December NHL News

cshea

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The Devils have signed Scott Gomez. Really, that just happened.

Also, CBJ announced Artem Anisimov will miss 2-3 months with a torn tricep. A miserable season for them continues, although on the bright side McDavid/Eichel could very well be the light at the end of this dark tunnel of a season.
 

cshea

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Marty Brodeur officially signed with the Blues today. I don't see that ending well.

Armstrong has built a pretty damned good team but the one area he seems to have no clue on is goalies.
 

cshea

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The ongoing LA Kings vs. NHL fight over the Slava Voynov suspension stepped up a notch today. The short version of everything is that Voynov was suspended indefinitely by the league for domestic violence (he has since been charged with a felony in the case and plead not guilty). The team and league fought publicly for a while over cap issues. That dispute was recently settled with the league allowing Voynov to be placed on LTIR, giving the Kings much needed cap relief.

Today, out of nowhere, Voynov skated with the team by participating in their morning skate. The Kings claimed it was an "optional" skate and that it just so happens the entire team plus Voynov attended. The league didn't find this too funny and responded by fining the Kings $100,000.
 

InstantKarmma

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cshea said:
Marty Brodeur officially signed with the Blues today. I don't see that ending well.
You don't see it ending well for whom? It's an incentive-laden contract, with big bonuses for being on the roster on February 1 and another on March 4. If he sucks, he's gone.

cshea said:
Armstrong has built a pretty damned good team but the one area he seems to have no clue on is goalies.
Elliot was having a really good year before he went down, and Allen is having a decent year, particularly when you factor in that he's a rookie (2 SO in 11 games)

Goalies haven't been StL's problem this season- it's getting someone not named Tarasenko to score a goal.
 

cshea

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I think it doesn't ends well for Marty. He's cooked. He hasn't posted a save percentage above .910 since 2010/2011, and the Devils have traditionally been among the better defensive teams in the league. Last year they allowed the fewest shots against per game and he still had a very poor .901 save percentage. It's low risk for the Blues though, you're right. I just think Marty past his last gasp as a viable NHL goalie. 
 
As for the Blues...I just think they've made poor decisions in net over the past few seasons. The Halak/Miller trade last year was a bit mystifying. The Blues bought into Miller's excellent first half...but his first half numbers were outliers based on Miller's career track record. Halak probably gives them the same production and has aslo been the better playoff goalie between the two, albeit in a much smaller sample size. Armstrong also hastily moved Ben Bishop, who is know a top 10 goalie in the league and probably better than anything the Blues have in net. The Blues haven't made the best decisions in net. 
 

Catcher Block

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I agree that the Halak/Miller trade was lateral at best at the time, and a net loss after the Blues' early playoff exit and loss of a draft pick to Buffalo. They were never going to re-sign Miller, which made it stink even worse. The Bishop example is a little tough on Armstrong, though.
 
At the time of the Bishop trade to Ottawa (for a 2nd rounder), the Blues had Halak signed through 2014, and Eliott had just extended through 2014 a month before the trade. They were on their way to winning the Jennings trophy, and Jake Allen was considered a serious prospect. I don't think you can blame him for dealing away one spare goalie, particularly when he got a mid-second in return.
 

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MoGator71

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Well, now it's 2 threads.
 
Re: the Kings/Voynov thing, the league basically have them a free pass on the cap issue and their response was to let him skate, in direct violation with the suspension? If Bettman had any sack at all he'd stick them right back in cap hell. 
 

soxhop411

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“@ChrisKuc: #Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford missed a step leaving a concert the other night and injured left foot. Wearing walking boot.”
 

McDrew

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MoGator71 said:
Well, now it's 2 threads.
 
Re: the Kings/Voynov thing, the league basically have them a free pass on the cap issue and their response was to let him skate, in direct violation with the suspension? If Bettman had any sack at all he'd stick them right back in cap hell. 
 
What I'd like to see is the 100k fine count against the cap.  They got to put him on LTIR, so they get that allowance, but that fine should come out of that allowance. 
 

