What is your hang-up with "front-loaded contracts"?
- Jethro09

I think you will get your answer from everyone when the league is locked out again October because 20+ teams (including Toronto and Montreal) do not or cannot offer them.

Who cares if they are "front-loaded"? What significance does it have if the contracts are front-loaded?
- Jethro09

It means a player can get 10-20m dollars up front for year one of a contract, it's a huge advantage for corporate teams willing to absorb that much red ink, plus once that money is paid if the player is a failure he can be traded much easier because he has the bulk of his cash already (Smyth, Gomez, Drury, Richards,) regardless of the cap hit.

You keep mentioning these front-loaded contracts in your posts as if they are evil. They are clearly becoming popular among NHL GM's in the NHL. Its the way teams are doing business.
- Jethro09

Like I wrote over 20 teams cannot make such offers. Ehrhoff got 10m of his 40m for 2011-12 alone, Brad Richard got a 20m dollar check for 2011-12.

The NHL is not a game of what corporation can carry the most red ink or hide their Wade Redden's in the AHL.

And these contracts make it much harder for all the teams that cannot front-load which is why Los Angeles can take a Richards or Carter after the Comcast Flyers paid off the bulk of the biggest parts of the contracts.

The Kings won only six more games than the Isles and scored nine less goals, they were an unlikely 8th seed.

The sprinkled in Carter and Richards, two front-loaded ten plus year disaster contracts from Philadelphia (one via Columbus for Jack Johnson) Ed Snider kicked off the Flyers because he needed to pay another goalie front-loaded to not make any big saves. Lombardi went through a lot of coaches, his team was barely an 8th seed that struggled.

Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn for Richards was a terrible trade. You don't trade Jack Johnson and a conditional first round pick.

Lombardi did his Milbury-like moves and it paid off, many professional media felt he would be fired if he did not make the playoffs.
- NYI

The kings also gave up 76 less goals than the isles, had a guy by the name of jonathan quick play out of his mind all year, a defenseman named drew doughty command the blue line, a captain who was on the trading block named dustin brown step up his game and led by example.
The kings were underachieving the majority of the year until sutter took over as coach, and carter was acquired from the blue jackets. So you're basically trying to make an argument that the kings were just slightly better than the isles is bar none one the dumbest things I have ever heard. The kings are not run by a bunch of clowns like wang and snow.

The kings also gave up 76 less goals than the isles, had a guy by the name of jonathan quick play out of his mind all year, a defenseman named drew doughty command the blue line, a captain who was on the trading block named dustin brown step up his game and led by example.
The kings were underachieving the majority of the year until sutter took over as coach, and carter was acquired from the blue jackets. So you're basically trying to make an argument that the kings were just slightly better than the isles is bar none one the dumbest things I have ever heard. The kings are not run by a bunch of clowns like wang and snow.
- The Iceman

Just wait, more to come

All draft picks are a crap shoot........5 years later, its time our GM finally puts his touches on this team, and doesnt go for the status quo move, year after year. Garth needs to stop hiding behind the rebuild term, and has to finally manage the team. Anyone (ourselves included) can draft a "possible" NHLer from the draft. A real GM decides what holes must be filled and goes out and does it. This team needs 2 or 3 vet NHLers and they will make the playoffs. Sign one and trade for one.........obviously the trading for one will require to give up some assets, but its time. How anyone can say otherwise does not truly understand whats going on.

The truth is, the isles will simply draft the best player avail, whoever that is. ITs not because thats the best move for the team, its the easiest move (without sticking your neck out and having to be accountable), and its the cheapest.........thats the bottom line.
- kindlyrick

Maybe so, but I do think that at this point, it is better for the organization to use the #4 overall selection to take Ryan Murray (as I believe he will be the best available at that spot, based upon who is currently selecting ahead of the Isles) that to trade that pick for one established NHL veteran. Top pair d-men are nearly impossible to obtain in trades and the Isles can't get anybody good on the UFA market. They need to draft and develop top-pair talent.

Maybe I'm a glass half-empty guy, but I don't think the Isles are close to being a contender as currently constructed. They have no scoring outside of JT, MM and to a lesser extent Grabs. PAP may not even be back. All the guys who were supposed to be the secondary scorers (see Bailey, KO, Nielsen, etc.) didn't score at all until after the season was essentially lost and the playoffs were out of reach. there are only three "D" under contract and two of the open spots are likely to go to kids like Donovan, de Haan or Murray (if picked). I think they are more than two solid veterans away from being a playoff team, let alone a contender.

