Yeah, his speed, playmaking, and scoring ability is an exciting package. His dad played at around 185 pounds so I gotta think he can reach that weight for sure.
- Nucker101

Vision, creativity, can create space with speed OR patience... He's a stud.

Leddy isn't good enough to be someone who a Kesler deal is centered around. He plays some of the easiest minutes on the Hawks team.
- Nucker101

I'm assuming it would be TT, 1st and Leddy. I agree, not a huge fan of Leddy. Just think that if he did end up being a piece the Canucks want it's to fill a hole of a soon to be departed D-man.

Anaheim has a plethora of D-men too. Wouldn't be surprised to see one make it our way if Kesler was headed there.

Vision, creativity, can create space with speed OR patience... He's a stud.
- DrChristianTroy

Yeah, BPA at #6 if the top 5 goes as planned.

Don't forget, they annual salary can only have so much variance.
- golfingsince

The annual salary on Gaborik's deal is also equal for all 7 years. No cap benefit at all if he did retire early.

Edit: LeBrun is reporting that there is a variance. Last 3 years are $4.575M, $3.175M, $3.075M.

Hiller makes more sense even though I personally would let both young goalies get a chance this season.
- Nucker101

I'm not a fan of Hiller at all. I'd much rather stick with the two young goalies and see what Rollie can do with them.

I'm not a fan of Hiller at all. I'd much rather stick with the two young goalies and see what Rollie can do with them.
- KB3Point0

I agree.

Is this in the CBA somewhere?
- Nucker101

EA NHL14

The annual salary on Gaborik's deal is also equal for all 7 years. No cap benefit at all if he did retire early.

Edit: LeBrun is reporting that there is a variance. Last 3 years are $4.575M, $3.175M, $3.075M.
- KB3Point0

So basically a 5 year deal ?

Hi!

This blog took awhile to write, as new info kept coming in.

My thoughts on Bolland, Miller, Hiller and Gaborik as well as a Ryan Kesler crystal-ball poll all right here:

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=60873

I don't think Buffalo would bite. If Draisaitl somehow fell to #5, Benning better be all over Snow.
- Nucker101

Does anyone really think Draistl falls beyond #4? I'd be pretty surprised given he's exactly what both EDM and CGY need

Does anyone really think Draistl falls beyond #4? I'd be pretty surprised given he's exactly what both EDM and CGY need
- AlexF

I'd be shocked, but there's a slim chance Calgary might reach for Ritchie.

I'm not a fan of Hiller at all. I'd much rather stick with the two young goalies and see what Rollie can do with them.
- KB3Point0

I think Hiller would be ideal for someone like MIN or PIT.

I'd be shocked, but there's a slim chance Calgary might reach for Ritchie.
- Nucker101

No idea why. Draistl fits the Burke profile and he's a better player, not to mention CGY are desperate for a franchise type C. He's a bit on the slower side from what I can tell, but everything else signals he's the real deal.

Also, apparently no recapture for early retirements on contracts entered in this CBA.
- golfingsince

That's because of the Max length. Only contracts longer than 8 (I think) years are subject to recapture.