This next labor negotiation is going to be ugly. All the big name FA and Stamkos signed these deals with all bonus money. This is going to create a divide in the PA as well. Why do the big shots get to keep all their money when some poor schmuck making "only" $1M has to pay 16% escrow on his entire contract when ROR, Stamkos, Okposo, and to an extent Lucic, but he's only at half bonus, only have to pay the same dollar figure because their actual salary is the exact same. I would be super pissed if ROR who makes $11M next year only has to pay 16% of $1M and I had to pay the same 16% of my entire $1M salary.

Note: The actual escrow amount may be different. It was 16% for 14-15 I believe and I'm too lazy to look it up in the CBA at the moment. But the principle is the same regardless of the actual amount of escrow.
- Wetbandit1

Escrow is paid on bonuses.

Bonuses effect the ability to buyout the contract. They also make it strike/lockout proof. Even in a labour storage the player still gets paid.

Last lockout Weber still got his 12 million bonus.

UFA.
- mhp

Ah, I see your earlier post. Don't mind the player if you can get him for that $ and term, but I am hoping one of Bailey or Fasching make it out of camp and stays.

Nash, on the other hand...he def. upgrades our top 6 but to me he's too much $$ and better as a deadline acquisition if we are in the hunt. Don't want to give up any of our future for him, even if it is the much-reviled Girgs.

Ah, I see your earlier post. Don't mind the player if you can get him for that $ and term, but I am hoping one of Bailey or Fasching make it out of camp and stays.

Nash, on the other hand...he def. upgrades our top 6 but to me he's too much $$ and better as a deadline acquisition if we are in the hunt. Don't want to give up any of our future for him, even if it is the much-reviled Girgs.
- LandlordTom

idk if the Rangers are willing to retain any of his salary. I kind of feel the same way about the situation.

Ah, I see your earlier post. Don't mind the player if you can get him for that $ and term, but I am hoping one of Bailey or Fasching make it out of camp and stays.

Nash, on the other hand...he def. upgrades our top 6 but to me he's too much $$ and better as a deadline acquisition if we are in the hunt. Don't want to give up any of our future for him, even if it is the much-reviled Girgs.
- LandlordTom

I'm less optimistic about us signing Vesey and Jack needs a LW so I would do the trade for Nash. The rumors are out there and if we can get the Rags to eat some of Nash's cap hit, I would highly consider it.

If the Rags won't eat some of Nash's salary then there is no deal. They need cap relief.

I'm less optimistic about us signing Vesey and Jack needs a LW so I would do the trade for Nash. The rumors are out there and if we can get the Rags to eat some of Nash's cap hit, I would highly consider it.

If the Rags won't eat some of Nash's salary then there is no deal. They need cap relief.
- mhp

we are back to eating celery?

I thought we were passed that.

Hearing sabres in strong talks going for Nash. Just word right now nothing locked in. Players like girgs and ennis discussed.

Hearing sabres in strong talks going for Nash. Just word right now nothing locked in. Players like girgs and ennis discussed.
- Simple

Why...

we are back to eating celery?

I thought we were passed that.
- thatsapickle

The Rags eat the celery...

Why...
- feetontheair22

Cause he is good.

Cause he is good.
- ImThatGuy

We need to have a strong top 9, not just strong top 6.

We could use Nash and Vesey

We need to have a strong top 9, not just strong top 6.

We could use Nash and Vesey
- sbroads24

Nash RoR Okposo
VeseyEichel Reinhart
Kane Larsson Gionta
Moulson Cal? Foligno

Doesn't look bad, not sure about that 4C spot, but not bad at all. Still think Vesey is a lost cause, but oh well. I see the cup half full, it's who I am. This would be fanfreakingtastic.

Nash RoR Okposo
VeseyEichel Reinhart
Kane Larsson Gionta
Moulson Cal? Foligno

Doesn't look bad, not sure about that 4C spot, but not bad at all. Still think Vesey is a lost cause, but oh well. I see the cup half full, it's who I am. This would be fanfreakingtastic.
- RhinoFan

I'd take it a step further and move Reinhart back to center

Kane/O'Reilly/Ennis
Vesey/Eichel/Okposo
Nash/Reinhart/Gionta
Delo/Larsson/Foligno

You have 2 legitimate threats on each line

I'd take it a step further and move Reinhart back to center

Kane/O'Reilly/Ennis
Vesey/Eichel/Okposo
Nash/Reinhart/Gionta
Delo/Larsson/Foligno

You have 2 legitimate threats on each line
- sbroads24

Except the 4th line obviously

Nash RoR Okposo
VeseyEichel Reinhart
Kane Larsson Gionta
Moulson Cal? Foligno

Doesn't look bad, not sure about that 4C spot, but not bad at all. Still think Vesey is a lost cause, but oh well. I see the cup half full, it's who I am. This would be fanfreakingtastic.
- RhinoFan

I don't think Vesey is a lost cause, He made a principled decision long ago to become a UFA .. He took a lot of heat for that decision and I don't see him backing away from it now. Even after meeting with the sabres next week, he may be 100% sure the sabres are team he wants to play for, he will still wait for Aug 15 and field offers from other teams.

He made a firm commitment to become a UFA and he is sticking to that commitment, I applaud him for that.

I think the Sabres would be a great place for him to play, I doubt any other team or fanbase covets him as much as the Sabres do, hopefully that factors into his decision.

Team rosters seem to be an important factor for him, he will be on ELC for 2 years, after that is his big payday. Evander Kane has 2 more years under contract and the sabres will be looking for a number 1 left winger at that point so ..... Buffalo looks to me like a good fit for him for many reasons.

