I was wondering if he could be had with Smith for a package involving Van Riemsdyk, McNeil, and maybe Desi
- ikeane

That would probably be an over payment considering Puempel is not that dissimilar from McNeill tbh. Same age, same draft round (McNeill was higher), similar production in the AHL - just that Puempel has 40 NHL games under his belt where he had like 6 points plus terrible underlying numbers (like relative to a bad Sens team, he was esp bad), but he can't seem to crack a bad Sens roster on the regular. He might do better in a different system and he's probably a good guy to take a chance on, but he's rough around the edges and not necessarily worth 3 other players, two who are proven useful NHLers (even if they are low ranking ones).

I wish the Hawks had picked Shane Prince up when the Sens were selling him - smaller, but better defensively and in transition than Puempel (as many points in half the NHL games).

I posted this on the last thread:

Do you think that the next CBA could bring in a soft cap based on a 50/50 revenue split, AND a luxury tax that allows for a percentage over the cap? Say, A dollar for dollar penalty for anything over the soft cap up to 10%? I don't expect the owners to go for this initially, but I do expect there to be either a strike or a lookout when this CBA is done. Maybe this is something the players can fight for that won't hit the small market teams in the pocketbook, but will allow players to get higher salaries. Besides Chicago, how many teams do you think would go over the soft cap? Would enough owners go for something like this? What if they used 55% of revenues for the owners as the basis for the soft cap?

Kind of goes along with what you're saying; if there was a soft cap, veterans might see bigger contracts. What would the union have to give up to get something like this?
- tvetter

I sure hope so but i don't know. There needs to be something to give teams relief when the cap doesn't rise as quickly as previously projected. The other end of it is to let teams restructure contracts with players or change the buy out rules. I wish the Blackhawks could extend Toews and Kane by a few years and lower their annual cap hits.

I sure hope so but i don't know. There needs to be something to give teams relief when the cap doesn't rise as quickly as previously projected. The other end of it is to let teams restructure contracts with players or change the buy out rules. I wish the Blackhawks could extend Toews and Kane by a few years and lower their annual cap hits.
- matt_ahrens

I would think that unless the owners up the piece of HRR that the players get - increase it from 50% - the only thing a soft cap would do would be to increase the escrow and the escrow give-back that the players would be subject to.

I don't know how the NBA handles it.

Leafs have a bad track record with 4 goal leads.
- JRoenick97

I think in 2010 the Leafs had a 5 goal on the Hawks and wound up loosing inO/T. You really had to be at the UC to see the unbelievable comeback... One game I will always remember.

I think in 2010 the Leafs had a 5 goal on the Hawks and wound up loosing inO/T. You really had to be at the UC to see the unbelievable comeback... One game I will always remember.
- spanky

It was actually the Flames they came back on - Seabrook with the OT winner.

I sure hope so but i don't know. There needs to be something to give teams relief when the cap doesn't rise as quickly as previously projected. The other end of it is to let teams restructure contracts with players or change the buy out rules. I wish the Blackhawks could extend Toews and Kane by a few years and lower their annual cap hits.
- matt_ahrens

h

Just spit balling here but how about if a team resigns a player (let's say the 2nd contract after elc) they get a 10% cap discount? Reward teams that keep their players with a little cap relief.

h

Just spit balling here but how about if a team resigns a player (let's say the 2nd contract after elc) they get a 10% cap discount? Reward teams that keep their players with a little cap relief.
- tyweb69

I like the idea, but it would have to be worded in a way in which teams didn't constantly sign players to one year contracts, then resign them to a "2nd" contract a year later

and other such loopholes

Maple Loafs blew a 4-0 lead and lost last night. Anyone watch that game?? The OT finish was EPIC. Mathews breakaway stoned by Hellebuck and Laine goes the other way and snipes Anderson shelf for the Hattrick GWG in OT. Awesome game and two stars in the making.
- EnzoD

Great no-look pass by Buff to Laine.

Hey, did I hear you on Sirius talking about Buff on the Balckhawk-Vancouvers series of yore?

