Phaneuf. Neither of them should be leaders IMO, and 6.5 is too much dough for Dion.

I think Edler can still mature into a better player, so Ill pick him; but both of them have their +-
- Gullzy

I'd take Phaneuf if both were at equal cap hits, but I'll take Edler at 1.5 million less for sure.

Even though the Canucks and Luongo hate the contract the PA loves it and would never allow it to be voided. That would open the door to non-guaranteed contracts and there is no way the PA would agree to that. Even with that said something like that would have to written into the next CBA to allow contracts to be voided or restructured or a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) would have to be signed ammending the current CBA. In both cases the League and the PA would both have to sign off on it. Very unlikely.
- fiveandagame

It's a little easier for Luongo to hate the contract now that he already got a poop load of front loaded money from the first few years of it . I believe that I read somewhere that if both the team and Luongo really wanted to cancel the contract that it could be done legally(through court I believe).

Here he'd be a complimentary piece. There he was supposed to be a primary piece. Big difference.
- DrChristianTroy

Yeah, I'd definitely take him as a secondary scorer on a good short term deal. It's a lot easier to live with his flaws if he's scoring 20+ for you as a secondary/complementary player with a decent contract.

It's a little easier for Luongo to hate the contract now that he already got a poop load of front loaded money from the first few years of it . I believe that I read somewhere that if both the team and Luongo really wanted to cancel the contract that it could be done legally(through court I believe).
- Nucker101

That would be interesting and could open the door ot major CBA contravention. I wonder it there would still be a cap hit or if there would be cap implications like a buy-out?

Another team if they have space and could get him for a 7th would be a good deal for both. But there are limited markets that can afford him and need him. I could see NYI giving Vancouver a 7th for Lou. Not sure I see any others? Maybe Colorado? Not sure he would go there?
- Iggysbff

I don't think Luongo can really pick and choose at this point if he wants to start unless his plan is to basically force a buyout so that he can play in Florida. He would quickly go from becoming the good guy to the villain again.


I agree that the Isles make a lot of sense, plus moving to Brooklyn and making the playoffs makes them more intriguing than a year ago. The advanced stats also point to them being a pretty good team, if only they had decent or good goaltending, they'd be almost a lock for the playoffs again next year and capable of actually doing some damage in the post-season. Who knows though, if I'm Garth Snow I'd wait and see if someone like Niklas Backstrom becomes a free agent first, because I'd much rather sign him then trade anything for Luongo.