I must be reading the cap wrong or something. It's 74 million next year. After the Panarin bonus, Bickell buyout, and adding Scuds hit...I'm showing 66.4 million for 16 rostered players. Leaving 7.6 for 7 players. If you pay Shaw 3.0 million it leaves 6 spots for the remaining 4.6 million. That leaves $750,000 per player. Why is that not doable? I know its a lot of young guys from Rockford. So what am I missing? Does Shaw want more?
- onehundredlevel

Is that a better or worse team than the one that just got knocked out in round 1?

Is that a better or worse team than the one that just got knocked out in round 1?
- John Jaeckel

Worse, probably. That has been my point with the "major action required" POV on the Blackhawks. Sure, Stan can tinker around the edges and fill in the bottom 6 Forwards and Bottom 2 Defense with AHL call-ups or budget UFAs, but will that roster be even as good as the one that lost in Round 1? Doubt it.

Does Boudreau keeps his job in Anaheim after the Ducks' fourth Game 7 loss in the last four years?
- etchtech

Not if I was in charge but the main reason I think Boudreau is still there is because of $$. Ownership doesn't want to eat money which they will have to if he is canned.

Trent Yawney is there now, and if I were them I would give him a shot. The best part of their club since Yawney has gotten there is the defense, which he runs.

Worse, probably. That has been my point with the "major action required" POV on the Blackhawks. Sure, Stan can tinker around the edges and fill in the bottom 6 Forwards and Bottom 2 Defense with AHL call-ups or budget UFAs, but will that roster be even as good as the one that lost in Round 1? Doubt it.
- EnzoD

BOOM! Nailed it.

Stan's comments "growth from within" probably laying the groundwork for what is coming. More of the young guys just playing a bigger role.

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/video/c-43772903

Anyone know if Orpik is still out for the Capitals? That loss, and the subsequent thinning of their blue line depth, may level the playing field for the Penguins. I've got Capitals in 7
- EnzoD

Game time decision: http://www.rotoworld.com/...yer/nhl/1239/brooks-orpik

Is that a better or worse team than the one that just got knocked out in round 1?
- John Jaeckel

Well, this team was two goals away from beating a better-on-paper Blues team. My concern is that these two teams could easily meet in the first round next year. The Blues, regardless of how their postseason ends, won't have any cap trouble. They don't have a lot of old, key players, rather, they have some great, young players who will only get better. Might not get to 7 games next time around.

Too bad Rome doesn't have an NHL team. Because that would be the ideal spot for Caligula.
- John Jaeckel

Not to go too far out of bounds, but there is a pretty famous movie by the same name of which you can find on some.....ahem...."after-hours".....sites.

Pretty excited for the Crosby-Ovi showdown tonight, TBH.
- EnzoD

Should be a beauty. IMO Holtby has been the best in the world the last two seasons. Cashed that beauty NSH over ANA ticket and still alive in WSH to come out of the East, +150, and to win the cup, +400.

Some good reading here. Advanced stats vs the eye test for Round 2. http://www.thehockeynews....tes-heading-into-round-2/

Click around and you'll find previews of the series'.

Too bad Rome doesn't have an NHL team. Because that would be the ideal spot for Caligula.
- John Jaeckel

5 and a game for disembowelment

Anyone know if Orpik is still out for the Capitals? That loss, and the subsequent thinning of their blue line depth, may level the playing field for the Penguins. I've got Capitals in 7
- EnzoD

Watch that Schmidt kid, #88 I think, skate for the Caps. Guy can really skate.

BOOM! Nailed it.
- John Jaeckel

I know you can't name names without burning a source. But when you allude to management moving like an iceberg on trades due to all of the cooks in the kitchen, are all of the "cooks" true "hockey-people"? Or is there a mix of people who are great executives but now think they are now experts at personnel?

Well, I'll see you boys here in a month or so.

The endless debates on who is or wont' be going just will drag on. I think it's safe to say baring a major change in theory: 19,88,15,4,2,7,50,72,81 will not be moved. From there, I think the Hawks should/will listen on the rest.

Sadly hockey is going to put up horrific ratings. I'll watch Dallas/STL and Pitts/Wash but I have zero interest in the other 2 series. I doubt most of America will watch much of these games and the playoff gates will only hurt HRR more and the final cap number. Especially with no Canadian teams involved.

I wouodn't sleep on the sharks or blues or Caps. Caps are probably the only team in the east who can beat the Sharks, Blues or Stars. I'm not buying Pittsburgh, Islanders are over achieving and Tampa has lost some key players already.
- SteveRain

I don't think ratings have an impact on national TV revenues until the next contract, in several years.

I think the contracts are for fixed revenues until the current deals end.