For me, I don't move the #4 overall pick with the team so many pieces away from being a contender. Just my opinion.

The kings were underachieving the majority of the year until sutter took over as coach, and carter was acquired from the blue jackets. So you're basically trying to make an argument that the kings were just slightly better than the isles is bar none one the dumbest things I have ever heard. The kings are not run by a bunch of clowns like wang and snow.
- The Iceman

The Kings were only fourteen points better than the Islanders who could not hold a lead to save their lives, they were never in a position to draft a Drew Doughty.

The Kings only missed the playoffs six years in a row with their clowns, who fired Terry Murray, Crawford.

Stop selling two opening round losses since 2001-02 as some kind of brilliant ownership.

The Kings were only fourteen points better than the Islanders who could not hold a lead to save their lives, they were never in a position to draft a Drew Doughty.

The Kings only missed the playoffs six years in a row with their clowns, who fired Terry Murray, Crawford.

Stop selling two opening round losses since 2001-02 as some kind of brilliant ownership.
- NYI

How about winning the Stanley Cup? Could you sell that as brilliant ownership?

How about winning the Stanley Cup? Could you sell that as brilliant ownership?
- Cptmjl

Maybe a year from now I get to ask you that same question about Wang and Snow if they are an 8th seed and win the cup.

No doubt you won't be here that day.

Maybe so, but I do think that at this point, it is better for the organization to use the #4 overall selection to take Ryan Murray (as I believe he will be the best available at that spot, based upon who is currently selecting ahead of the Isles) that to trade that pick for one established NHL veteran. Top pair d-men are nearly impossible to obtain in trades and the Isles can't get anybody good on the UFA market. They need to draft and develop top-pair talent.

Maybe I'm a glass half-empty guy, but I don't think the Isles are close to being a contender as currently constructed. They have no scoring outside of JT, MM and to a lesser extent Grabs. PAP may not even be back. All the guys who were supposed to be the secondary scorers (see Bailey, KO, Nielsen, etc.) didn't score at all until after the season was essentially lost and the playoffs were out of reach. there are only three "D" under contract and two of the open spots are likely to go to kids like Donovan, de Haan or Murray (if picked). I think they are more than two solid veterans away from being a playoff team, let alone a contender.

For me, I don't move the #4 overall pick with the team so many pieces away from being a contender. Just my opinion.
- Jethro09

Agreed.. The 2nd or 3rd round picks, yes. You go out and trade for Ballard and/or a STL Defensemen or one from WPG. You don't know need big names, you need to create NHL depth. All this talk about injuries and players not developing the right way. Instead of putting 3 kids on the blue line and letting them all learn on the fly, why not add some NHL proven guys with secondary picks.
My issue is that it does not seem Cappy has a defensive plan that the kids grasp. Too much scrambling and too much of "I don't want the puck, you take it."

Move up tp get Murray!!!He's the real deal...
- kear20

i dunno if i'm making a trade i'd rather trade for an established player...

Maybe a year from now I get to ask you that same question about Wang and Snow if they are an 8th seed and win the cup.

No doubt you won't be here that day.
- NYI

No doubt that won't happen, no worries.

The Kings were only fourteen points better than the Islanders who could not hold a lead to save their lives, they were never in a position to draft a Drew Doughty.

The Kings only missed the playoffs six years in a row with their clowns, who fired Terry Murray, Crawford.

Stop selling two opening round losses since 2001-02 as some kind of brilliant ownership.
- NYI

Only 14 points (it was 16, but that's not really important)? If the Isles had 14 more points, they'd have jumped 7 spots in the Eastern Conference standings...that's a huge gap in today's "everyone gets a point" NHL. The standings are closer than they have ever been, and that's been by design to manufacture more competition and closer races. It's not uncommon to be in 11th in your conference today and still right in the thick of the race in the closing weeks of the season. In fact, that said, if you're essentially out of contention in November like the Isles have been the last two years in today's NHL, then you have some serious obstacles to overcome as a team.

Again, there's plenty of hope for the coming seasons, but it's going to take sound management, not burying our heads in the sand saying, "Oh man, if only AMac wasn't injured for a week, we could have made up 30+ points in the standings and been battling the Rangers and Canucks for the President's Trophy!"