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InstantKarmma said:
....

Goalies haven't been StL's problem this season- it's getting someone not named Tarasenko to score a goal.
 
 
I was at the Wild/Blues game Saturday night. My first NHL game in awhile. Tarasenko is a helluva player. His moves remind me of Slava Kozlov. So gorgeous how he waited out Backstrom on that first Blues goal, then just pops it over him. 
 

Pumpsie

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Monbo Jumbo said:
 
 
I was at the Wild/Blues game Saturday night. My first NHL game in awhile. Tarasenko is a helluva player. His moves remind me of Slava Kozlov. So gorgeous how he waited out Backstrom on that first Blues goal, then just pops it over him. 
Yeah, Tarasenko is a gem.  Crazy skills AND hockey smart.  He's a star. You can't take your eyes off him when he's out there.
 

Fred in Lynn

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Does the CBA prohibit players on LTIR from practicing? That is where the NHL and NHLPA negotiated to put him. Section 16.11(c) says that he can practice. I think that by the book, the Kings may have a legitimate grievance that they should have no other penalty other than prohibiting him to participate in team activities. Of course, they'd have to explain their willful ignorance regarding the purpose of the negotiated agreement (to provide them cap relief in this unique situation), and I don't think they want to be in that situation. I guess they will shut up and pay if they haven't already.
 

cshea

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The Oilers have hit a new low. No, not the 11-game losing streak. They're being trolled on Twitter by Jay Feaster.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=nhl&id=33428&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F4VIPBELsIF%22%7D

Fun stuff. In real new though, the chatter out of Edmonton today is that the brass is huddled and changes may be coming. Maybe Eakins becomes the fall guy for this, but at some point they have to stop changing the coaches and start looking at the roster.
 

timlinin8th

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Fred in Lynn said:
Does the CBA prohibit players on LTIR from practicing? That is where the NHL and NHLPA negotiated to put him. Section 16.11(c) says that he can practice. I think that by the book, the Kings may have a legitimate grievance that they should have no other penalty other than prohibiting him to participate in team activities. Of course, they'd have to explain their willful ignorance regarding the purpose of the negotiated agreement (to provide them cap relief in this unique situation), and I don't think they want to be in that situation. I guess they will shut up and pay if they haven't already.
Except the league and PA didn't negotiate "to put him on LTIR". The league and PA negotiated on the Kings behalf on how to treat his cap hit, since the league was forcing the team to suspend him - they came to the resolution to treat his cap hit in the same manner a player on LTIR would have their hit be handled. But his actual player status is that he is suspended and can't participate in any team activities. The Kings f'ed up.
 

Fred in Lynn

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timlinin8th said:
Except the league and PA didn't negotiate "to put him on LTIR". The league and PA negotiated on the Kings behalf on how to treat his cap hit, since the league was forcing the team to suspend him - they came to the resolution to treat his cap hit in the same manner a player on LTIR would have their hit be handled. But his actual player status is that he is suspended and can't participate in any team activities. The Kings f'ed up.
Yup.
 

Greg29fan

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The Pens acquired F Rob Klinkhammer and a 5th round pick from Phoenix for D Philip Samuelsson
 

cshea

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MacLean seemed to get stale in Ottawa, but he didn't get much help from the front office. The Sens have the lowest payroll in the entire league maybe Eugene should spend some money on good players?
 

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cshea said:
MacLean seemed to get stale in Ottawa, but he didn't get much help from the front office. The Sens have the lowest payroll in the entire league maybe Eugene should spend some money on good players?
 
Lowest payroll in the league despite a brand-new big money tv deal in place.  So yeah, this is on Melnyk and the front office.
 

McDrew

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Removal of the Iginla penalty(~4.8M), and the cap going up gives the Bruins some space moving forward next year.  
 