BOOM! Nailed it.
- John Jaeckel

Such doom and gloom, it's going to be pretty much the same team. Don't see them as much worse. I'm going to wait and see how things play out in the off season. Be able to tell much more after we see what we end up with.

Should be a beauty. IMO Holtby has been the best in the world the last two seasons. Cashed that beauty NSH over ANA ticket and still alive in WSH to come out of the East, +150, and to win the cup, +400.

Some good reading here. Advanced stats vs the eye test for Round 2. http://www.thehockeynews....tes-heading-into-round-2/

Click around and you'll find previews of the series'.
- Mr Ricochet

I'll keep an eye out for 88 in Washingon but my primary focus will be on Trevor Daley and how he handles the physicality of Washington's forecheck.

Crawford not even nominated for the Vezina
Holtby Bishop and Quick
- Colbyboy

Not sure how Quick gets nominated before Crawford...

Odds to win the Cup-Pitt 15/4,Caps 15/4, Blues 19/4, Stars 5/1, SJ 25/4, Preds 17/2, NYI 17/2, TB 12/1
Setting up for the East??#BOVADA

Looks like this could be setting up nicely for the East winner.

Is that a better or worse team than the one that just got knocked out in round 1?
- John Jaeckel

Worse - but maybe (if the last 6 have any potential) a better team in 2017-18.

Caps are pretty solid from front to back. 4 solid lines, speed, great PP, good defense and a talented goaltender. I'd be surprised if anyone knocks that team out of the east.

I'll keep an eye out for 88 in Washingon but my primary focus will be on Trevor Daley and how he handles the physicality of Washington's forecheck.
- EnzoD

I like Pitt....and I like the Preds but it is a long road for the wild card to win the Cup coming out of the West.

Actually like I said when I posted the odds this looks like it is setting up for the East.

I like Pitt....and I like the Preds but it is a long road for the wild card to win the Cup coming out of the West.

Actually like I said when I posted the odds this looks like it is setting up for the East.
- Al

Appears that the Johansen-Jones swap really boosted the Preds scoring balance. Ekholm and Ellis have stepped up and Nashville will be a tough out for SJ. I like the Sharks in 7 bc I don't trust Rinne and Jones is a technically sound goalie.

I'll keep an eye out for 88 in Washingon but my primary focus will be on Trevor Daley and how he handles the physicality of Washington's forecheck.
- EnzoD

Pitt: Sheary rocket fast and an UNDRAFTED NCAA kid. This Tom Kuhnhackl kid really caught my eye, bottom 6 guy. Big power forward who moved nicely. Indeed we get to see Daley vs some big guns. He'll be tested whereas the Hawks won't be in Round 2. ........21 yr old Matt Murray in goal. Couldn't imagine a tougher assignment. Technical type with athleticism. Malkin when healthy is the best offensive player in the world, IMO.

WSH: Marcus Johansson who hopefully TT ends up like. Like that Schmidt's skating as mentioned. Every time I see the Caps this guys skating is very noticeable. My guy power forward Tom Wilson. For my money Backstrom is the best dish man on earth, and bigger than you think. Kuznetsov is damn near as tricky as Backstrom. .......Hotlby, best in the world.

Appears that the Johansen-Jones swap really boosted the Preds scoring balance. Ekholm and Ellis have stepped up and Nashville will be a tough out for SJ. I like the Sharks in 7 bc I don't trust Rinne and Jones is a technically sound goalie.

- EnzoD

Wild card is Rinne...If on, he is the best but the last 2 years he has been inconsistent.

I like Pitt....and I like the Preds but it is a long road for the wild card to win the Cup coming out of the West.

Actually like I said when I posted the odds this looks like it is setting up for the East.
- Al

The Preds were a beauty live dog in Round 1 at a great price. My reasoning was they finally have a 1C in Johanson and the best D in the world. Biggest worry was Rinne but he did enough. Problem vs SJ is they are deep at forward and IMO they can't hide Rinne v the deep Shark forwards and that nut Burns on D. They are a +170 but I can't take em in this spot.

Pitt: Sheary rocket fast and an UNDRAFTED NCAA kid. This Tom Kuhnhackl kid really caught my eye, bottom 6 guy. Big power forward who moved nicely. Indeed we get to see Daley vs some big guns. He'll be tested whereas the Hawks won't be in Round 2. ........21 yr old Matt Murray in goal. Couldn't imagine a tougher assignment. Technical type with athleticism. Malkin when healthy is the best offensive player in the world, IMO.

WSH: Marcus Johansson who hopefully TT ends up like. Like that Schmidt's skating as mentioned. Every time I see the Caps this guys skating is very noticeable. My guy power forward Tom Wilson. For my money Backstrom is the best dish man on earth, and bigger than you think. Kuznetsov is damn near as tricky as Backstrom. .......Hotlby, best in the world.
- Mr Ricochet

Backstrom is underrated.