and one more thing. I saw John Prine at the old Ontario Place concert area. It was unbelievable. What a talent. Perfect for chillin' around a camp fire these summer nights.
"Sam Stone..."
- Monitor1

Seeing John Prine in concert would be awesome.

James. You and I know each other pretty well, but I must admit that I'm shocked that you would admit something so agregious. No one and I mean no one should admit to liking the Green Lantern movie
- TokenBlack

hahaha. I can't help it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

First, you don't know all the details regarding the Richards' situation. So saying the Kings are just trying to get out of his contract for small issue is ignorant. Wait until the details emerge. And I'm sure, since you're a blogger, you read other blogs or hockey articles. Lombardi was in talks with Edmonton and Calgary regarding Richards at the draft. He sought out both of those GMs to say they should end talks because this incident was going to come out. So give your disliking of the Kings a break until we know more.

Second, Voynov was not convicted. Look up the definition of convicted. He took a plea deal. So tell me. Why would the Kings attempt to eliminate his contract and take a cap hit when he's already been suspended by the league AND the team? His salary doesn't count against the cap now, but if we were to do to him what we did to Richards, there would be a cap penalty. That's not good for business.

James Tanner: PLUS/MINUS: Richards, Kessel & Vermette
Plus, tons more!
- James_Tanner

Excellent read.

The Kings "Zero tolerance on Illegal Drugs" policy is going to bite them in the a$$ if this goes to court

They have to explain why Stolls contract wasn't "immediately terminated" when he was found with cocaine in Vegas and actually arrested/charged

Can't be picky and choosy when it comes to corporate/business policies when it comes to employee discipline

First, you don't know all the details regarding the Richards' situation. So saying the Kings are just trying to get out of his contract for small issue is ignorant. Wait until the details emerge. And I'm sure, since you're a blogger, you read other blogs or hockey articles. Lombardi was in talks with Edmonton and Calgary regarding Richards at the draft. He sought out both of those GMs to say they should end talks because this incident was going to come out. So give your disliking of the Kings a break until we know more.

Second, Voynov was not convicted. Look up the definition of convicted. He took a plea deal. So tell me. Why would the Kings attempt to eliminate his contract and take a cap hit when he's already been suspended by the league AND the team? His salary doesn't count against the cap now, but if we were to do to him what we did to Richards, there would be a cap penalty. That's not good for business.
- Troy0418

First of all, I don't hate the Kings. I would say the exact same thing about any team that did this, so give me a little credit for integrity.

Also, I fully admit that we don't know the details, but I do think it's pretty coincidental if this has nothing to do with the report of the Oxycotin.

My point is that if you encourage people to play through pain and play a sport where injuries occur, a guy getting caught up in trouble with pain pills should be expected and treated with compassion. Maybe there is more info, I hope so because right now it looks so sad and unfair.

As for Voyonov, that's a pretty pedantic distinction man. He's going to jail - so plea deal or not, he hit his wife. If they want to do what's "good for business" over what is the correct moral thing to do, fine. Just don't expect me not to criticize it.

Last time I checked, it isn't OK to do the wrong thing and say "hey it's just business."

Excellent read.
- systemtool

Thank you sir.

I see no reason not to consider them among the best teams in the NHL already

Haha, I wish I could find your eerily similar post from this time last year-I believe it read the same.

All ribbing aside, they are much improved, however the Oil, of all all teams, should know not to place too much emphasis on a paper roster until you see them working on the ice as a team. Maybe we can say they have a better chance of making the post season this year, and hold off on calling the one of the best until we see some results.

Completely agree on Kessel, I think the Toronto media frenzy has a way of ruining guys that just want to play and aren't all that savvy in the spot light

Really good article and posts. Keep up the great reading for us fans. Thanks

First, you don't know all the details regarding the Richards' situation. So saying the Kings are just trying to get out of his contract for small issue is ignorant. Wait until the details emerge. And I'm sure, since you're a blogger, you read other blogs or hockey articles. Lombardi was in talks with Edmonton and Calgary regarding Richards at the draft. He sought out both of those GMs to say they should end talks because this incident was going to come out. So give your disliking of the Kings a break until we know more.

