I think your center depth is solid, provided Backes plays limited minutes; he's got a lot of miles on him.

You'll be a bubble team for the short-term, but you're not getting younger, particularly on defense.

However, Rask is still one of the better tenders in the league, so you'll do ok, just need to make sure you don't pull a Vancouver and let your aging talent wallow in mediocrity; should start rebuilding sooner rather than later, move some bodies for a good return while you can, acquire picks, and draft well.
- gravyface

The difference between the Canucks and the Bruins is that the Bruins had their rebuild already. Not the 10 year rebuild that the Oilers and Leafs have had but a minor rebuild.

According to?

Lou should stand firm on this if his beliefs are that players need to earn a bonus. Players usually cave. Larsson did.
- Bruiniak

Ummm, that's what a bonus is. It is earned if he reaches the levels. We're not talking about handing out free money.

The difference between the Canucks and the Bruins is that the Bruins had their rebuild already. Not the 10 year rebuild that the Oilers and Leafs have had but a minor rebuild.
- Bruiniak

Time for a new rebuild.

According to?

Lou should stand firm on this if his beliefs are that players need to earn a bonus. Players usually cave. Larsson did.
- Bruiniak

Not a 1st overall?

Ummm, that's what a bonus is. It is earned if he reaches the levels. We're not talking about handing out free money.
- burn

It is free money. They are ridiculously easy to achieve.

Does this guy seriously not understand that the #1 pick from 2016 gets the same deal as the #1 pick from 2015. That the #1 pick doesn't get less than th #2 or #3 pick?

Does this guy seriously not understand that the #1 pick from 2016 gets the same deal as the #1 pick from 2015. That the #1 pick doesn't get less than th #2 or #3 pick?
- burn

Ridiculous. Why is that an expectation? That's my issue.

All teams manage their contracts differently.

Does this guy seriously not understand that the #1 pick from 2016 gets the same deal as the #1 pick from 2015. That the #1 pick doesn't get less than th #2 or #3 pick?
- burn

Also, do not call me this guy.

It is free money. They are ridiculously easy to achieve.
- Bruiniak

So he reached them..... But they're not earned?


That's great work.

Ridiculous. Why is that an expectation? That's my issue.

All teams manage their contracts differently.
- Bruiniak

Why?


Is this for real?

lottery pick this year

Backes was a 25-30 goal/ 55-60 pts player in a tough division and conference. Backes will be a productive and physical player in a division that isn't all that physical. Backes was made to be a Bruin.
- Bruiniak

"Was" you got that right

Also, do not call me this guy.
- Bruiniak

Girl?

So he reached them..... But they're not earned?


That's great work.
- burn

All I said was that I understand why Lou doesn't want to include bonuses in an ELC contract. It's his beliefs. You probably don't know this but the two parties also have to agree to all the terms in the contract. The player and his agent will push for easy bonuses such as: games played, rookie all-star game, rookie of the month... while Lou will push for bonuses that much harder to achieve such as: scoring 50 pts, 25 goals... This isn't your standard contract contrary to what people are saying.

Can anyone help burn understand that not all contracts are the same?

"Was" you got that right
- Santo_44

Now you are just trying too hard.

Backes scored that in 2014-2015. He had an injury filled season last year. He's back to 100%.

Girl?
- burn

I'm a guy. I just don't like to be refered to as "this guy". It's very condescending.

All I said was that I understand why Lou doesn't want to include bonuses in an ELC contract. It's his beliefs. You probably don't know this but the two parties also have to agree to all the terms in the contract. The player and his agent will push for easy bonuses such as: games played, rookie all-star game, rookie of the month... while Lou will push for bonuses that much harder to achieve such as: scoring 50 pts, 25 goals... This isn't your standard contract contrary to what people are saying.
- Bruiniak

If last year and the year before and the year before and.......... All got those bonuses then this years #1 does as well.

If this years #2 got x bonus, then the guy picked higher can't and shouldn't get less.

I really don't think you understand the bonus structures you're talking about.

If last year and the year before and the year before and.......... All got those bonuses then this years #1 does as well.

If this years #2 got x bonus, then the guy picked higher can't and shouldn't get less.
- burn

and he won't get less, Lou can talk a good as much as he wants but the Leafs need Matthews at camp

Can anyone help burn understand that not all contracts are the same?
- Bruiniak

Can you show me where/when the last time #1 didn't get those bonuses?

No, eh... Didn't think so

and he won't get less, Lou can talk a good as much as he wants but the Leafs need Matthews at camp
- Symba007

I'm not worried. Hel get signed. All these leaks and stories..... But yet leafs aren't leaking anything anyone. So I'm not sure I buy much of anything that is talked about in the rumors right now.

I'm a guy. I just don't like to be refered to as "this guy". It's very condescending.
- Bruiniak

Tough break.

If last year and the year before and the year before and.......... All got those bonuses then this years #1 does as well.

If this years #2 got x bonus, then the guy picked higher can't and shouldn't get less.

I really don't think you understand the bonus structures you're talking about.
- burn

I don't think you understand bonuses either. A certain company might offer incentives to their employees while a better employee might get (frank) all from his company because they do things differently.

Now you are just trying too hard.

Backes scored that in 2014-2015. He had an injury filled season last year. He's back to 100%.
- Bruiniak

No I'm not. Players start to decline at age 32. Exceptions for superstars of course. For players like him it's downhill from here.

Can you show me where/when the last time #1 didn't get those bonuses?

No, eh... Didn't think so
- burn

Again. I asked you several times why this mattered? I'm sure it hasn't happened yet but why could it not happen?