It is! You don't buy out one of the better tenders in the league just because, other GM's just know that they can be patient and have him for free. He'll eventually get moved for what amounts to nothing, that's on Gillis for creating this mess. The guy is an arrogant d!ck, he has trouble with long term vision for the franchise. (frank)in rookie!
- LeftCoaster

You're ignoring the fact that by trading him, down the road "recapture" could potentially KILL anything this team builds in the next several years. It's not worth the risk.

WHYYY would we eventually trade him for nothing knowing that we could get massively DINGED (cap hit wise) if he decides to leave the game before this contract expires?!? THAT is asinine!

Schroeder as a center here for another year is not a bad thing. I agree he would probably do well as a 3 rd liner as Gaunce spends a year in the AHL
- VANTEL

I think the biggest issue with Schroeder is a 3C is his faceoff ability. If he improves on that, I think he'll be fine.

IF Luongo isn't bought out, it's only because Gillis is trying to save face (for that awful contract) and knows that (odds are) he won't be around to see the recapture consequences.

Can I get that deal too?
- DrChristianTroy

You're a doctor—you should be fine in the financial department...

In all seriousness, buying out Luongo is not an option. Aquilini will not do it.

Gillis said today he will be active at the draft.
- VANTEL

By active he probably means going up on stage a dozen times in the last 2 rounds.

I'd be excited if I thought you had that kind of coin
- Isles_since_6

That's how confident I am that it won't happen.

You'll have to show me where this rule is that says 3rd liners can't be skilled, especially ones that are very good defensively. Since he was drafted, Schroeder has been lauded much more for his devensive ability than his skill.

And if you have this opinion for shut-down purposes, you'll have to refresh my memory as to what line usually plays shut down duties....I seem to remember it being whatever line Kesler is on...not the third line...

And Schroeder was good defensively in the NHL, especially considering it was his rookie season.

To start the year he went something like 11 games without being on the ice for an ES goal against, and the first one was when he stepped on to the ice right before a Schneider giveaway.

He had some struggles later on, but that's to be expected of a rookie, especially considering he had a revolving door of linemates. A number of players struggled because of the line juggling.
- Fosco

There is absolutely no way Schroeder will not be the regular 3rd line center next year. If you wouldn't feel confident Schroeder taking regular faceoffs in his own zone against the top lines of every other team in the west (think Toews, Kopitar, Thornton, etc.) then he can't be the 3rd line center. It just doesn't work.

Kesler's line might be used as the "shut down" line right now, but that's because the Canucks never replaced Manny, who was their shut down center. Gillis' job this off season is to replace Manny. And it won't be with Schroeder.

That's how confident I am that it won't happen.
- Fosco

I'm equally confident that it will happen. Any other move (prior to a successful challenge of the recapture clause) is dangerously irresponsible when it comes to this franchise's future.

I'd be OK with even just one proven legit top6 forward, and then seeing whether one of Jensen, Kassian, or Schroeder can contribute enough in a top6 role.

Then MG can worry about acquiring a decent 4th line or other players in areas that require depth with the assets and cap space.
- Fosco

Kassian will contribute in a top 6 role next year with a new coach.

You're ignoring the fact that by trading him, down the road "recapture" could potentially KILL anything this team builds in the next several years. It's not worth the risk.

WHYYY would we eventually trade him for nothing knowing that we could get massively DINGED (cap hit wise) if he decides to leave the game before this contract expires?!? THAT is asinine!
- DrChristianTroy

Because this is now and that is then, I'm not convinced that would be enforced or enforceable. No good businessman is going to commit to giving away 27 million dollars for nothing! Recapture be damned!

You're ignoring the fact that by trading him, down the road "recapture" could potentially KILL anything this team builds in the next several years. It's not worth the risk.

WHYYY would we eventually trade him for nothing knowing that we could get massively DINGED (cap hit wise) if he decides to leave the game before this contract expires?!? THAT is asinine!
- DrChristianTroy

If he is traded this summer and retires with 3 years left on his contract his recapture would be $2M a year for 3 years. By that point the cap will likely be $80M+ (based on 5% annual growth).

How is that massively dinged???

I'm equally confident that it will happen. Any other move (prior to a successful challenge of the recapture clause) is dangerously irresponsible when it comes to this franchise's future.
- DrChristianTroy

I've done work for the Aquilini's—they don't like spending money.

I'm certain that cutting a cheque that large just to be rid of Luongo is not an option for Francesco, especially if there are teams willing to take him for free, which there are.

I don't think the recapture penalty will be an issue.

I can see Lou still playing in his late 30's early 40's in a backup role. By that time his actual salary will be low, and his contract might even be a bonus to a team trying to reach the floor.