I sure hope so but i don't know. There needs to be something to give teams relief when the cap doesn't rise as quickly as previously projected. The other end of it is to let teams restructure contracts with players or change the buy out rules. I wish the Blackhawks could extend Toews and Kane by a few years and lower their annual cap hits.
- matt_ahrens

I am a Blackhawks fan, but I have to disagree with the general sentiment on this blog regarding the salary. The salary cap is the best in sports and necessary to the league. Without it you would have teams in big markets and/or deep pockets like Chicago, NY, LA, Toronto having a huge competitive advantage over teams like Columbus, Nashville, Carolina, Tampa etc.... Sure the poor teams could make a run now and then. But ultimately they would be a long shot almost every year. Blackhawk fans have short memories. Sure the Blackhawks would be among the top spenders and have great teams year after year. But remember when Detroit (sucks) and the Rangers were basically buying championship caliber teams with huge payrolls.

Is the cap perfect. Certainly not. There need to be some changes. We can point to Arizona taking on bad contracts. But even then we might give them a couple more years. They are building a young talent base (AKA like the Cubs did).

The NHL is great because the best teams and the middling teams are very very close in talent and they all have a chance once they make the playoffs. The teams that do not make the playoffs are weak, but if they draft/trade well and make smart signings they can turn it around in a few years.

In reality, if Stan trades TvR for a forward they likely won't be any better than Hartman, Schmaltz, Motte or Hinostroza. I think the best approach would be to make a similar move to the Clendening / Forsling type of deal. Look for a solid prospect that is a couple years away from being ready.
- DarthKane

Yeah...I think you are correct in that he return CAP hit that comes with more accomplished is the issue in a TvR give away.

But it isn't the asiest thng for teams to part with drafted prospects either.

After they have the guy under contract and get a real good look at him in the AHL, then the teams know his habits, Hockey IQ, and reaction times and gauge their expectations and optimism fairly quickly.
So finding a very desparate trade partner looking for a more on the verge defender, as they did with Vamncouver & Adam Clendening who is willing to trade a future player with potential seems the tricky part.

You will notice various teams drafted blue liners in the early and mid first, and have decided pretty darn quickly if they are players that they want to commit tall $$$ to long term - that they will be rushing /push defenders down the line.

Hamilton seems unable to handle the Chara physically when he went down, and they weren’t going to pay a young on the job finesse defender in hopes he would evoke further.
Same goes for Reinhardt with Isles the Oilers.
Sure, you want more than on keystone future defender, but if the developing prospect isn’t a high level passing attacking dee-man, and isn’t really going to show a deft shut-down, and some some physicality to go with the bigger body-frame, there is less fit then the past NHL. Earlier example,DelZotto.

I know this commentary doens't fit TvR, who is an adequate NHL ready player, who dosen't hurt his team, reads when to activate, etc.
If you are trading for him you're getting a plug n play guy.

I ma just thinkng a team out there has to be pretty decimated or thin on the back end to offer some big better than our kids return in a trade.

Bad management and bad trades and bad scouting is what also hold back so many teams.

There should be a way to let the big market teams not have to subtract and subtract, but mayve be penalized $$$-wise that in some way goes to the lesser markets.

You are not going to be able to ever sell tickets and sell outs at the current rates and prices in the larger markets.

Give the smaller markets money to spend towards players, and let the bigger markets pay for the opportunity to go over the Cap to keep fan favorites.

Schmaltz addressing his faceoff woes (from The Athletic): “Guys are bigger and stronger, it’s definitely an adjustment,” Schmaltz said after practice on Thursday. “I think just keep working on it and try new strategies and stuff like that. Yeah, it’s something I can improve on, for sure. I think I’ll get better each and every game and just get used to going against stronger guys and quicker sticks and stuff like that. I think it’s something I need to work on. I think that’ll grow over time.”

Drafting early can certainly result in changing the fortunes in smaller market cities, but there is never going to be a consistent draft result year to year.

Take the generation player out of the dynamic, and even then all top five selections can be viewed as equal or certainties.

My point is whether the older players want to come play for you, you need to at very least get eventaul low end NHL guys form yoy drafts.

