It doesn't look like an entry level deal though. From what I read, it's a straight $3.775mil for next season. No bonuses or anything.
- Maxbone

I think every deal has to be entry level for your first contract.

(frank) the Flames are stupid.

James Mirtle ‏ @mirtle

Flames have signed centre Roman Cervenka to a one-year deal for $3.775-million. Was in the KHL and they believe he can be top six in NHL.
- Lahey

haha wasn't thoreson a top liner in the khl?

I think every deal has to be entry level for your first contract.
- Lahey

It says "one year, one way contract"...Globe and Mail being "it". That means guaranteed. Doesn't sound like an entry level to me. I'll keep digging.

So you're saying Yakupov is Leaf and Newton is Staal? Lol, even my six year old would laugh. Stupid analogy.
- GuyLaDouche

No ... you are totally missing the point and its not surprising. Someone pointed out that Yakupov was a more highly thought of prospect than Staal. We are talking two totally different players separated by seven years. The point is just because someone is a higher rated prospect doesn't mean its going to translate into more success in the NHL. Its not hard to figure that out. It's pretty foolish to think that way.

In 1993 Alexander Daigle was drafted number one by the Ottawa Senators. He was this guy that was supposed to have all the potential in the world, a difference makers for Ottawa. He was thought of as a better prospect than anyone else in that draft. Chris Pronger was second. Who's career turned out better? Hell, Daigle's potential and was thought of as a better prospect in his draft year than Staal. Staal's career is better and really not close.

Bottom line ... when one of your posters comes on and compares prospect rankings of two players and says because Yakupov is ranked higher, therefore he is destined to be better than Staal, then I can respond with examples that went the other way.

haha wasn't thoreson a top liner in the khl?
- Killbot460

yep

Whether its hockey or football or baseball or basketball, the point is the same. It's not too hard to figure out. If you need someone to explain it to you, ask your six year old kid.
- Oneonta Penguin

It's like trading your departments 3rd best accountant for the president's award winner at Harvard.

So, we are now going back six or seven years to compare prospect rankings as ammo? One is proven in the NHL, while the other isn't. I'm not one for going with the guy people who says has the potential to be a superstar (one that hasn't played a single game in the NHL or KHL) over a 23-year old who has proven to be one of the best two-way forwards in the game today. Hell, he was two years into his professional career.

No, Pittsburgh shouldn't have to have Edmonton to add a prospect - same with Edmonton fans clamering that Pittsburgh needs to add something - especially seeing the names of Despres, Morrow, Harrington or Bennett. That isn't fair value either.

Ryan Leaf was a far more highly regarded prospect than Cam Newton. How did that turn out?

We can go on with this song and dance forever. Its pointless because there isn't a match.
- Oneonta Penguin

I just think if Staal is traded you're going to be shocked at what the return is, some of the stuff I've seen on here is ridiculous. You may find someone who will over pay but I doubt it with the way prospects are coveted in the NHL now. I do see your point with Staal being established but as of now he is an established third line center with the potential of being a second line center whose contract is up next year, anyone who says he is a first line center is grasping at straws.

No ... you are totally missing the point and its not surprising. Someone pointed out that Yakupov was a more highly thought of prospect than Staal. We are talking two totally different players separated by seven years. The point is just because someone is a higher rated prospect doesn't mean its going to translate into more success in the NHL. Its not hard to figure that out. It's pretty foolish to think that way.

In 1993 Alexander Daigle was drafted number one by the Ottawa Senators. He was this guy that was supposed to have all the potential in the world, a difference makers for Ottawa. He was thought of as a better prospect than anyone else in that draft. Chris Pronger was second. Who's career turned out better? Hell, Daigle's potential and was thought of as a better prospect in his draft year than Staal. Staal's career is better and really not close.

Bottom line ... when one of your posters comes on and compares prospect rankings of two players and says because Yakupov is ranked higher, therefore he is destined to be better than Staal, then I can respond with examples that went the other way.
- Oneonta Penguin

I said the first bolded statement.


I did not in any way say the second bolded statement.

