All I know about Calgarys situation is what I can see from salary cap sites. It looks like their roster is already about full except some RFAs at forward and open goalie spots. With their salary cap at under $50 million right now, it seems like they can improve their roster and take on some salary too. Guys like Nyquist or Tatar can be thrown in too for the right deal.
- ajhill4594

They might be able to afford it, but you have to factor in Gudreau and Monahhans raises coming up. But if it's only 1 year they should be able to swing it.

he was at the end of his career in the NHL. Two different situations. Datsyuk is 100% more classy and respected than kovalchuk. Family first.
- lplafrance

Family first? Does one of his family members have a terminal illness? He has been away from Russia for 15 years...what is one more year? The family thing is a BS excuse for him to bail on a signed contract/obligation to the team that paid him millions of dollars to play hockey. Anyone who watched him this year saw that he was a shell of his former self. It comes down to Pavel Datsyuk being frustrated by his inability to dominate the NHL like he has for most of his career. Unless there is a family issue that I am unaware of, the family excuse is just that, an excuse.

They might be able to afford it, but you have to factor in Gudreau and Monahhans raises coming up. But if it's only 1 year they should be able to swing it.
- Jeropotato

Getting a starting goalie at a discount would give them cap relief after this season as well. Howard catches a lot of heat but hes also saved our asses a lot of times. I cant remember many playoff series where he wasnt one of our better players. Our playoff problems have been caused by poor play from the skaters, not our goalie.

Family first? Does one of his family members have a terminal illness? He has been away from Russia for 15 years...what is one more year? The family thing is a BS excuse for him to bail on a signed contract/obligation to the team that paid him millions of dollars to play hockey. Anyone who watched him this year saw that he was a shell of his former self. It comes down to Pavel Datsyuk being frustrated by his inability to dominate the NHL like he has for most of his career. Unless there is a family issue that I am unaware of, the family excuse is just that, an excuse.
- EnzoD

What? You bash one theory as pure speculation and follow up with some pure speculation of your own.

The truth is, Pavel Datsyuk want to go home. It was pre-arranged years ago. The reasons, frankly, are none of your business.

I know it hard to wrap your head around, but maybe he has lived in the United States long enough ?

Getting a starting goalie at a discount would give them cap relief after this season as well. Howard catches a lot of heat but hes also saved our asses a lot of times. I cant remember many playoff series where he wasnt one of our better players. Our playoff problems have been caused by poor play from the skaters, not our goalie.
- ajhill4594

I think the Flames want a younger goalie that can give them 5 good years. Their goalie prospects are dismal.

1. All for trading Datsyuks contract with a sweetener but not a high end pick or prospect.

2. Why would Stamkos want to sign here again?

3. The team needs a (frank) ton of help on defense.

1. All for trading Datsyuks contract with a sweetener but not a high end pick or prospect.

2. Why would Stamkos want to sign here again?

3. The team needs a (frank) ton of help on defense.
- Jurco_28

Wings just need to take it easy and not worry about the playoffs this year.

Besides, someone has to miss so that the Sabres can make it in.

What? You bash one theory as pure speculation and follow up with some pure speculation of your own.

The truth is, Pavel Datsyuk want to go home. It was pre-arranged years ago. The reasons, frankly, are none of your business.

I know it hard to wrap your head around, but maybe he has lived in the United States long enough ?
- Jeropotato

Is it hard to wrap your head around that fact that he is defaulting on a signed contract? You know as little as I do about what his real reasons are for leaving and if it was prearranged years ago then he should have signed an extension with one less year. I'm not bashing speculation, I am bashing Datsyuk for bailing on a signed contract/committment.

Pavel Datsyuk was a Top 5 Center in the league for 10 years. With that being said, I find this move to be cowardly and disloyal to the Red Wings. I find it cowardly bc it is clear that he cannot dominate the league like he once could, and instead of toughing it out in the best league in the world for one more season, he packed his bags for the KHL....leaving his club with $7.5mil in DEAD cap space. Datsyuk was an exceptional player, but this is a Kovalchuk level type of D-Bag move, IMO.
- EnzoD

Once again. You're wrong

Is it hard to wrap your head around that fact that he is defaulting on a signed contract? You know as little as I do about what his real reasons are for leaving and if it was prearranged years ago then he should have signed an extension with one less year. I'm not bashing speculation, I am bashing Datsyuk for bailing on a signed contract/committment.
- EnzoD

Well if Ken Holland isn't upset about it, why are you?

