Hey, is Stepan signed?
- Talkshowhost

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?
- jimbro83

ITs called respect.

For those that suggest it was a crazy, overpayment to offer RNH 7 years @ $6 million per, there are 2 things to keep in mind:

1) Offering him less sends an implicit message that he is a less valued player to the team then Hall or Eberle

2) For it to be a crazy contract offer should suggest that it is an offer that other teams would not be willing to make, and I am certain there are plenty of teams that would offer RNH $6 MILL + if given the opportunity!
- JasonHarrison

This is the problem that Tambo setup for us. It would've been one thing to lock Hall up that early, but giving eberle and early contract is screwing us going forward. Can't give Eberle the money and not RNH/Yak. Probably could get away giving Hall the money and then making everyone else a bit less, but that isn't an option anymore.

why don't the Oilers try a bridge contract one time?
- jimbro83

So they can pay more later?

ok, how about he only scored quatro goals last year?
- jimbro83

i'm glad goals scored is the stat we're using to properly analyze a player defined as two-way playmaker.

ok, how about he only scored quatro goals last year?
- jimbro83

The contract is clearly based on what he can do in the future and what potential he has. Pointing out he only scored four goals last year is pointless because it's not relevant to the true purpose of the contract.

That's not a fair comparison. If you told me I could offer sheet RNH and get him for 6 mil I would do it because in those cases it usually takes a mammoth offer of biblical proportions to pry away an RFA. The current scenario is different since RNH is property of the oilers for another 5 years?
- Sabresfan-365

Sabres are pretty thin down the middle. You're saying if the Sabres had RNH at $6m it would be too much money?

This is the problem that Tambo setup for us. It would've been one thing to lock Hall up that early, but giving eberle and early contract is screwing us going forward. Can't give Eberle the money and not RNH/Yak. Probably could get away giving Hall the money and then making everyone else a bit less, but that isn't an option anymore.
- Lahey

But the good news is that Yak is capped.

Joensuu looked terrific last night, as did Smyth, it was nice to see. Marincin while being a part of two goals is a complete disaster in our own end. His head being lodged in his own ass was the reason the Canucks scored their only goal; he has a real long way to go yet.
- kingbrehm

I was at the game last night and as an Isles fan, had an interest in paying attention to Joensuu. I thought he played reasonably well for a bottom six forward. I would laugh at the use of "terrific" to describe his play. He's slow, missed a lot of hits due to lack of footspeed but was trying and managed to score.

Sadly, that's his ceiling for you and it won't happen often.

He's a bottom six and not a great one, don't expect much. If that was terrific for you then your expectations are much lower than mine, or we have a different definition of the word.


***oh, and JT's contract is still the best value in the entire league.

RNH making more after 102 games? Uhhh, no

The contract is clearly based on what he can do in the future and what potential he has. Pointing out he only scored four goals last year is pointless because it's not relevant to the true purpose of the contract.
- Sabresfan-365

ya think?

Like how the slender Sedin twins are now retired after playing in so many gladiator-themed playoff games? Come on.
- Jack-artist

It's one thing to be small, another to be injury prone.
Henrik is second amongst current NHL players when it comes to the Iron man streak, with the exception of Daniel's head-shot from Keith he was decent in terms of health consistency.

The Nuge on the other hand as already demonstrated his inability to stay healthy in a meager 102 game stint. Furthermore the Sedin's don't utilize a speed game in the same manner has Nuge does, thus in the playoffs, when things get nasty i'd assume things would get worse for the Nuge as opposed to better (regular season).

ok, how about he only scored quatro goals last year?
- jimbro83

If that's how you're gonna play it, there's no reason to debate anything with you. I'll just let RNH's play these coming seasons speak for itself. I'm confident in his abilities and evidently so are MacT and Co.

Sabres are pretty thin down the middle. You're saying if the Sabres had RNH at $6m it would be too much money?
- kingbrehm

As a sabres fan, I'd consider a bridge deal before shelling out that kind of money, see Myers.

As I said before, if there was ever a young player to take a huge gamble on, a former 1st overall pick is probably your best bet.