Assuming the following players with 1 way deals
Bergeron, 6.5M
Lucic, 6M
Krecji 7.25M
Marchand 4.5M
Eriksson 4.25M
Kelly 3M
Chara 6.9K
Seidenberg 4M
Miller 800k
Trotman 625k (2 way in 2014-2015, 1 way in 2015, 2016)
Rask 7M
 
Let's also assume that 2 of Khoklachev(790K) Griffith (760K) and Pastrnak (925K) make the squad. 
 
I'm also going to (slightly over)assume(for easy math) 1.5M for the 13th forward and 7th D up from providence
 
This leaves the B's with ~18M for the following
1) Signing Hamilton to an RFA deal
2) Signing Krug to an RFA deal   (that leaves 6 Dmen under contract.  I'm ok with bringing up someone from the AHL for the 7th spot)
 
3) Signing Soderberg to a UFA deal
4) Signing a 4th line
 
That's not a horrible situation to be in. 
 

RIFan

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AMcGhie said:
 
 
Let's also assume that 2 of Khoklachev(790K) Griffith (760K) and Pastrnak (925K) make the squad. 
 
 
Accidental omission or has Spooner fallen that far down the depth chart for you?
 
 
Under 15-16 contract (Current roster):
Forwards: 8 players $36.3M
Defense: 5 players $6.3M
Goal:  1 player $7.0M
Total 14 players> $49.6M
 
 
Assuming that they sign Dougie and Torey to long term deals, you are probably allocating close to $10M for those 2.   I can see Yeti signing a team friendly deal, but I'd look at him being comparable to Stastny who signed a $7M AAV deal.  If he is adverse to moving, he still should get no less than $4.25.  Reilly is also an RFA.  If they buy up some of his UFA years, his AAV could exceed $3.5M.  Svedberg or Subban will back up Tuukka at $900K.    You're looking at a minimum $17 - $18M in AAV with those 5 players and probably more. It also assumes McQuaid moves on as an UFA and they backfill with one of the baby B's.   I'd be surprised if they don't bring in some veteran insurance who has some more toughness than any of the young guys could offer.  That leaves $5-6 million to play with for 3-4 additional roster players if you are optimistic that Yeti doesn't break the bank.  They could fill it out with all ELA types(ie Pastrnak etc), but it's still a small cushion.
 
They're going to need every penny of the $73M and probably won't be more comfortable with the roster than they are this year unless they move someone.
 

cshea

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I'd be a bit leery about that number. The $73 million likely assumes the union triggerinf the yearly escalator option they have, but that is something the union ended up not doing last year. The Rogers deal began this year which should help raise revenues but I'd proceed with caution if I was a GM.

Edit: Chris Johnston says te BOG was told the cap will likely be somewhere between $71-$75 million.
 

Greg29fan

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The cap going up is dependent at least in part on the Canadian dollar remaining strong (currently.87).  That's not a given.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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Greg29fan said:
 
Lowest payroll in the league despite a brand-new big money tv deal in place.  So yeah, this is on Melnyk and the front office.
Lots of talk saying the Paulrus had lost the locker room had couldnt communicate with either the players or the front office. Grain of salt, etc.

Coach of the Year 18 months ago, shitcanned today. Tough gig.
 

McDrew

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I'm about to compliment Montreal for doing something classy:
 
https://twitter.com/SportsnetTicker/status/542538278646591488
 

Nuf Ced

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The mumps virus has hit the Devils: Travis Zajac and Adam Larsson confirmed with cases.
 
http://fireandice.northjersey.com/
 
 
The diagnostic process takes so long -- five to seven days -- that Zajac is already over it and has skated the last two days.
 
Larsson is still recovering and in isolation, as is the protocol.
 
"Travis had it, but he's over it.," Lamoriello said this morning. "This (the confirmation) only came about the last two days. Adam is on the recovery period right now from what the doctors said."
 
Zajac and Larsson join a growing list of NHL players to have been diagnosed that includes the Rangers Tanner Glass, Minnesota’s Ryan Suter, Marco Scandella, Jonas Brodin, Keith Ballard and Christian Folin and Anaheim’s Corey Perry, Francious Beauchemin and Clayton Stoner.
 