Agreed.. The 2nd or 3rd round picks, yes. You go out and trade for Ballard and/or a STL Defensemen or one from WPG. You don't know need big names, you need to create NHL depth. All this talk about injuries and players not developing the right way. Instead of putting 3 kids on the blue line and letting them all learn on the fly, why not add some NHL proven guys with secondary picks.
My issue is that it does not seem Cappy has a defensive plan that the kids grasp. Too much scrambling and too much of "I don't want the puck, you take it."
- brodydog29

Seems two other NHL organizations decided Ballard was not the answer, with Vancouver likely being the third. Fair to write his offense is not going to help them win.

What kids on defense did Jack Capuano have this year with Mottau, Eaton, Staios, Jurcina, who Al Arbour could not get anything out of.

Hamonic and MacDonald did not look like Capuano hurt them, Hamonic was a plus player on this team.

Maybe so, but I do think that at this point, it is better for the organization to use the #4 overall selection to take Ryan Murray (as I believe he will be the best available at that spot, based upon who is currently selecting ahead of the Isles) that to trade that pick for one established NHL veteran. Top pair d-men are nearly impossible to obtain in trades and the Isles can't get anybody good on the UFA market. They need to draft and develop top-pair talent.

Maybe I'm a glass half-empty guy, but I don't think the Isles are close to being a contender as currently constructed. They have no scoring outside of JT, MM and to a lesser extent Grabs. PAP may not even be back. All the guys who were supposed to be the secondary scorers (see Bailey, KO, Nielsen, etc.) didn't score at all until after the season was essentially lost and the playoffs were out of reach. there are only three "D" under contract and two of the open spots are likely to go to kids like Donovan, de Haan or Murray (if picked). I think they are more than two solid veterans away from being a playoff team, let alone a contender.

For me, I don't move the #4 overall pick with the team so many pieces away from being a contender. Just my opinion.
- Jethro09

Agreed, we are far away from making any type of playoffs without adding other pieces, if Snow an Wang are waiting for our own players to develop, it will be a while, which i believe is Wangs idea......

Only 14 points (it was 16, but that's not really important)? If the Isles had 14 more points, they'd have jumped 7 spots in the Eastern Conference standings...that's a huge gap in today's "everyone gets a point" NHL. The standings are closer than they have ever been, and that's been by design to manufacture more competition and closer races. It's not uncommon to be in 11th in your conference today and still right in the thick of the race in the closing weeks of the season. In fact, that said, if you're essentially out of contention in November like the Isles have been the last two years in today's NHL, then you have some serious obstacles to overcome as a team.

Again, there's plenty of hope for the coming seasons, but it's going to take sound management, not burying our heads in the sand saying, "Oh man, if only AMac wasn't injured for a week, we could have made up 30+ points in the standings and been battling the Rangers and Canucks for the President's Trophy!"
- UIF[/quote]
There will always be the people that make these ridiculous statements.

Seems two other NHL organizations decided Ballard was not the answer, with Vancouver likely being the third. Fair to write his offense is not going to help them win.

What kids on defense did Jack Capuano have this year with Mottau, Eaton, Staios, Jurcina, who Al Arbour could not get anything out of.

Hamonic and MacDonald did not look like Capuano hurt them, Hamonic was a plus player on this team.
- NYI

and whose idea was it to have these guys on the team? Defending Capuano, whats next? Man, if nothing else you're entertaining

Only 14 points (it was 16, but that's not really important)? If the Isles had 14 more points, they'd have jumped 7 spots in the Eastern Conference standings...that's a huge gap in today's "everyone gets a point" NHL. The standings are closer than they have ever been, and that's been by design to manufacture more competition and closer races. It's not uncommon to be in 11th in your conference today and still right in the thick of the race in the closing weeks of the season. In fact, that said, if you're essentially out of contention in November like the Isles have been the last two years in today's NHL, then you have some serious obstacles to overcome as a team.
- UIF

I agree but would add every year is different. The 2010-11 Islanders lost because they never got to put Wisniewski with Streit, and because Mottau was just that bad a signing combined with 620 man games lost.

That team was better when the slower defenders all got hurt, and the faster defenders got more of a chance, this year they all came back.

They lost this season because they replaced Hillen, Gervais and Martinek with returning Mottau, Eaton, Staios who cannot skate, hit or produce any offense with Jurcina playing to his career resume of being a turnover machine.