Second, Voynov was not convicted. Look up the definition of convicted. He took a plea deal. So tell me. Why would the Kings attempt to eliminate his contract and take a cap hit when he's already been suspended by the league AND the team? His salary doesn't count against the cap now, but if we were to do to him what we did to Richards, there would be a cap penalty. That's not good for business.
- Troy0418

Pleading Guilty is actually worse than being convicted

If someone is convicted, I can always think "maybe there is a slim chance he didn't do it"

Pleading guilty is the guy admitting to the world that he did the crime, a plea deal is just damage control on sentencing for the crime he just admitted to doing

There would be no cap penalty on voiding Voynov's contract. It's not a buyout, and Voynov's contract has no cap recapture penalty as it was backloaded, not frontloaded

I see no reason not to consider them among the best teams in the NHL already

Haha, I wish I could find your eerily similar post from this time last year-I believe it read the same.

All ribbing aside, they are much improved, however the Oil, of all all teams, should know not to place too much emphasis on a paper roster until you see them working on the ice as a team. Maybe we can say they have a better chance of making the post season this year, and hold off on calling the one of the best until we see some results.

Completely agree on Kessel, I think the Toronto media frenzy has a way of ruining guys that just want to play and aren't all that savvy in the spot light
- nikel

I did say the same thing last year. And now they added McDavid. It's crazy to say this, but I think people are so sick of hearing how good the Oilers will eventually be that the impact of McDavid is actually being underrated.

Really good article and posts. Keep up the great reading for us fans. Thanks
- Leafsandbolts

Thanks, always happy to hear this. Also, I am happy if you call me an idiot. I'm just generally pretty happy I guess.

Who's up for staring in my cell-phone shot fan-fiction version of Green Lantern 2?

I did say the same thing last year. And now they added McDavid. It's crazy to say this, but I think people are so sick of hearing how good the Oilers will eventually be that the impact of McDavid is actually being underrated.
- James_Tanner

I don't think it's about the young talent, that is undeniable, what's lacking is the surrounding players to let those talented young kids realize their potential. Toews, Kane and Keith didn't win on their own, although they were pretty much 90% of it, they needed a guy like Vermette (3 game winning goals?) to augment them.

Novel idea: Judge hockey players based on their hockey skills and performance on the ice. - James Tanner

He is -75 for his career, and has had only 1 plus year in the NHL, with the 08-09 Bruins. Playing offense is only half the game. You have to be responsible defensively. Look at guys like Toews and Hossa, they are why teams win Cups. Hell, even patrick Kane has significantly improved his play in his own end.

I did like the green lantern movie as well. I was sad they never made a sequel
- drummer829

Same here.

First of all, I don't hate the Kings. I would say the exact same thing about any team that did this, so give me a little credit for integrity.

Also, I fully admit that we don't know the details, but I do think it's pretty coincidental if this has nothing to do with the report of the Oxycotin.

My point is that if you encourage people to play through pain and play a sport where injuries occur, a guy getting caught up in trouble with pain pills should be expected and treated with compassion. Maybe there is more info, I hope so because right now it looks so sad and unfair.

As for Voyonov, that's a pretty pedantic distinction man. He's going to jail - so plea deal or not, he hit his wife. If they want to do what's "good for business" over what is the correct moral thing to do, fine. Just don't expect me not to criticize it.

Last time I checked, it isn't OK to do the wrong thing and say "hey it's just business."
- James_Tanner

One would assume the Richards' situation has a little more than just oxy attached to it. If that's the entire issue, I don't think that would be a valid reason to
void a contract. The NHLPA wouldn't allow for that. If it is only oxy, his contract should, as you said, be reinstated. But then again, it's all speculation and I have as much knowledge on this as anyone else on the outside looking in.

As for Voynov, the guy should NEVER play another game in the NHL. If the league were to make an exception and allow the Kings to void his contract without any cap implications, I believe they would probably do so. But right now, keeping him on as a suspended player is the best business decision they could make. I don't think any other NHL team would terminate his contract, either. Look at all the abusive POS NFLers that still have jobs. And the fans still love those players. So I think the Kings best choice is to stand pat right now until the NHL decides what they're going to do.

Pleading Guilty is actually worse than being convicted

If someone is convicted, I can always think "maybe there is a slim chance he didn't do it"

Pleading guilty is the guy admitting to the world that he did the crime, a plea deal is just damage control on sentencing for the crime he just admitted to doing

There would be no cap penalty on voiding Voynov's contract. It's not a buyout, and Voynov's contract has no cap recapture penalty as it was backloaded, not frontloaded
- TheGame316

You know innocent people take plea deals, too, right? This is not me saying Voynov is innocent, because he obviously was guilty. But taking a deal does not 100% of have time equate to guilt.

Hmm, if Voynov's contact could be voided without any cap implications, then James was 100% right in what he said about Voynov and the Kings. I will just stop talking LOL

Anyone think these stiff penalties for players regarding domestic abuse is going to lead more women to keep quiet?