Well if Ken Holland isn't upset about it, why are you?
- Jeropotato

He is issuing public statements to the press. I wouldnt be surprised if he was cursing Datsyuk at home. He left them with one year on a contract and a dead $7.5mil in cap space that Ken Holland said himself is unlikely to be moved.

To the shining star that called me an idiot...that is a clear personal attack on another poster. Check the Code of Conduct before you get yourself a ban. I understand that today was a tough day for you, but Datsyuk took the coward's way out (unless he has a serious issue at home in Russia).

He is issuing public statements to the press. I wouldnt be surprised if he was cursing Datsyuk at home. He left them with one year on a contract and a dead $7.5mil in cap space that Ken Holland said himself is unlikely to be moved.

To the shining star that called me an idiot...that is a clear personal attack on another poster. Check the Code of Conduct before you get yourself a ban. I understand that today was a tough day for you, but Datsyuk took the coward's way out (unless he has a serious issue at home in Russia).
- EnzoD

Maybe not serious, but maybe Grandpa only has a few years left and can't travel to America to see his grandson play. Maybe he's close to his family. Who knows? And none of this might seem important enough to you to bail on a contract , but people have different values.

It's just hockey, or a job, or whatever.
Question: is what Datsyuk is doing illegal in any way?

Maybe not serious, but maybe Grandpa only has a few years left and can't travel to America to see his grandson play. Maybe he's close to his family. Who knows? And none of this might seem important enough to you to bail on a contract , but people have different values.

It's just hockey, or a job, or whatever.
Question: is what Datsyuk is doing illegal in any way?
- Jeropotato

Without knowing the family situation, we can agree to disagree on honoring a signed contract. It has nothing to do with legality, only honor/pride, IMO.

He is issuing public statements to the press. I wouldnt be surprised if he was cursing Datsyuk at home. He left them with one year on a contract and a dead $7.5mil in cap space that Ken Holland said himself is unlikely to be moved.

To the shining star that called me an idiot...that is a clear personal attack on another poster. Check the Code of Conduct before you get yourself a ban. I understand that today was a tough day for you, but Datsyuk took the coward's way out (unless he has a serious issue at home in Russia).
- EnzoD

Did you hear the conference and what holland said? He said datsyuk wanted to do the 1 year deal thing then his agent told him to sign a multi year deal. Then holland said datsyuks agent came to him and said datsyuk wants a 5 year deal holland negotiated it down to 3 then datsyuk signed not knowing that if he retired during the contract his cap would still count. After datsyuk learned that his cap would still count if he retired which was after the 2014-2015 season and that his agent didn't tell him that, Datsyuk fired his agent and hired another one. I don't blame Datsyuk or Holland as much after hearing that Datsyuks agent failed to inform his client the rules on 35+ contracts.

Without knowing the family situation, we can agree to disagree on honoring a signed contract. It has nothing to do with legality, only honor/pride, IMO.
- EnzoD

It's just a contract. Not that big deal if your not raised in a culture of Liable. Employers break contracts all the time, legally.

Family first? Does one of his family members have a terminal illness? He has been away from Russia for 15 years...what is one more year? The family thing is a BS excuse for him to bail on a signed contract/obligation to the team that paid him millions of dollars to play hockey. Anyone who watched him this year saw that he was a shell of his former self. It comes down to Pavel Datsyuk being frustrated by his inability to dominate the NHL like he has for most of his career. Unless there is a family issue that I am unaware of, the family excuse is just that, an excuse.
- EnzoD

you seem very angry at someone whose leaving a team that's one of your main rivals. who cares why he left he left. His kids live in Russia. Hes getting older and wants to be with them. Let him be. doesn't matter why.

Did you hear the conference and what holland said? He said datsyuk wanted to do the 1 year deal thing then his agent told him to sign a multi year deal. Then holland said datsyuks agent came to him and said datsyuk wants a 5 year deal holland negotiated it down to 3 then datsyuk signed not knowing that if he retired during the contract his cap would still count. After datsyuk learned that his cap would still count if he retired which was after the 2014-2015 season and that his agent didn't tell him that, Datsyuk fired his agent and hired another one. I don't blame Datsyuk or Holland as much after hearing that Datsyuks agent failed to inform his client the rules on 35+ contracts.
- krk181

That's all well and good, but it doesn't fit into Enzo's " Russian POS" narrative, therefore should be dismissed from the record.