Zajac has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since Nov. 28 and then became ill. Larsson hasn’t played since Dec. 2 in Pittsburgh because of what was originally thought to be the flu.
 

McDrew

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Looks like Sidney Crosby is the next victim of the Mumps epidemic in the NHL right now.  If the B's haven't given boosters to EVERYONE involved in the organization, they should, NOW. 
 

cshea

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The Penguins/Sid say it's not the mumps, and he is supposed to play tonight. Either it's some dental issue or the Penguins are massive idiots.

Update! Pittsburgh just announced he will miss the next 2 games out of precaution. Kinda dumb to let him be around the team and media if it has any chance of being the mumps.
 

McDrew

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I think this is a legit CDC-worthy health issue.  They got involved with an outbreak and THE Ohio State University earlier this year, and given that the NHL is at ~20 cases in a group of ~600 people, they might need to step in.  Mumps is frustrating because its INCREDIBLY contagious, and the vacciene is greatly, but not completely effective.  There was a CBS article that said the fact that only 12 people had been identified (as of earlier this week) meant that the vacciene was working very well.  I will note that most of the victims (save Suter in MIN) have been non-americans.  And even in that exception, after Minnesota's initial cases, he REFUSED a booster vaccine.  Sucks for him. 
 

Red Right Ankle

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He refused? What an ass. I am surprised that NHL contracts don't have vaccine clauses (sort of like the "no skiing clauses") that require these guys to stay up to date or get boosters if requested. Seems like a no brainer since it puts the team's investment in the player AND his teammates at risk.
 

Fred in Lynn

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TheStoryofYourRedRightAnkle said:
He refused? What an ass. I am surprised that NHL contracts don't have vaccine clauses (sort of like the "no skiing clauses") that require these guys to stay up to date or get boosters if requested. Seems like a no brainer since it puts the team's investment in the player AND his teammates at risk.
I believe the primary argument against forced vaccination is that the chronic risk from vaccines has not been proven to be negligible.
 

Hendu4Kutcher

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The primary objection to forced vaccination (or forced medical care of any kind) is that it violates the autonomy of the individual. That being said, the risks of infection far, far exceed the risks associated with vaccination or boosters.
 

Fred in Lynn

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Autonomy to do what? Elect not to get vaccinated because they feel an unacceptable risk exists, which as you mentioned, will undoubtedly be a greater risk than not getting vaccinated. Flyers had all their players vaccinated. Not sure if they were forced against their will (or that such a thing occurs in the civilized world).
 

McDrew

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Fred in Lynn said:
I believe the primary argument against forced vaccination is that the chronic risk from vaccines has not been proven to be negligible.
 
Vaccines are one of the most significant discoveries in medical history.  The world has eradicated multiple horrific diseases because of vaccines, and there is no legitimate scientific research that proves that they are anything but beneficial.  There are obvious people who for allergen reasons (eggs, etc) should not get vaccinated, but everyone else should (because of herd immunity).  If I was the GM of the Wild, I'd fine Suter for every game he missed.  He put himself at risk recklessly, and it is his fault that he is missing games. 
 

Fred in Lynn

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AMcGhie said:
 
Vaccines are one of the most significant discoveries in medical history.  The world has eradicated multiple horrific diseases because of vaccines, and there is no legitimate scientific research that proves that they are anything but beneficial.  There are obvious people who for allergen reasons (eggs, etc) should not get vaccinated, but everyone else should (because of herd immunity).  If I was the GM of the Wild, I'd fine Suter for every game he missed.  He put himself at risk recklessly, and it is his fault that he is missing games. 
I agree wholeheartedly.
 

Pumpsie

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mikeford said:
Damien Brunner contract terminated and he signed in Switzerland

Good. Riddance.
Finally, some good news out of Jersey.  Brunner was extraordinary in his ability to play 12 minutes a game and do absolutely nothing but skate around for all that time. 
 

cshea

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Chicago trades F Jeremy Morin to Columbus for D Tim Erixon. Nice move for Columbus. Morin has some upside but wanted out of Chicago since he was buried on the depth chart.