No ... you are totally missing the point and its not surprising. Someone pointed out that Yakupov was a more highly thought of prospect than Staal. We are talking two totally different players separated by seven years. The point is just because someone is a higher rated prospect doesn't mean its going to translate into more success in the NHL. Its not hard to figure that out. It's pretty foolish to think that way.

In 1993 Alexander Daigle was drafted number one by the Ottawa Senators. He was this guy that was supposed to have all the potential in the world, a difference makers for Ottawa. He was thought of as a better prospect than anyone else in that draft. Chris Pronger was second. Who's career turned out better? Hell, Daigle's potential and was thought of as a better prospect in his draft year than Staal. Staal's career is better and really not close.

Bottom line ... when one of your posters comes on and compares prospect rankings of two players and says because Yakupov is ranked higher, therefore he is destined to be better than Staal, then I can respond with examples that went the other way.
- Oneonta Penguin

You are responding with Stepan and Daigle, two players in the last twenty years, I'll take those odds.

Nice to see that the Flamers will continue to be competitive.. and all in while their vets continue to re-visit the fountain of youth in hopes by adding an expensive unknown they will gain entry into the promised land or in this case another 9 or 10th place... Feaster is a genious

I said the first bolded statement.


I did not in any way say the second bolded statement.
- Morris

Let me help you both:

Yakupov will turn into a better NHL player than Jordan Staal is. He'll be a 40goal guy and will be a game changer. Staal would be a good #2 center for most teams in the league. 50-60 point guy who also plays sound defensively. In other words, nothing spectacular.

mc79hockey ‏ @mc79hockey

Cervenka's contract is just an ELC with all the bonuses, right?

Kent Wilson ‏ @Kent_Wilson

Yup RT @mc79hockey: Cervenka's contract is just an ELC with all the bonuses, right?

I'm assuming the globe as usual knows poop about the CBA

Let me help you both:

Yakupov will turn into a better NHL player than Jordan Staal is. He'll be a 40goal guy and will be a game changer. Staal would be a good #2 center for most teams in the league. 50-60 point guy who also plays sound defensively. In other words, nothing spectacular.
- Maxbone

Oh yeah that really smooths everything out

In truth the main sticking point for me is that five years ago Pens fans would have asked for the moon for any of their top 5 picks, and would have expected whoever they were acquiring would be around for more than one season. 5 years later and the attitude is that top #1 picks are just as likely to be Patrick Stefan as they are Jordan Staal, let alone any better.

Until any pens fan can give me a list of 5 players they would have traded one of their top 5 picks for ONE season of, I'm not buying that they're looking at things from as objective a perspective as they claim.

"The owners of the San Jose Sharks gave general manager Doug Wilson a vote of confidence to make changes after a disappointing early playoff exit." from TSN


I am sure most of you read this but I wonder what are some of your thoughts? Thornton to TO might be an option... Marleau is expensive but???

"The owners of the San Jose Sharks gave general manager Doug Wilson a vote of confidence to make changes after a disappointing early playoff exit." from TSN


I am sure most of you read this but I wonder what are some of your thoughts? Thornton to TO might be an option... Marleau is expensive but???
- saskoil21

Thornton to TO is gonna happen imo. I've been thinking that before the playoffs

No ... you are totally missing the point and its not surprising. Someone pointed out that Yakupov was a more highly thought of prospect than Staal. We are talking two totally different players separated by seven years. The point is just because someone is a higher rated prospect doesn't mean its going to translate into more success in the NHL. Its not hard to figure that out. It's pretty foolish to think that way.

In 1993 Alexander Daigle was drafted number one by the Ottawa Senators. He was this guy that was supposed to have all the potential in the world, a difference makers for Ottawa. He was thought of as a better prospect than anyone else in that draft. Chris Pronger was second. Who's career turned out better? Hell, Daigle's potential and was thought of as a better prospect in his draft year than Staal. Staal's career is better and really not close.

