I think Star players will just tell the rest of the mid levels players that if they want to get paid, then just get rid of the cap and especially escrow. I do not see a rift happening within the players union. To the point of players getting paid 10 million, the same argument can be made towards the owners. Their profit margins are rarely disclosed and they seem to make the same argument as other industries that say the only way they can survive is through cutbacks and cost cutting.
- TheUltimateJet

Sp which would you rather be - a player whose main worry is whether he gets $8 mill or $9 mill - or the owner who has to worry about everything from A-Z including making a profit? Tell me.

The salary cap - it's here to stay - trust me. Sorry fans of big market teams! Get rid of salary cap and you get rid of teams - good-bye well paying jobs.

Sp which would you rather be - a player whose main worry is whether he gets $8 mill or $9 mill - or the owner who has to worry about everything from A-Z including making a profit? Tell me.

The salary cap - it's here to stay - trust me. Sorry fans of big market teams! Get rid of salary cap and you get rid of teams - good-bye well paying jobs.
- grahamzky

In today's age where players become businesses themselves, they too have lots to worry about. Star players have brands they are responsible for marketing, many donate big money to charities. Almost all, have tones of debt to repay to family and friends for the years that were put into getting them to a big stage. Players also have a limited amount of time to capitalize on their limited careers. Most NHL players are lucky if they play for more than a year. They always have to be on top of their games or else someone is always hungry to take their jobs.

And, to be honest I would rather be an owner, whereas I can pass down the family business to my kids. Most owners already have tones of money before they purchase a franchise. Smart owners hire the right people to ensure that profits are constantly coming in.

The NHLPA is a union and like all unions, they screw over the members with little or no seniority.

The NHLPA is a union and like all unions, they screw over the members with little or no seniority.
- bennythehat

Agreed wholeheartedly!

The NHLPA is a union and like all unions, they screw over the members with little or no seniority.
- bennythehat

I will agree with this.

In today's age where players become businesses themselves, they too have lots to worry about. Star players have brands they are responsible for marketing, many donate big money to charities. Almost all, have tones of debt to repay to family and friends for the years that were put into getting them to a big stage. Players also have a limited amount of time to capitalize on their limited careers. Most NHL players are lucky if they play for more than a year. They always have to be on top of their games or else someone is always hungry to take their jobs.

And, to be honest I would rather be an owner, whereas I can pass down the family business to my kids. Most owners already have tones of money before they purchase a franchise. Smart owners hire the right people to ensure that profits are constantly coming in.
- TheUltimateJet

I am not buying this one. The owners are the risk takers here, particularity in smaller markets. The cap is only reason why hockey exist in Wpg along with Sugar Daddy Thompson. If you are applying your logic to the Chipman family, your pass it on down to the family statement does not fly.

I am not buying this one. The owners are the risk takers here, particularity in smaller markets. The cap is only reason why hockey exist in Wpg along with Sugar Daddy Thompson. If you are applying your logic to the Chipman family, your pass it on down to the family statement does not fly.
- CharlieDog

Personally I'd rather be the star player wondering where to invest my cash, and deciding which tax-deductible charity to donate to, rather that the huge risk taker, the owner, the one with all the decisions and responsibilities in running an NHL team. But I guess each to their own.
Wonder how long it takes a player with a $6+ mill salary to pay back his debts incurred getting to the NHL?
Pass it on to the family? Some do, some can't find takers. I would imagine it is much easier to pass on, say the New York Rangers, than the Carolina Hurricanes, for example.

If Trouba is traded for a centre then a second trade could involve the Hurricanes for an RHD. (Faulk, Hamilton or Pesce)

If Trouba is traded for a centre then a second trade could involve the Hurricanes for an RHD. (Faulk, Hamilton or Pesce)
- 2.0

Love to have Pesce, but "no" for me on Hamilton and Faulk - Faulk one more year before UFA.

I am not buying this one. The owners are the risk takers here, particularity in smaller markets. The cap is only reason why hockey exist in Wpg along with Sugar Daddy Thompson. If you are applying your logic to the Chipman family, your pass it on down to the family statement does not fly.
- CharlieDog

Players take a risk on a daily basis. The whole concussion issue should seal the deal on who is actually taking the risk.

Personally I'd rather be the star player wondering where to invest my cash, and deciding which tax-deductible charity to donate to, rather that the huge risk taker, the owner, the one with all the decisions and responsibilities in running an NHL team. But I guess each to their own.
Wonder how long it takes a player with a $6+ mill salary to pay back his debts incurred getting to the NHL?
Pass it on to the family? Some do, some can't find takers. I would imagine it is much easier to pass on, say the New York Rangers, than the Carolina Hurricanes, for example.
- grahamzky

Exactly.

