My cousin was recruited out of Delaware and given a full ride to the Canterbury school in Connecticut. Lots of famous people went there including JFK. Had many scholarships to hockey programs, nothing like Boston college or Michigan but some decent universities. He’s 6’3” a good skater, played a 2 way game.

Point is he had a few concussions and knew he would likely never rise out of the minors. He played against Provorov also. So he decided instead of chasing hockey as a career he would keep his brain intact and become a lawyer. He is interning now and has moved on from Hockey. So I believe the guy. A lot of people have the skill to make it to AHL but know they aren’t destined for much more so they decide to move on. AHL hockey doesn’t pay well.
- youarewrong

Newsflash, you're cousin 'gave up the dream' because he couldn't cut it. If you have a chance to play pro hockey for a living you take it.

My cousin was recruited out of Delaware and given a full ride to the Canterbury school in Connecticut. Lots of famous people went there including JFK. Had many scholarships to hockey programs, nothing like Boston college or Michigan but some decent universities. He’s 6’3” a good skater, played a 2 way game.

Point is he had a few concussions and knew he would likely never rise out of the minors. He played against Provorov also. So he decided instead of chasing hockey as a career he would keep his brain intact and become a lawyer. He is interning now and has moved on from Hockey. So I believe the guy. A lot of people have the skill to make it to AHL but know they aren’t destined for much more so they decide to move on. AHL hockey doesn’t pay well.
- youarewrong

But did he have a decent shot, make quick decisions, and win faceoffs?

Also, anyone who can live out their dream and play any level of pro hockey above ECHL level who doesn't take it is just looking for excuses. Your cousin has a good excuse, but it's still an excuse.

Damn.

I thought they were low on cap space. So wonder if that means Pavelski is gone
- J35Bacher

Let Hayes walk, and sign Pavelksi to 3 years at $8m AAV.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek
Konency-Patrick-Pavelski
JVR-Laughton-Lindblom
Raffl-Vorobyev-Hartman
NAK

Sprinkle in Frost and Farabee as needed.

Right ill guess ill just go back in time get in better shape and make ahl. At this point i dont understand why such a pointless conversation us still going. You dont believe me, move on. What do you guys really expect to get out of this conversation at this point?
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The only think that was pointless was you posting that you have really good skills at an AHL level. As if posting that actually lends any credibility in support of your opinions.

My cousin was recruited out of Delaware and given a full ride to the Canterbury school in Connecticut. Lots of famous people went there including JFK. Had many scholarships to hockey programs, nothing like Boston college or Michigan but some decent universities. He’s 6’3” a good skater, played a 2 way game.

Point is he had a few concussions and knew he would likely never rise out of the minors. He played against Provorov also. So he decided instead of chasing hockey as a career he would keep his brain intact and become a lawyer. He is interning now and has moved on from Hockey. So I believe the guy. A lot of people have the skill to make it to AHL but know they aren’t destined for much more so they decide to move on. AHL hockey doesn’t pay well.
- youarewrong

The actual point is if you never competed on that level, how do you know you have the skills to play at that level? AHL minimum salary last I checked was around 65K. Not a ton of money but you won't be poor either.

Let Hayes walk, and sign Pavelksi to 3 years at $8m AAV.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek
Konency-Patrick-Pavelski
JVR-Laughton-Lindblom
Raffl-Vorobyev-Hartman
NAK

Sprinkle in Frost and Farabee as needed.
- Feanor

Not sure i want that.

Don't you worry about the balls sticking to the thigh?!
- iroc4me2

not when they're the size of BB's

The only think that was pointless was you posting that you have really good skills at an AHL level. As if posting that actually lends any credibility in support of your opinions.
- MJL

I have over 600 career goals in dek hockey. Not sure how that would translate in the AHL.

Not sure i want that.
- J35Bacher

It's a better deal than Hayes for 6 x $6m+.

Hey, he had that time when he was...not completely terrible.

Actually, my lasting impression of Randy Jones came from 05/06. It was late in a game they were losing (Rangers, I think) and he's in the Flyers' zone and both teams are going for a change...there is literally no one within 40 feet of him, and he throws a beautiful cross-ice pass to absolutely no one. Everyone on the Flyers coming off the bench were heading the other way and none of the Rangers had come close to the blue line. He had so much room that he just skated over to it and passed to a teammate, but that play will always be "This is who Randy Jones is," to me.
- jmatchett383

OMFG yes.. that was him. He's from this neck of the woods and I see him now and again. Recently, I was at a kids trampoline park with my daughter while wearing my Flyers jacket as I often do, and some people came up to me and said..excuse me, are you Randy Jones? I laughed and said no, and my wife rolled her eyes and said..dear God there will be no living with him now..

It's a better deal than Hayes for 6 x $6m+.
- Feanor

I really think the Hayes boat has sailed and that's ok if he wants 7 X 7 mil or that range.

My cousin was recruited out of Delaware and given a full ride to the Canterbury school in Connecticut. Lots of famous people went there including JFK. Had many scholarships to hockey programs, nothing like Boston college or Michigan but some decent universities. He’s 6’3” a good skater, played a 2 way game.

