1) Learn to use punctuation.

2) Guys like Lindholm actually underproduced last season based on the amount of offense they created.
- PepinoPamplemousse

1) No I absolutely refuse..................................

2)I'm not sure how you create offense but don't produce. Had you said created a lot of possession for limited production I could have followed but offense and production are synonymous so you can't have 1 without the other. Going off the assumption that you meant he under-produced(notice the punctuation) based on the amount of possession they created then there's really guarantee an increase in production just because the possession is good, there are a lot of average players that generate good possession but don't produce tangible offense.

3) Sorry if I offended you but with the limited exposure I've had to the players on the roster I just don't see much talent and personally will be very surprised to see them duplicate last seasons results.

I agree GMRF picks up the phone instead of the offer sheet. That route always comes back to bite you in the buttocks!!!

Canes also have a lot of good prospects that could become good NHL players as RFA in the near future. So I don't want him to go that route either, but give TB a call!!!

I would offer our 1st, rags 2nd, & devils 3rd, for Kucherov, & listen to any counter offer.
- rocheccw

I'd agree with that.

Mika probably has arbitration rights and needs a raise next year.

Brassard's AAV is higher than his actual salary. But yeah it's a very stupid trade.
- PepinoPamplemousse

According to capfriendly.com both his AAV and his salary for 2016-2017 are 5M. It does drop to 3.5M the last 2 years of the contract but in the short term they actually added 1.75M in expense for this season since Zibanejad's 2016-2017 salary is 3.25M/ The added cap hit really shouldn't matter since both teams have ample space for the current season.

I stopped reading at Bruce Brudou being a good coach. He lost OV and the Caps which were very talented and accomplished nothing under his tenure, he goes to ANA and sucks there. Same with the Ducks, good team accomplished nothing. He should not be employed in the NHL at this point in his career.

According to capfriendly.com both his AAV and his salary for 2016-2017 are 5M. It does drop to 3.5M the last 2 years of the contract but in the short term they actually added 1.75M in expense for this season since Zibanejad's 2016-2017 salary is 3.25M/ The added cap hit really shouldn't matter since both teams have ample space for the current season.
- jaydogg1974

Yes, but it's a going forward thing. Zibanejad will need a raise and Melnyk doesn't want to pay it.

I stopped reading at Bruce Brudou being a good coach. He lost OV and the Caps which were very talented and accomplished nothing under his tenure, he goes to ANA and sucks there. Same with the Ducks, good team accomplished nothing. He should not be employed in the NHL at this point in his career.
- sammy87

interesting

I'm leaning on this being a good deal for the rangers, but I think it occurred for two reasons. Brassard is locked in at a low actual salary. And preference for centers over wings.

That being said Rangers are getting younger and pick up a 2nd round pick. For a team needing to get younger both are big deals. Rangers basically traded away a prepaid contract to get younger. Which if you have NY money thats a deal you do all the time.

LOL man, this guy is a joke sometime. If he think STL and LA haven't changed much then he's clearly not paying attention. Losing Backes and Brower without replacing them is staying the same? Losing Lucic without replacing him is staying the same?

Oookie dokie then.

Yes, but it's a going forward thing. Zibanejad will need a raise and Melnyk doesn't want to pay it.
- PepinoPamplemousse

Valid point. Just a little strange that if Melnyk is struggling financially he would spend more now even if it were going to save him some in the future.

Valid point. Just a little strange that if Melnyk is struggling financially he would spend more now even if it were going to save him some in the future.
- jaydogg1974

That is why the trade happened today. Brassard just cashed $2 million of the $5 owed to him this year in the form of a signing bonus.

So Ottawa is really only paying him 3, 3.5, 3.5.

Actually think they did a pretty good deal. For the next 3 years I'd call these guys roughly equal players. Sens saved about $5-6 million at the costs of a 2nd round pick. Actually think Brassard might be slightly better over that time period.

Big gain for NYR is getting a guy this young who has core potential.

According to capfriendly.com both his AAV and his salary for 2016-2017 are 5M. It does drop to 3.5M the last 2 years of the contract but in the short term they actually added 1.75M in expense for this season since Zibanejad's 2016-2017 salary is 3.25M/ The added cap hit really shouldn't matter since both teams have ample space for the current season.
- jaydogg1974

$2million in bonuses were already paid out to Brassard so Ottawa is saving money this year with the trade

$2million in bonuses were already paid out to Brassard so Ottawa is saving money this year with the trade
- willi

Saving money means nothing unless they have a self-imposed cap. Ottawa just double their cap hit.

