Orpik back tonight to squash a few former teammates?

They have played very well. They are about to enter the deep end of the pool. Caps/Pens, and Blues/Sharks they will need Stamkos and Stralman to beat those teams imo. The Wings, and Fishsticks aren't a great measuring stick.
- PLindbergh31

Gotta hope Pens/Caps goes to multiple OTs in game 7, then Crosby or Ovechkin make some terrible mistake to lose it.

Orpik back tonight to squash a few former teammates?
- wolfhounds

Ew

The whole "assists are the work of the devil and don't matter" argument doesn't really do it for me.
- Feanor

Since I never said anything like that, that's good. Obviously assists are important, and it's better to have more than less. Still not sure how that changes the fact that Jake needs to be better next season. Unless, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, everybody was fine with his play this past season?

Ew
- Giroux_Is_God

Sorry. Good hot shower will take care of that.

You behind the counter providing people all the drugs they could ever want?

That's gotta sting though if he walks away and they get nothing in return.
- aightwebang17

It would, but they can try and trade him at the draft for an asset, won't be much though. A case can definitely be made to let him walk.

If Stamkos signs with another team, no way he accepts less than 11 million. The top players don't become UFAs to match what others have gotten prior, they will always ask for a precedent amount and a team WILL do it.
- Glak18

I don't know.

I understand what that everyone thinks he is getting some big pay day. But I don't think he gets 11 million unless it's Toronto just trying to outbid everyone.

I think he gets more a Kopitar deal.

If he goes to a team that is closer to contending then Toronto then I say he gets something like 69 million over 7 years(9.857cap). If its Toronto then I see maybe 80 over 7 years(11.428Cap).

Depends if he wants to play in a full rebuild or play for a team closer to contending

Since I never said anything like that, that's good.
- wolfhounds

Then why did you measure his performance by goals, instead of points?

That's gotta sting though if he walks away and they get nothing in return.
- aightwebang17

Especially since he likely won't even be helping them in the playoffs.

They do gain $10M+ worth of cap space

Gotta hope Pens/Caps goes to multiple OTs in game 7, then Crosby or Ovechkin make some terrible mistake to lose it.
- Feanor

Game 7, 3rd OT... referee so tired he sees a phantom hook on Chimera (reality is the Penguin fell down because of fatigue)... Caps pull Holtby for extra attacker during delayed penalty... Backstrom tries passing puck back to the point... and D man falls over himself, allowing pass to go the length of the ice & into the empty net. Backstrom takes year off to get over the pain & Caps are never the same after he comes back.

Bigger potential tragedy: Ovi never wins a cup, or Crosby only wins 1 cup?

Bigger potential tragedy: Ovi never wins a cup, or Crosby only wins 1 cup?
- steelydan

It is already a greater tragedy that Crosby won one.

I seriously do not care if Chokevechkin ever wins a cup.

Then why did you measure his performance by goals, instead of points?
- Feanor

Goals are the prime stat. But to be fair, his performance across the board was fairly average, wasn't it?

My only point in talking about Jake is he needs to be better next season. And his play this past season has me a little nervous. He struggled with confidence, and that's tricky. That said, giving any player top dollar over 8 years makes me nervous because anything can happen. The flip side of that is obviously top dollar now will be average in 4 or 5 years and hopefully said player will be killing it production wise.

What sort of numbers do you think Jake should be putting up next season to be on par with his contract?

I don't know.

I understand what that everyone thinks he is getting some big pay day. But I don't think he gets 11 million unless it's Toronto just trying to outbid everyone.

I think he gets more a Kopitar deal.

If he goes to a team that is closer to contending then Toronto then I say he gets something like 69 million over 7 years(9.857cap). If its Toronto then I see maybe 80 over 7 years(11.428Cap).

Depends if he wants to play in a full rebuild or play for a team closer to contending
- J35Bacher

What if Florida makes an offer of $11M? No income taxes makes that even bigger. Toronto would need to offer significantly more just to match the actual dollar value.

What if Florida makes an offer of $11M? No income taxes makes that even bigger. Toronto would need to offer significantly more just to match the actual dollar value.
- PhillySportsGuy

But dat hometown discount doe

What if Florida makes an offer of $11M? No income taxes makes that even bigger. Toronto would need to offer significantly more just to match the actual dollar value.
- PhillySportsGuy

No State Income Tax in Florida? Still have to pay the feds though, which I guess is less than Canadian taxes?

But dat hometown discount doe
- Streit2ThePoint

No State Income Tax in Florida? Still have to pay the feds though, which I guess is less than Canadian taxes?
- wolfhounds

The exchange rate is also pretty brutal. Some finance person can probably do it, but I imagine Florida could offer $1M per year less than Toronto and Stamkos could still walk away with more money in the end. Florida is also built to contend now and in the future. Plus, it's (frank)ING 70 DEGREES IN THE WINTER

Gotta hope Pens/Caps goes to multiple OTs in game 7, then Crosby or Ovechkin make some terrible mistake to lose it.
- Feanor

I'm hoping to see a game 7 in that series. The more hockey the better.

It is already a greater tragedy that Crosby won one.

I serious do not care if Chokevechkin ever wins a cup.
- MBFlyerfan

Tampa are also missing Stralman, but I hope he's back for the third round to help them beat whichever of those two poopstain teams they will face.

Tampa vs St Louis or San Jose would be a interesting finals, and should be very even.
- Feanor

I can't root for San Jose. I've never liked them going back to 2005, and I don't know why, I just don't.

It would, but they can try and trade him at the draft for an asset, won't be much though. A case can definitely be made to let him walk.
- MJL

I don't think any team is going to trade for him. Although it's forbidden, players, teams, and agents all talk well ahead of the start of FA. He will have a handshake deal in place by July 1st. Maybe a team will get desperate and flip a late pick to try to persuade him, but I don't see it.

I'm hoping to see a game 7 in that series. The more hockey the better.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely. That would be a great game, perfect ending to a tough series. Caps gotta win in Pitt first, but they can do it. Murray's got to be feeling the pressure more and more every game, and that's a lot to ask of a rookie. If the Caps start getting a lucky goal or two - and they are due - watch out.

I can't root for San Jose. I've never liked them going back to 2005, and I don't know why, I just don't.
- jmatchett383

I'm hoping for St. Louis over Washington. St Louis has a great loyal fanbase, and they deserve to finally win a Cup, plus I'm a big fan of Hitch.

Also, I would enjoy watching the Caps get oh so close, and then failing to win it all. (frank) them!

I'm hoping for St. Louis over Washington. St Louis has a great loyal fanbase, and they deserve to finally win a Cup, plus I'm a big fan of Hitch.

Also, I would enjoy watching the Caps get oh so close, and then failing to win it all. (frank) them!
- BiggE

That's the series I'm looking for as well.

I'm hoping for St. Louis over Washington. St Louis has a great loyal fanbase, and they deserve to finally win a Cup, plus I'm a big fan of Hitch.

Also, I would enjoy watching the Caps get oh so close, and then failing to win it all. (frank) them!
- BiggE

Who was the guy on here that didn't want St. Louis to win because it would push the Flyers back 1 spot on the Cupless years list? Stupidest reason to not root for a team I've ever heard. Honestly, the stupidest reason.

I'd like St. Louis versus Tampa Bay and would be happy with either result for 3 reasons:
1) I don't think there's one player on St. Louis that I don't like, so I'm cool with St. Louis winning.
2) Big fan of Hedman, and I'd love Coburn to win a Cup to see 2Real's mind explode.
3) Oshie leaves, goes to Washington, and his former team wins.