he was a waste of a Roster space and such a defensive liability he couldn't see the ice in an offensive system. The idea is to maximize your roster not hinder it with under-achievers and risk corroding your locker-room.
- JoeRussomanno

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....

He'd also be a whipping boy in Philly very quickly.
- bmeltzer

How would that make him different from the other 19 whipping boys Lavvy dresses every game?

But the same system they used to win, also made sure they had ZERO fan support. So not only do I hate the franchise as a rival, I despize the fact that a fan base about as fanatical as the Atlanta Thrashers has all those Cups... What a waste.
- RooNosHockey

I think the size of their fanbase has more to do with them being an expansion team in an area that already had like 3 other successful franchises with flags planted here. If there wasn't a Flyers or just a rangers team then NJ would be a beast in terms of fanbase.

Its not semantics though.. He is going to get paid handsomely by some team.. If he was in the 3-4.5 mill range id agree that he would be a 2nd tier guy.. but I honestly think he will see Wisniewski money.
- jak521

How does money determine how talented a guy is?

You see Wideman getting $5M+ ?
- stveshdy

sadly i do..

Over the past 5 seasons he has put up 36 points (13goals), 50 points (13 goals), 30 points (6 goals), 40 points (10 goals), 46 points (11) goals.

53 goals over the past 5 seasons has gotta put him in the top 10 for d-men, or at least close to it.

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

YEa i no doubt KNEW Jagr was a hard worker/good locker room guy, you don't have the success he had in this league without it. I still don't see why we need to pursue Radulov. This is like trying to convince a friend you can't turn a whore into a housewife after he already got burnt by his stripper girlfriend.

Defense is first priority. How many defenseman do you see Homer adding?
- stveshdy

I see him adding 1 big addition. Another draft day trade.

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?

I see him adding one, at most.

Thought for the day - what is the most you would be willing to sacrifice (picks and players) to get Weber?
- Daman

Since were playing fantasy here. I think it would take JvR, Read (or Schenn), Mez, and 1st rounder (could be two 1st).

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?
- Dkos

I don't think he way paid for 2012-2013, and I think when the government abolished slavery that you can't be forced to work.

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

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

I don't think he way paid for 2012-2013, and I think when the government abolished slavery that you can't be forced to work.
- Daman

um huh?

I see him adding 1 big addition. Another draft day trade.
- Jimmygrazz

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

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?
- Dkos

I dont think they have to pay him.. but his cap hit will remain. They will just suspend him.

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?
- Dkos

I was thinking the same thing but I let it go bc its the Bruins and I dont care if it messes their cap up.

Since were playing fantasy here. I think it would take JvR, Read (or Schenn), Mez, and 1st rounder (could be two 1st).
- stveshdy

I think you are in the right ballpark, but I don't see Read and Schenn as interchangeable. In other words, I think Schenn has much more value than Read.

That being said, I still agree that your proposal is somewhat close to what it would take.

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?
- Dkos

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.

I think the size of their fanbase has more to do with them being an expansion team in an area that already had like 3 other successful franchises with flags planted here. If there wasn't a Flyers or just a rangers team then NJ would be a beast in terms of fanbase.
- JoeRussomanno

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...

I dont think they have to pay him.. but his cap hit will remain. They will just suspend him.
- jak521

If he refuses to play shouldn't that void his contract? If I were the Bruins I'd be more concerned about the fact his salary counts against the cap.

um huh?
- Dkos

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?

I think you are in the right ballpark, but I don't see Read and Schenn as interchangeable. In other words, I think Schenn has much more value than Read.

That being said, I still agree that your proposal is somewhat close to what it would take.
- Daman

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.

I'm suprised there isn't more talk about Thomas taking next year off. This blows away his decision to skip the White House visit and that was talked about ad nauseam.

Why are the Bruins OK with it? Isn't it a breach of contract?
- Dkos

The Bruins should be fine personel wise. Rask is more than capable of being a #1 goalie. As far as breach of contract goes, I'm not to sure. I guess not.

are they contenders? Thats part of it. He wants to win again..

Id bet that if the Rangers offered him the role he wants and 3mil.. or the Blue Jackets offered him the role he wants and 5mil.. hed be a Rag.
- jak521

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?

I don't think he way paid for 2012-2013, and I think when the government abolished slavery that you can't be forced to work.
- Daman

Not sure about this slavery part though. Every check I work for seems to never stay in my pocket, maybe that's just extortion then it's a completely different topic, in that case carry on.

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

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.