Without knowing the family situation, we can agree to disagree on honoring a signed contract. It has nothing to do with legality, only honor/pride, IMO.
- EnzoD

His wife and 2 daughters live in Russia all year round when the season ends he usually travels home right away to be with them. He's daughters go to school in Russia and his oldest plays hockey there too and is supposed to be really good too. He just wants to spend more time with them and he wants to end his career in his homeland. Plus he wasn't giving the right information by his agent before he signed the 3 year deal Datsyuk was under the impression that he could just retire whenever and his cap his wouldn't count but his agent didn't correct him and when Datsyuk found out he fired that agent

When Holland offered him the contract, he did so knowing that Datsyuk not only had every right to leave before the contract expired, but also knowing that Pavel had already stated that he wanted to play in Russia before he got too old. Holland signed him fully aware of the risks and consequences. He accepted those risks when he signed him. Pavel didnt make the rule that stated that teams can be stuck with the cap hit of retired players, the owners did.

Now Im not saying its right to back out of a contract, but sometimes life isnt that simple. The rules allow Pavel to retire whenever he wants. If Datsyuk believes going back to Russia is that important, then thats the decision that he has to make.

Is it hard to wrap your head around that fact that he is defaulting on a signed contract? You know as little as I do about what his real reasons are for leaving and if it was prearranged years ago then he should have signed an extension with one less year. I'm not bashing speculation, I am bashing Datsyuk for bailing on a signed contract/committment.
- EnzoD

He really isn't. He's retiring the same as any athlete that feels they can't play a full season would, but NHL rules force the cap hit to stay

It is a rule that's meant to discourage teams from signing players to years they know they won't play in order do lower their cap hits. In this case Detroit has to pay for the lower AAV they got him at

Is it hard to wrap your head around that fact that he is defaulting on a signed contract? You know as little as I do about what his real reasons are for leaving and if it was prearranged years ago then he should have signed an extension with one less year. I'm not bashing speculation, I am bashing Datsyuk for bailing on a signed contract/committment.
- EnzoD

You going to feel the same way when hossa retires and leaves the Hawks with cap recapture penalties?

It all depends on what they want to take on the cap hit, obviously not having to pay anything to datsyuk should make it easier to move than if they had to take the cap AND pay him

im with the sense if it means a 3rd round or later pick/prospect im for it, move him

but if were talking svechnikov or russo? no thanks, eat the cap for a year and keep those players
- digitalbath

The market has already been set on moving these cap hits and a third rounder isn't getting it done. If Holland doesn't want to move a quality player like Chicago just did or cough up a 2nd like Florida just did then he's going to have to offer some type of package because not one GM in this league is giving away 10% of their salary cap for a 3rd or later pic.

As for this retarded family vs honor argument, it's business. Get over it. No one is doing anything wrong or heroic here.

Last, the league probably shouldn't even allow teams to trade any contracts for players who aren't actually playing like Horton, Savard or Pavs. It's all cap circumvention.

This was a bit brief and not long winded at all. Could you expand on this a little bit ? Thanks
- Jeropotato

well this is truth, vs all of the people on here who like to think what may happen. Why assume when you can know for sure, and it is lengthy, because its a lengthy topic.

The market has already been set on moving these cap hits and a third rounder isn't getting it done. If Holland doesn't want to move a quality player like Chicago just did or cough up a 2nd like Florida just did then he's going to have to offer some type of package because not one GM in this league is giving away 10% of their salary cap for a 3rd or later pic.

As for this retarded family vs honor argument, it's business. Get over it. No one is doing anything wrong or heroic here.

Last, the league probably shouldn't even allow teams to trade any contracts for players who aren't actually playing like Horton, Savard or Pavs. It's all cap circumvention.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree with most of it, but it aint cap circumvention if it is allowed. Now the next CBA, thye will review it... but as of now, fair game.

What? You bash one theory as pure speculation and follow up with some pure speculation of your own.

The truth is, Pavel Datsyuk want to go home. It was pre-arranged years ago. The reasons, frankly, are none of your business.

I know it hard to wrap your head around, but maybe he has lived in the United States long enough ?
- Jeropotato

Datsyuk fired his past agent because of the 3-year contract he is on. His agent misled him to believe that when he wanted to retire, the contract wouldn't hurt the Wings. When Datsyuk found out he would be punishing the Wings by moving back to Russia when he wanted, he fired the agent. He also wanted to go back to Russia last summer, but Holland convinced him to stay one more year and re-evaluate.

Whether he is screwing the Wings or not, it was not his intention to do so. He's a classy guy.