Even if there is a recapture penalty, it's so far down the road that I don't think it will b a concern right now. Moving Lou will be the main concern.

IF Luongo isn't bought out, it's only because Gillis is trying to save face (for that awful contract) and knows that (odds are) he won't be around to see the recapture consequences.
- DrChristianTroy

It's not up to Gillis, it's to Aquilini...it ain't happening sorry.

Because this is now and that is then, I'm not convinced that would be enforced or enforceable. No good businessman is going to commit to giving away 27 million dollars for nothing! Recapture be damned!
- LeftCoaster

I'm a good businessman, and I'd gladly pay $1.5 million per year (which is more than covered by a combination of lower expenses & higher profits) VS taking a chance that my business will be ruined by an unfair penalty in a few years.

If he is traded this summer and retires with 3 years left on his contract his recapture would be $2M a year for 3 years. By that point the cap will likely be $80M+ (based on 5% annual growth).

How is that massively dinged???
- KB3Point0

Yeah, and IF he retires with 1 year left, we're dinged $7+ million. That would kill any team that spends to the cap limit.

Not to mention that your assumption of where the cap will be by then is just that - an assumption.

Kassian will contribute in a top 6 role next year with a new coach.
- KB3Point0

Agreed. He likely would have contributed more this year if he had been used properly.

Kassian will contribute in a top 6 role next year with a new coach.
- KB3Point0

He may have a top 6 role, but so did Taylor Pyatt. His contibution is what matters not where he plays, I'd be happy with him on the 4th line if he did the things that a great 4th liner does (Fight and win, skate hard, hit, and never give the (frank) up)

I'm a good businessman, and I'd gladly pay $1.5 million per year (which is more than covered by a combination of lower expenses & higher profits) VS taking a chance that my business will be ruined by an unfair penalty in a few years.
- DrChristianTroy

The recapture is not real dollars, the 27 million is. I'm sure you can see that?

Kassian will contribute in a top 6 role next year with a new coach.
- KB3Point0

The recapture is not real dollars, the 27 million is. I'm sure you can see that?
- LeftCoaster

The recapture is real dollars in that my team/business risking that level of sabotage could trigger an unnecessary re-tool/re-build costing me untold millions AND success. I'd rather mortgage the damage and avoid that risk!

Agreed. He likely would have contributed more this year if he had been used properly.
- Fosco

Yes our dumbass coach took a guy who had 5 goals in 6 games and moved him off the line . Only AV

The recapture is real dollars in that my team/business risking that level of sabotage could trigger an unnecessary re-tool/re-build costing me untold millions AND success. I'd rather mortgage the damage and avoid that risk!
- DrChristianTroy

The buy outs were put into the new cba as insurance against the recapture. I still think the recapture may not be enforceable, but once the first one gets passed the precident will be set and we could be screwed. We could be on the verge of competeing for the cup and have to trade away big parts of our team to pay for the penalty, way to much risk.

Yeah, and IF he retires with 1 year left, we're dinged $7+ million. That would kill any team that spends to the cap limit.

Not to mention that your assumption of where the cap will be by then is just that - an assumption.
- DrChristianTroy

The odds are very low that he will retire with 1 year remaining on his contract. The odds greatly favour him retiring earlier than that or just holding off for one additional year. Why would the Aquilinis gamble such a large amount of buyout money on something that has such a low probability? If you're actually such a good businessman you would understand that.

The recapture is not real dollars, the 27 million is. I'm sure you can see that?
- LeftCoaster

let's try this as an example

you're moving in a week, and don't have any way to move that grand piano, but it has to be gone so up on craigslist it goes. After 2 days, you lower your ridiculous asking pricing in half, because you know it has to go and you're running out of time, but damnit, you spent a lot on it and need to get something back. It's a really nice piano.

Now it's been another 2 days, and you've had a couple nibbles but no one has come anywhere near your asking price. Trouble is now too, there are other pianos on craigslist, maybe not as nice, but way cheaper than what you've been asking. So you lower the price again, now it's free, but someone's got to come and pick it up. Two more days and there's no takers. You're going to get bent over if it's not gone tomorrow when you move and no one's taken it for free, because they don't have a truck or they don't have the time to come and get it.

So what do you do? Do you call the scrap guys to come take it away? Costs you money but puts an end to the problem. No time left to wait any longer. Shame you had to scrap such a nice piano. Maybe if you'd started at a lower price earlier you might have had a better shot of moving it. Live and learn.

He may have a top 6 role, but so did Taylor Pyatt. His contibution is what matters not where he plays, I'd be happy with him on the 4th line if he did the things that a great 4th liner does (Fight and win, skate hard, hit, and never give the (frank) up)
- A_SteamingLombardi

I didn't say he'd have a top 6 role, I said he would contribute in the top 6.