I don't think Vesey is a lost cause, He made a principled decision long ago to become a UFA .. He took a lot of heat for that decision and I don't see him backing away from it now. Even after meeting with the sabres next week, he may be 100% sure the sabres are team he wants to play for, he will still wait for Aug 15 and field offers from other teams.

He made a firm commitment to become a UFA and he is sticking to that commitment, I applaud him for that.

I think the Sabres would be a great place for him to play, I doubt any other team or fanbase covets him as much as the Sabres do, hopefully that factors into his decision.

Team rosters seem to be an important factor for him, he will be on ELC for 2 years, after that is his big payday. Evander Kane has 2 more years under contract and the sabres will be looking for a number 1 left winger at that point so ..... Buffalo looks to me like a good fit for him for many reasons.
- SabresRush

I agree with you in that I think the Sabres would be a great fit. We need a top 6 LW right now, he's friends with Jack, still in the Northeast, we just signed Okposo and had a decent draft.

Let me play devil's advocate though: Is there any chance this kid just doesn't know where he wants to play? The rosters of every team are nearly done if not completely done. The draft is over. If he goes to UFA then it is to try to get on another team, not to sign with us. We are all offering a max ELC I'd bet so it certainly isn't the money that will sway him.

Therefore: If he was 100% on the Sabres, he should sign so they can move forward knowing he is on the roster. If he wants to explore his options, we know we aren't his #1 choice. Why explore unless you are hoping to sign with someone else? I just don't buy it that he will magically make up his mind on Aug 15th when the information being reviewed will largely be the exact same as what it is now. Again, FA is done, draft done and most trades down between now and next season already. Perhaps a few more, but most likely won't be earth shattering. If scoring is his primary concern, then you are playing with Jack Eichel (what more do you want). We are #2 team on his list or lower, otherwise why wait to August 15th? He didn't swear some oath he would wait, there is nothing stopping him at all.

I guess I was expecting him to sign on the 1st or not at all. At this point I'd be very surprised if he ever puts on the blue and gold.

Nash RoR Okposo
VeseyEichel Reinhart
Kane Larsson Gionta
Moulson Cal? Foligno

Doesn't look bad, not sure about that 4C spot, but not bad at all. Still think Vesey is a lost cause, but oh well. I see the cup half full, it's who I am. This would be fanfreakingtastic.
- RhinoFan

Im not trading Ennis and Girgensons for Nash
They need Cap relief badly
I'm not even giving them one of those guys
A 2nd, at most

Vesey-Eichel-Reinhart
Nash-O'Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Girgensons-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Moulson
Deslauriers

Im not trading Ennis and Girgensons for Nash
They need Cap relief badly
I'm not even giving them one of those guys
A 2nd, at most

Vesey-Eichel-Reinhart
Nash-O'Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Girgensons-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Moulson
Deslauriers
- jdfitz77

Ennis is overrated, and might never be the same. Girgensons is a 3rd liner. If that could get you Nash, the sabres would jump all over that.

Im not trading Ennis and Girgensons for Nash
They need Cap relief badly
I'm not even giving them one of those guys
A 2nd, at most

Vesey-Eichel-Reinhart
Nash-O'Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Girgensons-Ennis
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Moulson
Deslauriers
- jdfitz77

Fair to argue that is an overpayment, but with Ennis already under contract at 4.6 and girgs being a RFA, they would end up paying pretty similar amount to Nash's 7.8M. Wouldn't save them much, just would give them a 2 for 1. Minnesota's 2nd Rounder does sound better to me though.

[quote=RhinoFan]
Therefore: If he was 100% on the Sabres, he should sign so they can move forward knowing he is on the roster. If he wants to explore his options, we know we aren't his #1 choice. Why explore unless you are hoping to sign with someone else?


My feeling is he will wait till Aug 15 regardless .. Even if he knows who the choice will be before that date, that was his intention all along. Wether you want to call it a face saving thing, or sticking to principle. That is his story and he is sticking to it.

Maybe im wrong, maybe he signs on the dotted line next week, that would be awesome. I just don't think he will regardless of how the meeting goes. Especially with so many teams to choose from come Aug 15

Pegula's plane is scheduled to fly into Worcester, MA and back to Buffalo today. 80 layover in Worcester scheduled.

Pegula's plane is scheduled to fly into Worcester, MA and back to Buffalo today. 80 layover in Worcester scheduled.
- stashu

Hmmm what could that mean. Did anybody think Vesey might as to sign in Buf but is saying this 8/15 UFA stuff as a postering tool. I know the salary is fixed at $925k but there is structure,. bonus stipulations and opportunities to negotiate

Pegula's plane is scheduled to fly into Worcester, MA and back to Buffalo today. 80 layover in Worcester scheduled.
- stashu

Went to the SLS pool side last night and seen The Cadillac Three, pretty good if anyone hasn't checked them out. Kind of rocking southern.

One has to wonder who the other teams Vesey is really considering are. The only one that comes to mind is hometown Boston, but they're arguably in worse shape than Buffalo. I'd be surprised to see him turn down the opportunity to play with a friend that's a superstar on a potential playoff team where he'll get a lot of ice time. Who else could possible snag the kid.

Our division's projected line ups currently...

Buffalo:

Kane O’Riley Okposo
Ennis Eichel Reinhart
Foligno Larsson Gionta
Moulson Girgensons Deslauries

Kulkov Risto
McCabe Bogosian
Gorges Franson/Nelson

Boston:

Marchand Krejci Backes
Beleskey Bergron Hayes
Vatarno Spooner Pastrnak
Schaller Accari Nash

Chara McQuaid
Krug Miller
Liles Morrow

Detroit:

Zetterberg Larkin Nqyist
Abdlkader Nielson Franzen
Vanek Helm Jurco
Tatar Sheahan Mantha

DeKeyser Green
Ercisson Kronwall
Smith Marchenko