Zibanejad is younger and a few different attributes aside, this is largely a lateral move.

NYR makes out like bandits because they get the younger and cheaper version plus a 2nd rounder.

Saving money means nothing unless they have a self-imposed cap. Ottawa just double their cap hit.

Zibanejad is younger and a few different attributes aside, this is largely a lateral move.

NYR makes out like bandits because they get the younger and cheaper version plus a 2nd rounder.
- Rinosaur

Ottawa doesn't spend to the cap though. Last year they had 6 mil free. So adding cap doesn't matter if they aren't spending close to the limit.

Ottawa doesn't spend to the cap though. Last year they had 6 mil free. So adding cap doesn't matter if they aren't spending close to the limit.
- Guile

Adding to the cap always matters.

The going rate for free agency seems to be about $1M for every ten points. Bonino is certainly going to improve on his 29 points from last year playing with Hagelin and Kessel. $4-5M looks to be about 40-50 points and that is about where I would expect or hope that Bonino gets with those two as his wingers.

Having said that I would like to see Hagelin get some playing time with Sid. Sheary can be considered a poor mans Hagelin. The two can switch positions and not greatly effect either line.

Adding to the cap always matters.
- Rinosaur

Ottawa clearly is a budget team and not a cap team. The cap savings are also only one year. The budget savings are a 3 year thing as the guy they traded will like be 5.5-6 on his next contract.

You could call this a win-win for both teams. Nyr gets to use their financial muscle to significantly improve their team. I believe they are the most profitable franchise so 5-8 in cash savings over 3 years is kind of meaningless. They should really front load as many contracts as possible so they can lower the overall cap hit and find them in more situations where they can trade a vet to a budget team and get younger. Players prefer getting cash earlier so you can lower the overall salary by doing that.

Surprised we don't see more of this in other sports. If the Yankees offered us a package for mccutcheon that included a 15-20/year in cash that could be interesting and improve our team. Then we could plug meadows/bell into an outfield rotation and add the pitching we need if we respect the money. I throughout 15-20 because that is probably about what he's underpaid compared to what signing him Ufa would run.

Ottawa doesn't spend to the cap though. Last year they had 6 mil free. So adding cap doesn't matter if they aren't spending close to the limit.
- Guile

Ottawa is basically trying to put together a team that can make the playoffs. Budget issues are keeping them from making the right hockey decisions to build a contender. Their goalie might be an issue but if he has an ok season they might have enough to get a bottom seed.

Kessel goes to Toronto with the cup. Please note surgically repaired right hand.

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...s-hospital-204845660.html

Kessel goes to Toronto with the cup. Please note surgically repaired right hand.

http://sports.yahoo.com/n...s-hospital-204845660.html
- powerhouse

Amanda Kessel drinking from the Cup is the hottest thing you'll see on the internet today.

Rangers probably one this trade but contracts aside, Brassard is the better player right now, imo. Mika never imressed me but admittedly have only seen him in small samples.

Rangers probably one this trade but contracts aside, Brassard is the better player right now, imo. Mika never imressed me but admittedly have only seen him in small samples.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Brassard is a superior player no doubt. I like this deal for Ottawa tbh. Brassard is also a playoff performer and is not Old. Bobby Ryan just got his centerman to play with.

Brassard is a superior player no doubt. I like this deal for Ottawa tbh. Brassard is also a playoff performer and is not Old. Bobby Ryan just got his centerman to play with.
- Barnaby36

Superior? No way. Brassard marginally better offensively while Zibanejad is marginally better defensively.

These are fairly lateral moves.

Superior? No way. Brassard marginally better offensively while Zibanejad is marginally better defensively.

These are fairly lateral moves.
- Rinosaur

Haha what evidence do you have to suggest Zibanejad is marginally better defensively?

Brassard is a superior player no doubt. I like this deal for Ottawa tbh. Brassard is also a playoff performer and is not Old. Bobby Ryan just got his centerman to play with.
- Barnaby36

I agree. When you just look at the two players I believe him to be the better one. It's when you factor in age, Zib possibly getting better (no guarantee), the 2nd round pick and contracts that I lightly scratch my head about this trade. I dont think its that much of a landslide for the Rags as people are making it out to be though.

Haha what evidence do you have to suggest Zibanejad is marginally better defensively?
- YuenglingJagr

I'm wondering that as well.