Signing Staios to play with Streit was the worst decision of Snow's career, it's like putting Weight on Tavares wing and expecting production.

The difference between winning and losing in this league is a bounce or two, the 2010-11 Islanders lost 30 games by two goals (open nets) or less.

It was the same story in 2011-12 year. The 3-0 game in Colorado, the 2-0 Caps game. The puck over the glass against San Jose, the points and games were there even with this flawed defense.

Ok, tell me how Ballard really helps here if he did not help other teams and cannot score. Can he hit like a truck, clear pucks, fight, skate and setup a pp so Streit does not have three guys key on him?

All I read is he's not very good, tell me what I'm not seeing?

Agreed, we are far away from making any type of playoffs without adding other pieces, if Snow an Wang are waiting for our own players to develop, it will be a while, which i believe is Wangs idea......
- Ur Not Me

Wangs idea is to get an arena built within his own city, thats it. He could give a rats ass about this team unfortunately.

Wangs idea is to get an arena built within his own city, thats it. He could give a rats ass about this team unfortunately.
- Cptmjl

So why did he spend hundreds of millions on players when the last owner (a huge developer) decided after ten minutes he wanted to move the team from Nassau because there was no deal to be had?

So why did Wang agree to a deal last summer with no development rights? Why did he wait until 2004 after Nassau said they were broke and they suggested a development which is when he brought on Rechler?

Edmonton wants their development and are getting it. Phoenix new owner is getting a 17m dollar check from Glendale to manage a new building while Wang pays for his sublease in an old building.

So why did he spend hundreds of millions on players when the last owner (a huge developer) decided after ten minutes he wanted to move the team from Nassau because there was no deal to be had?

So why did Wang agree to a deal last summer with no development rights? Why did he wait until 2004 after Nassau said they were broke and they suggested a development which is when he brought on Rechler?

Edmonton wants their development and are getting it. Phoenix new owner is getting a 17m dollar check from Glendale to manage a new building while Wang pays for his sublease in an old building.
- NYI

He has to reach the floor, he still has to pay 18 million to do so this coming season. Are you going to somehow twist that into him caring about the team?

Congrats to Kings.. they waited 45 years for a cup and finally got one. Second time an American captain hoisted the cup.

I guess it's safe to say NYI is the straw that stirs the drink around here? This dude has to be a lawyer, a politician or both.

I agree but would add every year is different. The 2010-11 Islanders lost because they never got to put Wisniewski with Streit, and because Mottau was just that bad a signing combined with 620 man games lost.

That team was better when the slower defenders all got hurt, and the faster defenders got more of a chance, this year they all came back.

They lost this season because they replaced Hillen, Gervais and Martinek with returning Mottau, Eaton, Staios who cannot skate, hit or produce any offense with Jurcina playing to his career resume of being a turnover machine.

Signing Staios to play with Streit was the worst decision of Snow's career, it's like putting Weight on Tavares wing and expecting production.

The difference between winning and losing in this league is a bounce or two, the 2010-11 Islanders lost 30 games by two goals (open nets) or less.

It was the same story in 2011-12 year. The 3-0 game in Colorado, the 2-0 Caps game. The puck over the glass against San Jose, the points and games were there even with this flawed defense.

Ok, tell me how Ballard really helps here if he did not help other teams and cannot score. Can he hit like a truck, clear pucks, fight, skate and setup a pp so Streit does not have three guys key on him?

All I read is he's not very good, tell me what I'm not seeing?
- NYI

Really? That's why they lost? To the second one, whose fault is that?

I guess it's safe to say NYI is the straw that stirs the drink around here? This dude has to be a lawyer, a politician or both.
- potvin05

- Cptmjl

All I know is that we were only 3 games under .500 in today's NHL the way it's presently constructed.
If we weren't going to have a work stoppage this year, it'd be safe to say we're a prime Cup contender this season.

The best part of watching game six has been getting to look at the blond in camera shot everytime they show Deboer on the Devils' bench.
- Jethro09

she was blonde?!?!

i started from the waist and moved up...didnt quite make it to her face....what i can tell you is shes a DD, her work was done by Dr. David Kim, her nipples are the size of an average cup-coaster, bra was from victoria secret, july issue, page 34, and last but certainly not least and shouldnt be lost in all of this is that she has enough milk to save 4 countries from starvation.