But again, worst that could happen is he doesnt work out, and you waive him, and he goes bye-bye, just like Zherdev. It's not like you force the guy to stay. You dont offer him a NMC that would keep him on the roster. He either plays right, and gets along with the team, or you send him to the Phantoms, and when he refuses to report.... c-ya. Doesnt hurt the cap, or the team anymore... But he could still learn a different system, and be a good guy. You never know... Did you think Jagr would have been a hard worker and great locker-room guy before you saw it first hand here? All I remember hearing is Jagr was a cancer in Ny and Washington....
- RooNosHockey

I don't know where you heard that about him and NY, was never the case

I put Read or Schenn because which ever player they decided to take may make the difference on how many 1st rounders they give up.
- stveshdy

no biggy - I am more or less agreeing with you.

And I would do that deal.

It doesnt. My point is that saying a guy is a 2nd tier talent is fine. I wont argue how you rank someone.. how they get paid is a different way of ranking a guy.

I think he gets paid well this off season. I also dont think I would pay a 2nd tier d-man 5+ mil
- jak521

Me either.

How does money determine how talented a guy is?
- RooNosHockey

Is how good a player is, any factor in how much he get's paid?

no biggy - I am more or less agreeing with you.

And I would do that deal.
- Daman

Its a risk but one that is probably worth an elite defenseman.

OK. Let me get this straight.

Top 6. Check.
PP time. Check
Right handed center. Check.
Contender. Check.
Not about the money. Check.

So the reason he balked at the Pens "agreement" was because Crosby, Malkin and Staal are all left handed shots?
- 77rams

You can read his interview if you would like.

“I think it would be a problem if I would play in Pittsburgh with Crosby or Malkin,” Jagr said. "I’d have to play on the other side, when I’ve played all my life on the right side.”

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.c...turn-to-nhl#ixzz1wr2gUywv

You can't legally force someone to work. Period.

So are you suggesting that if Thomas takes a year off that the Bruins should sue him for monetary compensation? Uh, huh?
- Daman

When did I say he should or could be forced to work? The Bruins and Thomas agreed on a contract. Thomas is breaking that agreement. Why should the Bruins have to suffer? Why should his salary count against the cap?

edit:

what monetary compensation? I thought the Bruins didn't have to pay him?

When did I say he should or could be forced to work? The Bruins and Thomas agreed on a contract. Thomas is breaking that agreement. Why should the Bruins have to suffer? Why should his salary count against the cap?

edit:

what monetary compensation? I thought the Bruins didn't have to pay him?
- Dkos

Agreed. It's screwed up if it happens.

I haven't bothered look into it too much and when I first heard it took it like a grain of salt. wasn't sure if it was official or not. He probably plans on retiring next year and would rather surrender his position now to let Rask play. If the Bruins have expressed they are ok with this to him that's one thing but I don't see how this exempts his 5mill from the cap which is a huge amount. I suppose they don't have to pay him either. I believe I've told people a player over 36 should be allowed to retire if on a contract and it shouldn't count towards the cap but nope NO PLAYER would ever do that.
- JoeRussomanno

Bruins will just waive him, then he will be off the books. Of course he wont report the the minors... Even if he has a NMC, he can waive that if he doesnt plan to play and they can move the cap off the books. What does it matter to Thomas. If they aren't going to give him greif if he waives the NMC, then how would it effect him. Bruins will be even better off for it...

off topic, did folks see that Gags is playing in game 3? He is one guy who's name i really want to see on the cup.

When did I say he should or could be forced to work? The Bruins and Thomas agreed on a contract. Thomas is breaking that agreement. Why should the Bruins have to suffer? Why should his salary count against the cap?

edit:

what monetary compensation? I thought the Bruins didn't have to pay him?
- Dkos

I took your comment as to "are the Bruins ok with it" and "is it a breach of contract" as an implication as to their legal options.

I guess your new question is if a team isn't ok with it, do they get cap relief?

I don't know the answer to that.

When did I say he should or could be forced to work? The Bruins and Thomas agreed on a contract. Thomas is breaking that agreement. Why should the Bruins have to suffer? Why should his salary count against the cap?

edit:

what monetary compensation? I thought the Bruins didn't have to pay him?
- Dkos

It wouldnt normally, but he is signed to a +35 contract.

Agreed. It's screwed up if it happens.
- MJL

It just doesn't seem right and I don't get why the Bruins seem OK with it.