Point is he had a few concussions and knew he would likely never rise out of the minors. He played against Provorov also. So he decided instead of chasing hockey as a career he would keep his brain intact and become a lawyer. He is interning now and has moved on from Hockey. So I believe the guy. A lot of people have the skill to make it to AHL but know they aren’t destined for much more so they decide to move on. AHL hockey doesn’t pay well.
- youarewrong

Smart decision by your cousin. To me, the golden ticket for Canadian kids up here is to go to US college on scholarship rather than Maj Junior Hockey. Get an education paid for while playing important hockey, then by the off chance you get a chance to play pro, all the better. Matt Read wasn't drafted but not a bad run he's had.. degree and several years pro with big money.

Sure they did. He went from a 200+ point 80-90 goal scorer to less and less as his career went on. Shooting, passing, and stick handling are not mental skills, they're physical skills. Players retire also when they are completely healthy but just don't have the skill anymore to play at the NHL level. Certainly physical and health issues are also a part of it.
- MJL

Weird take.

The way the game changed has more to do with Gretzky not scoring 200pts into the 90's and 2000's than any loss of skill. Clutch and grab, improved goaltending, the trap, etc.

#99 was leading the league in assists and in the Art Ross running up until his last season. And he cited clutch and grab, fatigue and loss of motivation as the reasons for his retirement.

I've never heard him (or any NHL'er for that matter) say that he retired because the puck skills just weren't there anymore.

You're not entitled to your own opinion if the facts aren't deemed acceptable by the Judge.
- iroc4me2

Objection!

I was a goalie for my fraternity's intramural floor hockey team. With a little more ice on the ground I could have been in the AHL. The floor really limited my ability to have a successful pro career

Weird take.

The way the game changed has more to do with Gretzky not scoring 200pts into the 90's and 2000's than any loss of skill. Clutch and grab, improved goaltending, the trap, etc.

#99 was leading the league in assists and in the Art Ross running up until his last season. And he cited clutch and grab, fatigue and loss of motivation as the reasons for his retirement.

I've never heard him (or any NHL'er for that matter) say that he retired because the puck skills just weren't there anymore.
- Tomahawk

This is disengenuine on your part and you're not looking at the obvious. Gretzky went from being a dominant player that was so far ahead of everyone to the point where he was just among the best. A normal progression. Every player he was playing against and measured against was playing in the same league. Many players have retired early when their skills started to erode.

I can't believe this has to be said, but skills are tied to physical performance...

Saying you still have skills but your body is giving out doesn't make any sense. You need your body to do those skills. Players age, their bodies give out, and their ability to carry out their skills diminish. Part of skills is actually being able to execute said skill. Not a difficult concept

This is disengenuine on your part and you're not looking at the obvious. Gretzky went from being a dominant player that was so far ahead of everyone to the point where he was just among the best. A normal progression. Every player he was playing against and measured against was playing in the same league. Many players have retired early when their skills started to erode.
- MJL

Yeah, Gretzky with a bad back and a couple of steps lost (from a meh skating stride to begin with) fell back to the pack.

But he was skill personified until the end.

I can't believe this has to be said, but skills are tied to physical performance...

Saying you still have skills but your body is giving out doesn't make any sense. You need your body to do those skills. Players age, their bodies give out, and their ability to carry out their skills diminish. Part of skills is actually being able to execute said skill. Not a difficult concept
- bulet13

This!

I can't believe this has to be said, but skills are tied to physical performance...

Saying you still have skills but your body is giving out doesn't make any sense. You need your body to do those skills. Players age, their bodies give out, and their ability to carry out their skills diminish. Part of skills is actually being able to execute said skill. Not a difficult concept
- bulet13

Watch any of those alumni games. The guys can still pass really really well. Some can even stickhandle like they used to.

But the feet are cement, the shot isn't as powerful... those break down over time for sure. And I can't imagine how they feel the next day after the game.

Frank Sev. Now saying it appears that Hayes is closer to signing with Flyers. No guarantee but seems like Flyers made a good pitch/offer.

I say no more Hayes speculation until he signs... anywhere...

Watch any of those alumni games. The guys can still pass really really well. Some can even stickhandle like they used to.

But the feet are cement, the shot isn't as powerful... those break down over time for sure. And I can't imagine how they feel the next day after the game.
- Tomahawk

So passing and stick handling are skills but skating and shooting are not? I was a swimmer almost my whole life and I can still get in the water and have decent form but my speed is long gone. Am I still skilled? These guys playing in alumni games were the best of the best. Sure they can still do some skilled stuff but to say they haven't diminished is absurd. Your skills diminish as you age it's not even really an argument

Frank Sev. Now saying it appears that Hayes is closer to signing with Flyers. No guarantee but seems like Flyers made a good pitch/offer.

I say no more Hayes speculation until he signs... anywhere...
- cdearth23

Ahl is hardly making it but whatever. I dont need to prove anything. Maybe i am overconfident maybe im not. Doesnt matter im 29 and the ship has sailed.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I’m not judging. I’ve never met you and have no reason to doubt you.

I will say though, if you’ve made it to the AHL, in the grand scheme of things you’ve made it on some level. Someone is paying you to play hockey.

Let Hayes walk, and sign Pavelksi to 3 years at $8m AAV.

Giroux-Couturier-Voracek
Konency-Patrick-Pavelski
JVR-Laughton-Lindblom
Raffl-Vorobyev-Hartman
NAK

Sprinkle in Frost and Farabee as needed.
- Feanor

I'd be fine with Pavelski for 3 years but I think it's a mistake to pencil in Patrick in at 2C until he takes the next step.