Jeremy Laura: Thoughts on Raymond and some announcement from GM meetings

Can the NHLPA sue the league?

Can the NHLPA sue the league?


- ThatDarnCat

The PA came out last year with some complaints, and were said to be monitoring the team for travel violations. The one thing the NHLPA can do (and has done) is limit cap growth when they’re paying escrow. For the first time since inception, there are journalists talking about “minimal” raises in escrow to be able to raise the cap. If you’re already giving back 20% of your check, how do you feel about a scenario that could cause that to increase? It feels like the NHL would set standards for owners that would stop something like this.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...tt-arena-for-2024-25.html

Here’s the article from PHR. If you go to the bottom, you’ll find the info regarding the land auction that isn’t until next June. If the organization fails to secure the land (which is listed as unlikely) they will have to look at relocation. This is now a bit of a no short term win issue. Once you have the land, how long does it take to get permits and bond approval to build? Some action will be taken by the 2025-26 season. That just starts another countdown if they need to build or move.

Rayzor's come a long way, no doubt. The muscle's helped him get a bit more rough, but he's still kinda being thrown around. He's showing he's going to be a valuable assets to the team. His skating getting better, his shot's more focused if that makes sense. I say 30G will be his best output, 70-80pts when he clicks & puts it all together.

Interesting discussion about escrow. The Chicklets guys spoke to it. Biz is "opinionated" about to say the least. Big discussion about some sort of coverage/benefits for retired and former players. The feeling is there's just not enough support for them despite escrow being what it currently is. Guys are stuck paying medical bills, etc... It's sobering to hear, but I also realize that's coming solely from a player's POV. No doubt this is a much deeper issue, but it deserves more analysis and explanation to fans that want to know. We pay the tickets, the Center Ice fees, the cable fees, the jerseys. When I look at Vladdy struggling to pay his medical bills (I understand the insurance issue in MI have a great impact on the situation, etc...), the league doesn't have something to help him defray costs. Now, I know these guys get paid, but when you take into account escrow, agent fees, taxes, etc...pay may not do enough.

Now, I've no solution, and I know there are MANY points & counter-points to this issue. Which is why I said it deserves more analysis and clarity. These guys are contractors, retirement plans, life-time health care, etc... look to fall on the player; an 18-19 year old kid who may not have had money-savvy parents/guardians, agents/"business managers" who take advantage of them....lots of considerations. It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the media about all of this and how it's slanted by both sides....

Rayzor's come a long way, no doubt. The muscle's helped him get a bit more rough, but he's still kinda being thrown around. He's showing he's going to be a valuable assets to the team. His skating getting better, his shot's more focused if that makes sense. I say 30G will be his best output, 70-80pts when he clicks & puts it all together.

Interesting discussion about escrow. The Chicklets guys spoke to it. Biz is "opinionated" about to say the least. Big discussion about some sort of coverage/benefits for retired and former players. The feeling is there's just not enough support for them despite escrow being what it currently is. Guys are stuck paying medical bills, etc... It's sobering to hear, but I also realize that's coming solely from a player's POV. No doubt this is a much deeper issue, but it deserves more analysis and explanation to fans that want to know. We pay the tickets, the Center Ice fees, the cable fees, the jerseys. When I look at Vladdy struggling to pay his medical bills (I understand the insurance issue in MI have a great impact on the situation, etc...), the league doesn't have something to help him defray costs. Now, I know these guys get paid, but when you take into account escrow, agent fees, taxes, etc...pay may not do enough.

Now, I've no solution, and I know there are MANY points & counter-points to this issue. Which is why I said it deserves more analysis and clarity. These guys are contractors, retirement plans, life-time health care, etc... look to fall on the player; an 18-19 year old kid who may not have had money-savvy parents/guardians, agents/"business managers" who take advantage of them....lots of considerations. It'll be interesting to see what comes out in the media about all of this and how it's slanted by both sides....
- mcmastermike1968

The players lost big on the last CBA with the 50/50. One player told me you had to have a few hundred games before you qualify for a pension. It was years ago at his 1000th game. I think where the pa and the league really fail players is transition. One day, you’re all of a sudden not a hockey player. They’re getting better with follow up calls, but there’s a weird amount of “no idea what to do”. I think Drew Miller was doing insurance or real estate at some point. They should set up a better transitioning program, even if just to connect players with local teams where they can help out the coaching staff. Something to keep them connected to the game in some way.

Reimer in net tonight! Larkin is a game time decision. LGRW's!!!!!!!!

The players lost big on the last CBA with the 50/50. One player told me you had to have a few hundred games before you qualify for a pension. It was years ago at his 1000th game. I think where the pa and the league really fail players is transition. One day, you’re all of a sudden not a hockey player. They’re getting better with follow up calls, but there’s a weird amount of “no idea what to do”. I think Drew Miller was doing insurance or real estate at some point. They should set up a better transitioning program, even if just to connect players with local teams where they can help out the coaching staff. Something to keep them connected to the game in some way.
- Jeremy Laura

I have no clue what clubs tell these guys as rookies (at all levels...), but if there's no effort to help them transition into and out of the given league, there's a major issue. No one plays forever, not every player becomes a coach or scout. Heck, as I was going through my medical retirement process, the Army had a bunch of stuff we had to do. May not have been the best (progressively getting better....), but it was something to help us. I gotta go into the Chicklets pod listing, but the guys had a retired G (Hanlon, I *think* EDIT: Glenn Healy, episode 482...great listen...) talking about a program he set up for guys having issues to help them get over the issue and help transition when needed....WITHOUT recognition of the NHL or other leagues. Silly there's no stomach to help these guys. Who's the former Wing #1 that had severe brain issues & lives on the streets in Alberta (I think, it IS in Canada)?

