We can only hope with the added cash we are able to do something next year...or at the trade deadline if we are within a stone's throw of the playoffs.

The only thing that matters to me now is getting in the playoffs, even the 8 spot whatever, just to avoid having a lottery pick. Maybe we'll be able to add something via trade.

If I had to just say the thing that likely bothers everyone the most, it's gotta be the loss of the draft pick right? This guy held us hostage, got his 100M contract and didn't really care what it cost the team. Which is fine, as it was also NJ's decision to make the offer. But then he ups and leaves? Really? I hope he never plays in the NHL again. I know I would be a lot less upset if not for the loss of this draft choice.

And I get it, it's big money. But isn't there anything to be said for playing in the most competitive league in the world? I don't want any part of a big-name Russian player again ever. The risk-reward is too high even if they play in the league let alone if they decide on a whim they don't want to be here anymore. Guys like Radulov barely even scratched the surface of their talent when they were here. And you could find numerous cases of Russian players who never played up to their talent level in the NHL. The lower profile guys like Zubrus, Brylin and Zelepukin are different. They adjusted just fine to a North American style of play and clearly value being here. But the high-profile guys seem to have a quality about them similar to some of these higher-tier gifted NFL wide receivers, probably because they are treated like God's gift from a young age back home. A selfishness like they are above it all. And you never know what you are getting out of them from one year to the next in terms of statistical performance either. The Kostitsyns. Nikita Filatov. Even Gaborik plays like a God one year and a third liner the next. Ovechkin even has had his moments where he is in and out of the game.No thanks. Never again. I bet Lou feels the same way.
- BarryB1124

Doesn't even belong in the conversation. They didn't leave their teams, say they didn't want to leave their homeland, comeback and leave once the taxes were taken out of their check. Is Gaborik a bit of an enigma, yes. Not because he's a quitter, his body fails him. Is he the toughest guy around, certainly not. But he's never quit.

Oh poop I thought you didn't...my bad.
- MannySilvers

Ok course I knew that, you and had the conversation about tolling the contract to ban him from Olympic play.

Doesn't even belong in the conversation. They didn't leave their teams, say they didn't want to leave their homeland, comeback and leave once the taxes were taken out of their check. Is Gaborik a bit of an enigma, yes. Not because he's a quitter, his body fails him. Is he the toughest guy around, certainly not. But he's never quit.
- tomburton99

tax rate in russia is actually 13%.

but maybe they get paid off the books? shady poop goes on in the mother country....

Doesn't even belong in the conversation. They didn't leave their teams, say they didn't want to leave their homeland, comeback and leave once the taxes were taken out of their check. Is Gaborik a bit of an enigma, yes. Not because he's a quitter, his body fails him. Is he the toughest guy around, certainly not. But he's never quit.
- tomburton99

LOL. Yeah you're right. He has the occasional down year but it's not radical and his down years can certainly be tied to injury. Not to mention he's Czech not Russian.

Edited my post.

tax rate in russia is actually 13%.

but maybe they get paid off the books? shady poop goes on in the mother country....
- rangerdanger94

Mafia tax rate for the olympics?

tax rate in russia is actually 13%.

but maybe they get paid off the books? shady poop goes on in the mother country....
- rangerdanger94

Each KHL franchise get's one contract they can have on their roster and not have it count against the Cap. Lokomitv offered Bobrovsky a deal worth close to 10 million AAV in which it would not have counted against the cap, so it goes untaxed. I'm SKA St. Petersburg will do the same thing.

suuure suuuure
- rangerdanger94

This is totally irrelevant but I do really think the Devils are in the playoffs last year without the Brodeur and Kovy injuries.

But none of that maters now.

This is totally irrelevant but I do really think the Devils are in the playoffs last year without the Brodeur and Kovy injuries.

But none of that maters now.
- MannySilvers

They are certainly better than 21st overall if healthy.

We didn't have Clowe and Ryder last year and Clarkson basically didn't score in the second half of the season. We'll certainly be better than the horrible version we saw of the team when Kovultraitor went down, especially on the PP. Whether that will be enough to get in the playoffs I have no clue.

We didn't have Clowe and Ryder last year and Clarkson basically didn't score in the second half of the season. We'll certainly be better than the horrible version we saw of the team when Kovultraitor went down, especially on the PP. Whether that will be enough to get in the playoffs I have no clue.
- BarryB1124

Maybe Tedenby and Josefson finally arrive?

Maybe Tedenby and Josefson finally arrive?


- MannySilvers

LETS HOPE!!!

Let's hope so. Each one has the skills to be a player. Swedish players generally assimilate to North American play fairly quick and they've had developmental time under their belts now.

Guys why are we even worried. Rod Pelley > Kovalchuk.

LOL. Yeah you're right. He has the occasional down year but it's not radical and his down years can certainly be tied to injury. Not to mention he's Czech not Russian.

Edited my post.
- BarryB1124

He's actually Slovakian.......

I'm glad other people are here to tell us how much we suck. yesss.

He's actually Slovakian.......
- bobert836

Oh right.

I'm glad other people are here to tell us how much we suck. yesss.
- MrToast

This is truly a special day.

I'm glad other people are here to tell us how much we suck. yesss.
- MrToast

Why the series of tubes known as the internets exists.

Guys why are we even worried. Rod Pelley > Kovalchuk.
- MannySilvers

this

this
- shvingter88

I knew you'd appreciate that.

tax rate in russia is actually 13%.

but maybe they get paid off the books? shady poop goes on in the mother country....
- rangerdanger94

The money is in escrow... probably sitting in a tax free Cayman bank account.

I knew you'd appreciate that.
- MannySilvers

I'm so (frank)ing drunk

We seriously couldn't have won two more games in 2012?

This whole thing would be much easier to swallow...

Just got home from a long ass day of work and come to this... Just great. Im at a loss here. Anybody want a vintage Kovy jersey? or Parise? (frank)

We can only hope with the added cash we are able to do something next year...or at the trade deadline if we are within a stone's throw of the playoffs.

The only thing that matters to me now is getting in the playoffs, even the 8 spot whatever, just to avoid having a lottery pick. Maybe we'll be able to add something via trade.

If I had to just say the thing that likely bothers everyone the most, it's gotta be the loss of the draft pick right? This guy held us hostage, got his 100M contract and didn't really care what it cost the team. Which is fine, as it was also NJ's decision to make the offer. But then he ups and leaves? Really? I hope he never plays in the NHL again. I know I would be a lot less upset if not for the loss of this draft choice.

And I get it, it's big money. But isn't there anything to be said for playing in the most competitive league in the world? I don't want any part of a big-name Russian player again ever. The risk-reward is too high even if they play in the league let alone if they decide on a whim they don't want to be here anymore. Guys like Radulov barely even scratched the surface of their talent when they were here. And you could find numerous cases of Russian players who never played up to their talent level in the NHL. The lower profile guys like Zubrus, Brylin and Zelepukin are different. They adjusted just fine to a North American style of play and clearly value being here. But the high-profile guys seem to have a quality about them similar to some of these higher-tier gifted NFL wide receivers, probably because they are treated like God's gift from a young age back home. A selfishness like they are above it all. And you never know what you are getting out of them from one year to the next in terms of statistical performance either. The Kostitsyns. Nikita Filatov. Ovechkin even has had his moments where he is in and out of the game. No thanks. Never again. I bet Lou feels the same way.
- BarryB1124

Really no such thing as the "8th" spot anymore..