It was actually the Flames they came back on - Seabrook with the OT winner.
- L_B_R

That game was glorious... i remember it cuz i was out of town, visiting my now wife, when we were in college. I watched the first period and told her i would leave at "x" time unless the hawks started to come back... she was like "oh its 5-0, its over".

by the time that time came up, it was 5-4 and i ended up staying until it ended (still with a 2hour drive home)... lol

She was not amused at the time.

Schmaltz addressing his faceoff woes (from The Athletic): “Guys are bigger and stronger, it’s definitely an adjustment,” Schmaltz said after practice on Thursday. “I think just keep working on it and try new strategies and stuff like that. Yeah, it’s something I can improve on, for sure. I think I’ll get better each and every game and just get used to going against stronger guys and quicker sticks and stuff like that. I think it’s something I need to work on. I think that’ll grow over time.”
- Hank_Greenberg

What's Anisimov's excuse?

Bad management and bad trades and bad scouting is what also hold back so many teams.

There should be a way to let the big market teams not have to subtract and subtract, but mayve be penalized $$$-wise that in some way goes to the lesser markets.

You are not going to be able to ever sell tickets and sell outs at the current rates and prices in the larger markets.

Give the smaller markets money to spend towards players, and let the bigger markets pay for the opportunity to go over the Cap to keep fan favorites.
- wiz1901

Wiz, I very respectfully disagree. Level the playing field. The bigger market teams need to make wise decisions (and tough decisions). Even with this cap system most of the wealthier teams are outspending most of the the poorer teams by millions (in some cases by $10 mil).

What's Anisimov's excuse?
- John Jaeckel

Not enough pickle juice?

Wiz, I very respectfully disagree. Level the playing field. The bigger market teams need to make wise decisions (and tough decisions). Even with this cap system most of the wealthier teams are outspending most of the the poorer teams by millions (in some cases by $10 mil).
- -Doh-

I agree somewhat ,It did suck watching team Like Detoilet buying teams . But this Cap is not working and Is penalizing teams for Drafting well like the HAWKS or making astute trades . I believe some sort of wording regarding players that are drafted by said team should be given a discount . Teams should be reward for drafting well not punished .

Great no-look pass by Buff to Laine.

Hey, did I hear you on Sirius talking about Buff on the Balckhawk-Vancouvers series of yore?
- wiz1901

Most likely that was my Father LOL. He calls into XM Hockey radio all the time.

What's Anisimov's excuse?
- John Jaeckel

He is weak ,I also believe he has been dealing with something over the start of the season . He could also use a little more help from his wingers ..

Most likely that was my Father LOL. He calls into XM Hockey radio all the time.
- EnzoD

Oh yes Buff scoring a hat trick in Vancouver in the playoffs ,then going behind the net arms out looking at nuck fans was the best !!!!

Oh yes Buff scoring a hat trick in Vancouver in the playoffs ,then going behind the net arms out looking at nuck fans was the best !!!!
- oldduffman

Hawks v Nucks Rivaly from 2008-2011 was the most fierce in hockey. Hawks made Bobby Lou their you know what.

What's Anisimov's excuse?
- John Jaeckel

You beat me to it.

He is weak ,I also believe he has been dealing with something over the start of the season . He could also use a little more help from his wingers ..
- oldduffman

Is soft the same as weak?
I see Kruger battle at the dot, don't see that same effort from AA

I agree somewhat ,It did suck watching team Like Detoilet buying teams . But this Cap is not working and Is penalizing teams for Drafting well like the HAWKS or making astute trades . I believe some sort of wording regarding players that are drafted by said team should be given a discount . Teams should be reward for drafting well not punished .
- oldduffman

The reason the cap is not working for the Hawks is because they had star players, generational players, fan favorites nearing free agency that they chose to sign to big long term contracts based on where they thought the cap was going. No one held a gun to their head. Many other teams had similar decisions. The Hawks are not getting penalized for drafting well. They are in a bad position because of contract and salary cap decisions they made. Now posters are begging for relief. If the C$ recovers the cap will rise and we will be out of cap hell. If not there are more tough decisions ahead.