To me, this is all about taking care of players/PEOPLE...and more importantly, the FAMILIES. Players have issues (we all do) and who pays the price??? Families do. An untold & unrecognized price (I see it all the time in the Army.....franking sad).

SO, Kostin.....big guy, sort of a project right? With his playing time in SJS, he's knocked down 6pts in 5 games.......How did he suddenly become a points-producing "bottom 6" guy? Gee, maybe there was a magical pill he took on the flight from Metro to SJS? Wonder if, juuuuuuust maybe, that pill could be given to the Wings for tonight's game?!?!?!??! Or is something else.....ohhhh, I dunno.....

MAYBE HE WASN'T EMPLOYED ACCORDING TO HIS STRENGTHS

Coaching. Knowing the strengths & weaknesses of the team. Lacking. Full Stop.

Looks like Eddy draws back in tonight. WAS lost, so we have them by 1pt, they have 1 game in-hand.

SO, Kostin.....big guy, sort of a project right? With his playing time in SJS, he's knocked down 6pts in 5 games.......How did he suddenly become a points-producing "bottom 6" guy? Gee, maybe there was a magical pill he took on the flight from Metro to SJS? Wonder if, juuuuuuust maybe, that pill could be given to the Wings for tonight's game?!?!?!??! Or is something else.....ohhhh, I dunno.....

MAYBE HE WASN'T EMPLOYED ACCORDING TO HIS STRENGTHS

Coaching. Knowing the strengths & weaknesses of the team. Lacking. Full Stop.
- mcmastermike1968

Settle down, Kostin is benefitting from the new home syndrome, his production should go down in a short while. He put up good #'s for Detroit in his first few games and then disappeared. Also he was hurt for a lot of his time in Detroit. I think he will do better in SJ, but they will still lose. He is not a game changer. And besides, he gets to see his pal Gudas more often!

If 2020 were re-drafted, Raymond goes #2, so Yzerman did great with who was available at #4. I think if Detroit had won the lottery that year, they would have taken Stutzle, but Raymond at 4 was a great pick. Same goes for 2019, I think Seider goes #2 in a re-draft, so again, a very good pick at #6.

It's easy to forget Raymond jumped right from the SHL to the big leagues. He's only in his 3rd year. What is his ceiling? He's probably not going to be an 80 or 90 point player, but if he can consistently hit the mid 60s to mid 70s, he's going to be a key player for years to come. I think for Raymond and Debrincat, they need playmakers around them. Debrincat needs someone constantly feeding him, and with Raymond's release, he needs the same. When either of them are on the ice, they need to be fed like they are Hungry Hungry Hippos. Perhaps Kasper and Danielson will be those guys. I could see a puck wizard like Lombardi being a feeder too. Their top two lines should be a digger for the corners, a setup man, and a sniper.

If 2020 were re-drafted, Raymond goes #2, so Yzerman did great with who was available at #4. I think if Detroit had won the lottery that year, they would have taken Stutzle, but Raymond at 4 was a great pick. Same goes for 2019, I think Seider goes #2 in a re-draft, so again, a very good pick at #6.

It's easy to forget Raymond jumped right from the SHL to the big leagues. He's only in his 3rd year. What is his ceiling? He's probably not going to be an 80 or 90 point player, but if he can consistently hit the mid 60s to mid 70s, he's going to be a key player for years to come. I think for Raymond and Debrincat, they need playmakers around them. Debrincat needs someone constantly feeding him, and with Raymond's release, he needs the same. When either of them are on the ice, they need to be fed like they are Hungry Hungry Hippos. Perhaps Kasper and Danielson will be those guys. I could see a puck wizard like Lombardi being a feeder too. Their top two lines should be a digger for the corners, a setup man, and a sniper.
- bluelineenforcer

Yeah, it's funny looking back at drafts and thinking (at the time): Why the HECK did we not take HIM?!?!?!? then seeing how both players (the one we took vs the one we FELT should have been taken...) have evolved. Drafting is, in my opinion, the most hazard-filled event in hockey. There's literally ZERO clue what someone is going to do, and for how long. Did the kid like being drafted by this team or is he pissed and waiting to either have his rights traded, or to lose on the ability to sign and go back into being a FA? 2d-guessing is always fun to read, for sure.

That being said, I'm hoping Kasper/Danielson will be the legit 1C super-star that is able to do all of the great and wonderful C things to help elevate the team into the atmosphere of hot-SCF contenders. We do need another C that can carry the mail, if nothing else - Larkin's absence has solidified that for the all who watch the team.... As these kids mature, we'll definitely have a sense of what we have and what our gaps are. You hit the nail on the head, though: The Cat, Rayzor......they need to be fed, for sure.....we need someone who keeps the feed-trough full!

Settle down, Kostin is benefitting from the new home syndrome, his production should go down in a short while. He put up good #'s for Detroit in his first few games and then disappeared. Also he was hurt for a lot of his time in Detroit. I think he will do better in SJ, but they will still lose. He is not a game changer. And besides, he gets to see his pal Gudas more often!
- HenryHockey

Howdy, H!!

I hear what you're saying, and valid point. I think the thing that kills me with these losing skids is that it feels Blash-like: It'll fix itself - kinda mentality. I liked having Kostin, big guy, grinder, drives the net hard, good shot. He made hay before he came to Detroit, sat on his duff, then made hay when he left Detroit. Why the outlier? Does that make sense?

Just frustrating that he could have been more for us if he'd been better employed (aside from the Gudas crunch on his sternum!!!). Now, I WHOLLY agree with the cap dump, so I'm not upset he's gone; just wish he'd been better deployed for the team.