Not necessarily true. A lot of times fans that have multiple teams in the local area will see fans switch to the "winning" team. Delaware for example. We are split between Baltimore, Washington, and Philly. If you go to like York PA.... When I was growing up it was always Flyers, and Eagles... Now its Steelers and Penguins.... With all of the winning the Devils have done, they should have been able to steel at least some of the fans from Rangers and Flyers...
- RooNosHockey

When you say a lot of times, you are not referring to a majority of people either. I have often made jokes about the north Jersey crowd switching back and forth between the Debbies and Rags but even I know that's a vast minority and surely not enough to carry a team in terms of fan support.

The Devils have stolen fans but the problem is they are division rival. I also would like if this damn re-alignment is to take place, for them to be taken out of a division or conference with the Flyers that way yea i too could have an alternate but local team to root for

With the Steelers, that's my team and for people like me we don't want to hear the bullpoop from the Eagles,Redskins,Giants,Cowboys crowd. Also they aren't that geographically far away that I can't easily follow the local coverage and go see them play if I want to. Nowadays though sports are getting more and more overatted, I'm okay with Baseball and hockey, the seasons overlap nicely and carry me through the break between seasons of each sport. Football is getting just meh for me and I;ve seen my team win it a bunch of times. Also the Philly sports dogma gets really played out for a lot of people, myself included. But that really has nothing to do with why the Devils are struggling.

Will that make the team better? Who is this one big addition?
- stveshdy

I think if he goes out and gets a Weber or an Enstrom, or something of that nature it will definitely make the team better.

It just doesn't seem right and I don't get why the Bruins seem OK with it.
- Dkos

They one a cup last year... maybe they have some sort of deal in place with him... Idk.. seems odd..

I took your comment as to "are the Bruins ok with it" and "is it a breach of contract" as an implication as to their legal options.

I guess your new question is if a team isn't ok with it, do they get cap relief?

I don't know the answer to that.
- Daman

I guess my question is...how can the Bruins be OK with this and if he breaks his contract why should the Bruins be penalized?

Bruins will just waive him, then he will be off the books. Of course he wont report the the minors... Even if he has a NMC, he can waive that if he doesnt plan to play and they can move the cap off the books. What does it matter to Thomas. If they aren't going to give him greif if he waives the NMC, then how would it effect him. Bruins will be even better off for it...
- RooNosHockey

Can you waive someone who is refusing to play? Not sure how that works. Is this right?

Bruins will just waive him, then he will be off the books. Of course he wont report the the minors... Even if he has a NMC, he can waive that if he doesnt plan to play and they can move the cap off the books. What does it matter to Thomas. If they aren't going to give him greif if he waives the NMC, then how would it effect him. Bruins will be even better off for it...
- RooNosHockey

Thomas is signed to a 35+ contract. Waiving him will not remove him from the Bruins Cap.

Why are we even talking about signing offensive guys? We had the 3rd most goals for in the league last year and may only lose Jagr from that lineup. Homer is going after D and going after it hard.
- Jimmygrazz

we definitely have plenty of offense, need to balance it out.

Thomas is signed to a 35+ contract. Waiving him will not remove him from the Bruins Cap.
- MJL

Fairly positive thats the kicker in this whole thing.

No it's not the worst that could happen. The worst that could happen is that you could have made a different move for a more stable player that could've worked out and not have to waive him by bye.
Radulov is not at the point where he would even be eligible for a NMC, so that is irrelevant. Jagr was a proven NHL player with a pedigree and being one of the top players in the history of the game. Comparing Radulov to the situation with Jagr in any way is a poor comparison to put it lightly.
- MJL

I'm not telling the Flyers to go hang all thier post-season moves on getting Radulov... I'm just saying, if you can get him cheap it would be a low risk, high reward type of gamble.

You say they can use that money for someone else. I dont see a lot of guys out there other then Parise and Semin that can do what Radulov currently can, and still have his potential up-side. I also don't think you will get either of those players, and I know you wont be able to sign them anywhere near a low as you might be able to get Radulov for.

If you are able to sign him for a decent price, then you will be able to trade some offense like Bill said for the Defense you need. And it also keeps him off the Rangers, since they are looking in getting him.

Thomas is signed to a 35+ contract. Waiving him will not remove him from the Bruins Cap.
- MJL

so he is going to count against their cap then correct?

Can you waive someone who is refusing to play? Not sure how that works. Is this right?
- Dkos

No it is not right. Thomas is literally screwing the Bruins.

the other thing that doesn't sit well with me is Thomas' comment that he wants to concentrate on family, friends and faith. Why can't he do that and still keep his job? I do. I'm willing to bet he has a lot more free time per year than I do.