Bottom line ... when one of your posters comes on and compares prospect rankings of two players and says because Yakupov is ranked higher, therefore he is destined to be better than Staal, then I can respond with examples that went the other way.
- Oneonta Penguin

He did have all the potential in the world. By his own admission he later said he didn't have the passion for the game. Something Yakupov has in spades. Daigle became the first overall pick on skill alone. If the guy had an actual desire to compete he would have panned out much better for Ottawa. Sad he wasted his talents.

Staal is not worth Yakupov. Pretty much a consensus anywhere except in Pittsburgh.

"The owners of the San Jose Sharks gave general manager Doug Wilson a vote of confidence to make changes after a disappointing early playoff exit." from TSN


I am sure most of you read this but I wonder what are some of your thoughts? Thornton to TO might be an option... Marleau is expensive but???
- saskoil21

I don't see either of those guys coming here if they are dealt. I'm not sure where they fit. TO is looking and so is CGY, but cap space is tight. Other problem is SJ isn't going to want a package of picks/prospect. They'll want a quality player coming back.

CBJ would've made sense if they weren't so horrible, because they have a star player that could be dealt.

He did have all the potential in the world. By his own admission he later said he didn't have the passion for the game. Something Yakupov has in spades. Daigle became the first overall pick on skill alone. If the guy had an actual desire to compete he would have panned out much better for Ottawa. Sad he wasted his talents.

Staal is not worth Yakupov. Pretty much a consensus anywhere except in Pittsburgh.
- marty11

Staal could be worth Yakupov. It's a ridiculously balsy move, but a trade with those two players as central pieces could be worked out.

One season of Staal is absolutely not worth Yakupov.

I don't see either of those guys coming here if they are dealt. I'm not sure where they fit. TO is looking and so is CGY, but cap space is tight. Other problem is SJ isn't going to want a package of picks/prospect. They'll want a quality player coming back.

CBJ would've made sense if they weren't so horrible, because they have a star player that could be dealt.
- Lahey

I know you and others were mentioning Clowe.. but he sounds to be way more expensive than Stewart or Tootoo from what I hear... Pavelski provides secondary scoring and grit.. so who exactly goes for what???

I am not sure why there remains the Stall and Yakupov debate...Its quite apparent you will not get anywhere...

I am not sure why there remains the Stall and Yakupov debate...Its quite apparent you will not get anywhere...
- saskoil21

I'm just on here for your avatar

Staal could be worth Yakupov. It's a ridiculously balsy move, but a trade with those two players as central pieces could be worked out.

One season of Staal is absolutely not worth Yakupov.
- Morris

I meant straight up. Doubt you will find any GM willing to do this trade on its own. As for foundations of a bigger trade, yes I could see that.

No ... you are totally missing the point and its not surprising. Someone pointed out that Yakupov was a more highly thought of prospect than Staal. We are talking two totally different players separated by seven years. The point is just because someone is a higher rated prospect doesn't mean its going to translate into more success in the NHL. Its not hard to figure that out. It's pretty foolish to think that way.

In 1993 Alexander Daigle was drafted number one by the Ottawa Senators. He was this guy that was supposed to have all the potential in the world, a difference makers for Ottawa. He was thought of as a better prospect than anyone else in that draft. Chris Pronger was second. Who's career turned out better? Hell, Daigle's potential and was thought of as a better prospect in his draft year than Staal. Staal's career is better and really not close.

Bottom line ... when one of your posters comes on and compares prospect rankings of two players and says because Yakupov is ranked higher, therefore he is destined to be better than Staal, then I can respond with examples that went the other way.
- Oneonta Penguin

So essentially, the same sort of diatribes we heard when we drafted Hall and Nugent-Hopkins, just more obscure, unrelated and long winded. Paraphrased: "Daigle and Stefan, LOLZ!"

So essentially, the same sort of diatribes we heard when we drafted Hall and Nugent-Hopkins, just more obscure, unrelated and long winded. Paraphrased: "Daigle and Stefan, LOLZ!"

- GuyLaDouche

you'd think the Pittsburgh Penguins of all fanbases wouldn't be so quick to devalue draft picks.

you'd think the Pittsburgh Penguins of all fanbases wouldn't be so quick to devalue draft picks.
- Morris

Like any fan base, the rules change when it stands to benefit them.