How can you possibly know for sure what Sparks' ceiling is?
- buddzy

He put up sub-par numbers playing 17 games on a last-placed team when he was 21.

Bust.

an interesting bit on Zaitsev, Ozhaginov, Rosen, Borgman etc. and any European players.

I'm listening to a podcast (1y old) and apparently under current CBA, Leafs could just 'retire' Zaitsev to Europe after x years - still pay him, but no cap hit.
I never thought that was possible, but that obviously creates quite an interesting dynamic.
I think that only goes for under35 year olds, so not applicable for Kovalchuk situation.

Any thoughts?
- MaximusAurelius

I've seen enough of Sparks (AHL/NHL) to be certain he's not an NHL starter.
- MaximusAurelius

Scouts, GMs and everyone involved in Hockey have proven over an over nobody really knows what goalies will end up being good NHL players..But Max knows

He's not wrong though. Those movies are unbelievably bad. They didn't age well. Even the original Star Trek is WAY better.
- Aetherial

If you're watching the original cut, they aged great.

If you're watching the re-cuts with the poopty CGI and random scenes added in, they did not.

- AdamFrench

Hey Adam, who should we look out for on the Texas Stars roster during Calder cup?

(I think you're fairly up to date on prospects, if my assumption is correct)

Hey Adam, who should we look out for on the Texas Stars roster during Calder cup?

(I think you're fairly up to date on prospects, if my assumption is correct)
- buddzy

Gemel Smith, a decent center with skill and also, because he is from Toronto and probably wants to show off to family and friends and Julius Honka, because I think he is good.

- AdamFrench

that's what i thought.
this is a podcast from the Athletic Toronto from beginning last year. go to 20:45 into the podcast.
they talk about loaning a European to his 'home city' - still paying the guy, but no cap hit.
https://soundcloud.com/th...ic-maple-leafs-episode-19
i agree this seems very odd, but I would think the people involved with The Athletic would be checking their facts on this??

that's what i thought.
this is a podcast from the Athletic Toronto from beginning last year. go to 20:45 into the podcast.
they talk about loaning a European to his 'home city' - still paying the guy, but no cap hit.
https://soundcloud.com/th...ic-maple-leafs-episode-19
i agree this seems very odd, but I would think the people involved with The Athletic would be checking their facts on this??
- MaximusAurelius

That makes sense on the entry level deal, but not on a full blown NHL contract.

That makes sense on the entry level deal, but not on a full blown NHL contract.
- AdamFrench

they were talking about it in reference to season 5 / 6 on Zaitsev new contract..

EDIT: LA doesn't carry a caphit either for Voynov, right?

Hey Adam, who should we look out for on the Texas Stars roster during Calder cup?

(I think you're fairly up to date on prospects, if my assumption is correct)
- buddzy

They're a veteran team. Good prospects are Hintz, Guryanov (he's alright, not amazing) and Richardinson (if he counts, he's entering bust territory).

they were talking about it in reference to season 5 / 6 on Zaitsev new contract..
- MaximusAurelius

How does that make any sense though? That would mean every single European player in history could be "loaned" to their "hometown."

Edit for Voynov : This contract was terminated (Sep 17, 2015)

How does that make any sense though? That would mean every single European player in history could be "loaned" to their "hometown."
- AdamFrench

There would be some loopholes, GM's can work around; Give someone a 5 year - $50M deal and in them middle of it, when you are running out of cap space, "loan" them to their hometown team

Gemel Smith, a decent center with skill and also, because he is from Toronto and probably wants to show off to family and friends and Julius Honka, because I think he is good.
- PatC80

Definitely remember seeing Honka this season with Dallas. Don't see him or Smith on the roster though via Texas' website. Maybe not updated

They're a veteran team. Good prospects are Hintz, Guryanov (he's alright, not amazing) and Richardinson (if he counts, he's entering bust territory).
- AdamFrench

Yeah I noticed that when glancing at their roster briefly. A lot of old guys and minimal early-mid 90's births

How does that make any sense though? That would mean every single European player in history could be "loaned" to their "hometown."
- AdamFrench

I agree with you.

I've looked a bit more into this, and it seems the old CBA it was possible 100% (Huet loaned by Chicago to European team to avoid cap troubles) but now max cap relief of 950k / year..

So I guess these guys at The Athletic didn't get their facts straight (I don't understand this though - professional 'reporters' mentioning facts which are not true).

Nice....Sparks for Hanifin

The Bozek will be the goalie.
- AdamFrench

teh Bozek

How does that make any sense though? That would mean every single European player in history could be "loaned" to their "hometown."

Edit for Voynov : This contract was terminated (Sep 17, 2015)
- AdamFrench

On Voynov: I've always found it an interesting case how the NHL permitted to terminate both Richards' and Voynov's contracts with very limited caphits..
I imagine alot of teams being all over that.

Goaltending is not the main issue with the Leafs. There is a strong correlation between teams playing well and the performance of the goaltenders. Andersen is slightly better than the average starter, the list attached puts him one spot behind Price in 11th. I agree largely with this list and getting better d-men is a much bigger priority at this point.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...s-for-2017-18/c-282860450
- winsix

Very true
Need better smarter D.

teh Bozek
- Aetherial

Hyman - Matthews - Marner
Hyman - JT - Nylander
Hyman - Kadri - Kapanen
Hyman - Hyman - Hyman

Bozek
Hyman

I don't think they can trade what they have for anything much better than Zaitsev unless its Nylander or Marner going the other way.
- bobbyisno1

Dubas:

We won't need to make a trade, Marinicin puts up Norris like #'s.

Trades for Cody Franson



*cries*

Definitely remember seeing Honka this season with Dallas. Don't see him or Smith on the roster though via Texas' website. Maybe not updated
- buddzy

Could be wrong, but I thought Dallas sent him back down to Texas for the AHL playoffs;

Very true
Need better smarter D.
- Fakepartofme

Pretty solid list. Crawford seems a little high. Price seems a little low.

still always right on the goalies
- MaximusAurelius

Haven't been close at all.

I agree with you.

I've looked a bit more into this, and it seems the old CBA it was possible 100% (Huet loaned by Chicago to European team to avoid cap troubles) but now max cap relief of 950k / year..

So I guess these guys at The Athletic didn't get their facts straight (I don't understand this though - professional 'reporters' mentioning facts which are not true).
- MaximusAurelius

Key words professional reporters...