Have the specifics of the contract extension(s) supposedly offered to Trouba by the Jets in recent years ever been made public? If so, does anyone know what they were? I'm just curious of what he is willing to walk away from just to get out of Winnipeg. Thanks

If Trouba is traded for a centre then a second trade could involve the Hurricanes for an RHD. (Faulk, Hamilton or Pesce)
- 2.0

Don’t touch Faulk, for he is older and bad.
I’ll take Hamilton or Pesce for Connor immediately.

So PETE, next blog, “why you don’t pick fights with guys who carry guns”
🤓

Don’t touch Faulk, for he is older and bad.
I’ll take Hamilton or Pesce for Connor immediately.
- Rexypoo

Hamilton wouldn't get dirty with Ovi in his end for the puck - remember that play ? ... I wouldn't touch him ... blackballed in my book for that one and only reason

Pesce - YES !

But not for Connor ... this goes back to your position that Connor isn't a play driver ? ... or something else ? ... the kid has 30+ goals his first 2 seasons and will only get better ... I'm locking him up for a Scheifs type deal (which, of course, is more than $6.125M per these days)

Have the specifics of the contract extension(s) supposedly offered to Trouba by the Jets in recent years ever been made public? If so, does anyone know what they were? I'm just curious of what he is willing to walk away from just to get out of Winnipeg. Thanks
- Big_E_88

The question falls where it hurts Winnipegers, as the speculation is that Trouba just doesn't like the city (climate, small city - it aint New York). The right amount of money wasn't going to get it done, it would have to be an overpay.

Some blame his agent Kurt Overhardt for being too aggressive and poisoning the relationship; the Jets have countered those unrealistic demands with low-ball offers. Last year Trouba went to arbitration with a request for 7m (before his 50pt season), Jets countered with 4m, a 1m raise from previous. Arbitrator came back at a fair 5.5m

Trouba has been a pro throughout. He works hard, answers media questions, keeps private negotiations private, used NHLPA-CBA agreement appropriately. When he sat out the start of (2017?) he came back and said something like 'as far as I am concerned all the contract dispute is in the past' and then he played well. He will be an real solid #2 on any team, a #1 on some teams, and a #3 on a few teams.

Hamilton wouldn't get dirty with Ovi in his end for the puck - remember that play ? ... I wouldn't touch him ... blackballed in my book for that one and only reason

Pesce - YES !

But not for Connor ... this goes back to your position that Connor isn't a play driver ? ... or something else ? ... the kid has 30+ goals his first 2 seasons and will only get better ... I'm locking him up for a Scheifs type deal (which, of course, is more than $6.125M per these days)
- CorydonKeith

Agree with you 100%!
Hamilton also looks scared against the Bruins. There is a reason he's been traded around and is said to be available again.
Connor is a non-topic in any deal. Some say he will be Jets leading point producer in a year or two, and I agree. Kyle stays - $7M (maybe a shade more) - 7 years?

Connor is only getting better and better !

Hamilton wouldn't get dirty with Ovi in his end for the puck - remember that play ? ... I wouldn't touch him ... blackballed in my book for that one and only reason

Pesce - YES !

But not for Connor ... this goes back to your position that Connor isn't a play driver ? ... or something else ? ... the kid has 30+ goals his first 2 seasons and will only get better ... I'm locking him up for a Scheifs type deal (which, of course, is more than $6.125M per these days)
- CorydonKeith

The thing that worries me about Connor isn’t only that he’s a negative play driver, but also that he hasn’t actually gotten better. When combined with his massive drop in performance every time he’s away from Wheeler and Scheifele, and you’ve got the obvious trade piece

The thing that worries me about Connor isn’t only that he’s a negative play driver, but also that he hasn’t actually gotten better. When combined with his massive drop in performance every time he’s away from Wheeler and Scheifele, and you’ve got the obvious trade piece
- Rexypoo

Hasn't got better? Two 30 goal seasons - how good do you expect him to be? Has Patrik gotten any better?
The Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler line is the best line, obviously, the Jets have.
When things go south is when they pull, unfairly, Connor off the line to try and get Patrik going. You know, "the star player."
Massive drop in performance when pulled from line - try taking a #1 winger off most NHL teams, and their performance on 2nd line (especially a Laine-whoever plays centre line) is going to automatically drop in most cases.
Scheifele-Connor-Wheeler line is one of best in league - but don't screw them around.

The question falls where it hurts Winnipegers, as the speculation is that Trouba just doesn't like the city (climate, small city - it aint New York). The right amount of money wasn't going to get it done, it would have to be an overpay.