I love the trolling by other teams' fans. It's a pretty fair contract, granted they are obviously banking on him continuing his development, as he should, and not regressing like a Daigle. And, if he hits anywhere near his potential, 6 mil/yr is going to be a ridiculous steal. Much like the Landeskog deal.

ya think?
- jimbro83

You're the one pointing out what he did in the past...

i'm glad goals scored is the stat we're using to properly analyze a player defined as two-way playmaker.
- Jack-artist

You're right, what do goals have anything to do with contracts. 4 goals, 100 goals, no goals.... Who cares?! Goals should have no baring as to how much a number 1 centre gets paid.

I was at the game last night and as an Isles fan, had an interest in paying attention to Joensuu. I thought he played reasonably well for a bottom six forward. I would laugh at the use of "terrific" to describe his play. He's slow, missed a lot of hits due to lack of footspeed but was trying and managed to score.

Sadly, that's his ceiling for you and it won't happen often.

He's a bottom six and not a great one, don't expect much. If that was terrific for you then your expectations are much lower than mine, or we have a different definition of the word.


***oh, and JT's contract is still the best value in the entire league.

RNH making more after 102 games? Uhhh, no
- Isles_since_6

Expectations for Joensuu are low. It doesn't take much to upgrade our bottom 6 from last year.

I was at the game last night and as an Isles fan, had an interest in paying attention to Joensuu. I thought he played reasonably well for a bottom six forward. I would laugh at the use of "terrific" to describe his play. He's slow, missed a lot of hits due to lack of footspeed but was trying and managed to score.

Sadly, that's his ceiling for you and it won't happen often.

He's a bottom six and not a great one, don't expect much. If that was terrific for you then your expectations are much lower than mine, or we have a different definition of the word.


***oh, and JT's contract is still the best value in the entire league.

RNH making more after 102 games? Uhhh, no
- Isles_since_6

Either JT didn't believe in himself, or his agent didn't.

Also, .75 PPG..when he signed that contract his first two years. RNH.. .75.

You're right, what do goals have anything to do with contracts. 4 goals, 100 goals, no goals.... Who cares?! Goals should have no baring as to how much a number 1 centre gets paid.
- iknowbest

What if he scores 4 goals and adds 70 assists next year? Sure goals matter, but they're not the only thing that matters. He's generally regarded as a pass first playmaker, I wouldn't read too much into his goal scoring totals.

I was at the game last night and as an Isles fan, had an interest in paying attention to Joensuu. I thought he played reasonably well for a bottom six forward. I would laugh at the use of "terrific" to describe his play. He's slow, missed a lot of hits due to lack of footspeed but was trying and managed to score.

Sadly, that's his ceiling for you and it won't happen often.

He's a bottom six and not a great one, don't expect much. If that was terrific for you then your expectations are much lower than mine, or we have a different definition of the word.


***oh, and JT's contract is still the best value in the entire league.

RNH making more after 102 games? Uhhh, no
- Isles_since_6

Tavares contract is insane. Isles are so lucky to have him at that price.

It's one thing to be small, another to be injury prone.
Henrik is second amongst current NHL players when it comes to the Iron man streak, with the exception of Daniel's head-shot from Keith he was decent in terms of health consistency.

The Nuge on the other hand as already demonstrated his inability to stay healthy in a meager 102 game stint. Furthermore the Sedin's don't utilize a speed game in the same manner has Nuge does, thus in the playoffs, when things get nasty i'd assume things would get worse for the Nuge as opposed to better (regular season).
- Whiskey-Tango

That's what happens when a kid in Junior has a shoulder issue, but refuses to get it repaired as he doesn't wan to lose out on going high in the draft. RNH has had the same issue for a few years now just like Hall did.

Tavares contract is insane. Isles are so lucky to have him at that price.
- iknowbest

It's the same thing as the RNH contract.

What if he scores 4 goals and adds 70 assists next year? Sure goals matter, but they're not the only thing that matters.
- Sabresfan-365

It would be one thing if he scored 15 goals or something. But he only scored 4 goals. He has 22 career goals. He had a great rookie season (in which he only played 62 games) and that's all he's done.

That's not a fair comparison. If you told me I could offer sheet RNH and get him for 6 mil I would do it because in those cases it usually takes a mammoth offer of biblical proportions to pry away an RFA. The current scenario is different since RNH is property of the oilers for another 5 years?
- Sabresfan-365

So better to lowball, so he signs a 2 year deal to get him through to UFA with him knowing he will be worth $7 + to the rest of the league come UFA eligibility

It's, literally, the same thing as the RNH contract.
- Blackstrom2

It literally isn't. Tavares makes LESS than RNH. Ridiculous.