Given that Voynov and his wife are still together, Do you think they still make the trip to the hospital if they knew what the end result of doing so was? (Career over/Lost $$$/Possible Jail/deportation, etc...)

I think if they had a do-over she just stays in the house for a few weeks and heals up....

And that's NOT a good thing.....

I did say the same thing last year. And now they added McDavid. It's crazy to say this, but I think people are so sick of hearing how good the Oilers will eventually be that the impact of McDavid is actually being underrated.
- James_Tanner

There are several things that support optimism heading into next season. Most will agree that winning the lottery is #1. That has factored into attracting a top coach to sign here who is supported by experienced upper management. The young guns have needed an experienced coach & GM for several years, but now we have that. Hopefully this year they will learn their final "system" instead of being forced to adapt to questionable offence/defence schemes.
Drafting McDavid & having better management has made Edmonton a more attractive place for UFAs to sign, which also helps.
The young players now have another year of experience & in some cases have added a few more pounds of muscle. This especially helps the young D prospects, although some will still need seasoning on the farm before coming to the big team for good.
So, we've had these significant, positive changes from last year.

Great comments on Kessel. the guy is incredibly underrated. He did everything asked of him in Toronto. He made his linemates have career years, and became PPG for 3 and a half years with an avcg-at-best second line C. (As you mentioned as well, 0 games missed in 6 years).

I really think it's a Toronto thing more than him being different though. Would any of this stiuff be said about him in Nashville or Arizona? Very unlikely.

The guy is going to light-it-up in Pittsburgh.

Novel idea: Judge hockey players based on their hockey skills and performance on the ice. - James Tanner

He is -75 for his career, and has had only 1 plus year in the NHL, with the 08-09 Bruins. Playing offense is only half the game. You have to be responsible defensively. Look at guys like Toews and Hossa, they are why teams win Cups. Hell, even patrick Kane has significantly improved his play in his own end.
- scottak

+/- is a team stat. Who is a + player on the Leafs? No one.

His last season on a good Bruins team he was +214. Enough said.

The Kings "Zero tolerance on Illegal Drugs" policy is going to bite them in the a$$ if this goes to court

They have to explain why Stolls contract wasn't "immediately terminated" when he was found with cocaine in Vegas and actually arrested/charged

Can't be picky and choosy when it comes to corporate/business policies when it comes to employee discipline
- TheGame316

stoll is a UFA, so nothing to void or terminate.

On richards: I don't think it was convenient at all for the kings. Reportedly they were close on a deal with Edmonton that would have gotten them out of his contract anyway. Then Lombardi hears of the arrest and has to shelve all trade talks.

I agree with you that there is a larger issue of pain killers, concussions and prescription drug abuse. It makes me really upset that people so quickly forget about the truly sad stories of guys like Rick Rypien and Derek Boogard.

Voynov: what he admitted to in his plea deal is absolutely disgusting. I would most likely boo him when he took the ice in a Kings sweater. Having said that. He plead no contest to a domestic misdemeanor and is already top 5 in longest suspended players In NHL history. He will serve 90 days in jail get rehab and counseling. He is not the first to be accused of this sort of thing. All in all I hope he gets the help he needs and he will be a better husband to his wife moving forward, regardless if he ever plays another NHL game.

You know innocent people take plea deals, too, right? This is not me saying Voynov is innocent, because he obviously was guilty. But taking a deal does not 100% of have time equate to guilt.

Hmm, if Voynov's contact could be voided without any cap implications, then James was 100% right in what he said about Voynov and the Kings. I will just stop talking LOL
- Troy0418

I think it's an important distinction to make. A lot of times people take plea deals because they can't afford their bail and admitting guilt and not wasting the court's time allows them to stay out of jail.

That's actually a pretty disgusting practice and an abuse of justice, it's how things seem to work. Taking a plea doesn't mean you did the crime you're accused of, it sometimes means that you can't afford a decent lawyer and/or bail.

But that pretty clearly isn't the case when a millionaire is charged with a crime.

Pleading Guilty is actually worse than being convicted

If someone is convicted, I can always think "maybe there is a slim chance he didn't do it"

Pleading guilty is the guy admitting to the world that he did the crime, a plea deal is just damage control on sentencing for the crime he just admitted to doing

There would be no cap penalty on voiding Voynov's contract. It's not a buyout, and Voynov's contract has no cap recapture penalty as it was backloaded, not frontloaded
- TheGame316

He plead no contest which is way different legally