Some blame his agent Kurt Overhardt for being too aggressive and poisoning the relationship; the Jets have countered those unrealistic demands with low-ball offers. Last year Trouba went to arbitration with a request for 7m (before his 50pt season), Jets countered with 4m, a 1m raise from previous. Arbitrator came back at a fair 5.5m

Trouba has been a pro throughout. He works hard, answers media questions, keeps private negotiations private, used NHLPA-CBA agreement appropriately. When he sat out the start of (2017?) he came back and said something like 'as far as I am concerned all the contract dispute is in the past' and then he played well. He will be an real solid #2 on any team, a #1 on some teams, and a #3 on a few teams.
- 2.0

Gotcha. Thanks so much for the info & your take on it.

Hasn't got better? Two 30 goal seasons - how good do you expect him to be? Has Patrik gotten any better?
The Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler line is the best line, obviously, the Jets have.
When things go south is when they pull, unfairly, Connor off the line to try and get Patrik going. You know, "the star player."
Massive drop in performance when pulled from line - try taking a #1 winger off most NHL teams, and their performance on 2nd line (especially a Laine-whoever plays centre line) is going to automatically drop in most cases.
Scheifele-Connor-Wheeler line is one of best in league - but don't screw them around.
- grahamzky

BANG ON !
Screw the stupid underlying stats !

Hasn't got better? Two 30 goal seasons - how good do you expect him to be? Has Patrik gotten any better?
The Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler line is the best line, obviously, the Jets have.
When things go south is when they pull, unfairly, Connor off the line to try and get Patrik going. You know, "the star player."
Massive drop in performance when pulled from line - try taking a #1 winger off most NHL teams, and their performance on 2nd line (especially a Laine-whoever plays centre line) is going to automatically drop in most cases.
Scheifele-Connor-Wheeler line is one of best in league - but don't screw them around.
- grahamzky

Connor hasn’t gotten better. His underlying numbers are about the same, and his rate of production has actually gone down a bit.
In fairness to him, every single player on the team not named “Nikolaj” or “Tyler” took a large step back last season.
I am still concerned at how timid he is on the rush. He’s lost any puck carrying ability he had in the AHL, and he’s either constantly skating himself out of room, or he refuses to carry the puck in over the line. He has all the tools Nik Ehlers, an absolute zone entry juggernaut, offers. He should be better. He also can’t defend at all, and often drifts aimlessly. Laine is bad too, but at least he reads and reacts, even if it is just a bit late. I’ll take “there too late” over “never even went there”

Laine showed massive improvement in year 2 over year 1, but then got dropped this season with everyone else. The thing about Laine is that he’s a far better shooter, and creates opportunities for himself a lot more.

As for the Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler line... they were excellent last season, where they managed to outscore their defensive issues via constantly having the puck.
This season? Absolute disaster. They were outshot, outchanced, and outscored entirely too often. Talent kept them alive, but they struggled night after night.

BANG ON !
Screw the stupid underlying stats !
- bennythehat

Said the Edmonton Oilers

Connor hasn’t gotten better. His underlying numbers are about the same, and his rate of production has actually gone down a bit.
In fairness to him, every single player on the team not named “Nikolaj” or “Tyler” took a large step back last season.
I am still concerned at how timid he is on the rush. He’s lost any puck carrying ability he had in the AHL, and he’s either constantly skating himself out of room, or he refuses to carry the puck in over the line. He has all the tools Nik Ehlers, an absolute zone entry juggernaut, offers. He should be better. He also can’t defend at all, and often drifts aimlessly. Laine is bad too, but at least he reads and reacts, even if it is just a bit late. I’ll take “there too late” over “never even went there”

Laine showed massive improvement in year 2 over year 1, but then got dropped this season with everyone else. The thing about Laine is that he’s a far better shooter, and creates opportunities for himself a lot more.

As for the Connor-Scheifele-Wheeler line... they were excellent last season, where they managed to outscore their defensive issues via constantly having the puck.
This season? Absolute disaster. They were outshot, outchanced, and outscored entirely too often. Talent kept them alive, but they struggled night after night.
- Rexypoo

Maybe it would help the offense if the defense joined the rush more? Of course we don't have a Chara back there to defend if things go wrong. But last year both Buff and Morrissey were injured and maybe hurt us more than we thought.
Hoping Sammy Niku put on 20 lbs of muscle this summer so he can be a full-time contributor on the D and help the rush the back end. Hoping for big things from Sammy!
Does anyone else think we might see Dale Hawerchuk or Matt Hendricks an assistant coach with the Jets/Moose soon?
The key to the Jets success was desperation hockey - last year they lacked that - why - that is the big question? Hoping for major moves but probably none coming until after the SC final. Impatient!