I'm less worried about the possibility of collusion behind the scenes and more interested in maybe seeing them amend the compensation schedule for RFA's.

IMO, the RFA market would be more liquid if the compensation wasn't written as a deterrent in the first place. With hockey being such a team game, and the marginal benefit of adding one piece at the cost of multiple future assets always a tricky equation long-term, currently only teams that are desperate and/or cavalier seem to be willing to brave the RFA route.

If the cost to tender an OS were lower across the board, you'd probably see a lot more low to mid-tier RFA movement.
- Tomahawk

Why would the League want more mid tier RFA movement? They want teams to be able to keep their players that they invested time and money in developing. Lowering the compensation would again, give more of a advantage to the richer teams. That is the wrong approach.

You clearly don't own or run a business.
- moylander

The operation of a big business like an NHL team is hardly comparable to Mom and Pop's family doughnut parlor.

Exactly. If I start a business and it doesn't succeed, what happens?
- Jimmygrazz

The NHL is a collection of individual businesses that are connected. If one franchise fails, it affects the entire League.

I liked Nicky
- Marc D

Completely misused by Lavy.

Completely misused by Lavy.
- bradleyc4

I liked him with G and JvR, I don't think he was on that line very much.

Exactly. If I start a business and it doesn't succeed, what happens?
- Jimmygrazz

I agree in principle.

However, does the business you're speaking of depend on talent exhibitions against other like businesses? In other words, does your business only make money when there are other businesses to compete with?

Would you be okay with an 8-team NHL, where only the 8 best money-making teams are in it because the others all lose money?

expand to areas that work(Seattle)....dont try to fit a square peg through a round hole(Phoenix)..
- Philly1980

Seattle is a wait and see right now, the people here won't agree to any bonds to build a new stadium and the basketball deal to get Sacramento fell through.

I'm not certain they would support an NHL team.

Probably better then Phoenix, but that isn't saying a lot.

Just because we have an abundance of a type of player doesn't mean you should throw away your best one on a one sided trade.
- BulliesPhan87

best what? fourth or third line center?

You clearly don't own or run a business.
- moylander

I do not own or run my own business. But I do know the business of the NHL, and how the Salary Cap works. But feel free to point out what you disagree with, and show where I went wrong. But if you could do that, you probably would of.

best what? fourth or third line center?
- Philly1980

Labelling Couturier as a 3rd/4th line center is like saying Nichshuschkshin has shown no ability to break into the NHL.

best what? fourth or third line center?
- Philly1980

this is golden

I agree in principle.

However, does the business you're speaking of depend on talent exhibitions against other like businesses? In other words, does your business only make money when there are other businesses to compete with?

Would you be okay with an 8-team NHL, where only the 8 best money-making teams are in it because the others all lose money?
- jmatchett383

That's what many don't understand. Nashville, Phoenix and the all the struggling teams doing well. Is in the best interest of everyone involved. Including the Flyers.

Seattle is a wait and see right now, the people here won't agree to any bonds to build a new stadium and the basketball deal to get Sacramento fell through.

I'm not certain they would support an NHL team.

Probably better then Phoenix, but that isn't saying a lot.
- Marc D

Also, as much as I want Phoenix relocated, you do have to consider the message it sends to fans. Say Phoenix gets moved to Seattle. You're basically saying to the new Seattle fans, "We want you to love this team. But if it ever stops making money, we're gonna close up shop and move your team away." That's not a lot of incentive for the fans to pour their heart and money in the team. You need stable markets, but if you shifted teams around constantly, the fans stop caring, and even viable markets can become dead spots.

Seattle is a wait and see right now, the people here won't agree to any bonds to build a new stadium and the basketball deal to get Sacramento fell through.

I'm not certain they would support an NHL team.

Probably better then Phoenix, but that isn't saying a lot.
- Marc D

I want them to go to Quebec so the NHL is forced to redo their awful new alignment.

Labelling Couturier as a 3rd/4th line center is like saying Nichshuschkshin has shown no ability to break into the NHL.
- BulliesPhan87

im labelling him as that because thats all he has shown so far.

Well you are getting a lot of compelling play, that's for sure. I was really hoping for a team like San Jose or Ottawa to get through. Not a huge Ottawa fan, but was pulling for Alfredsson.

Still, the games have definitely been exciting.
- funmaster18

with richards out i find it very easy to just straight up root for zus

im labelling him as that because thats all he has shown so far.
- Philly1980

so, unless jones starts out on the top pair with his new team, he's just a sixth defenseman.

That's what many don't understand. Nashville, Phoenix and the all the struggling teams doing well. Is in the best interest of everyone involved. Including the Flyers.
- MJL

not in my interest...you guys take the argument to the other extreme.....8 teams. No one said that as far as im concerned

Nashville , phoenix , tampa, panthers can leave. thats 4 teams not 22.

im labelling him as that because thats all he has shown so far.
- Philly1980

so, unless jones starts out on the top pair with his new team, he's just a sixth defenseman.
- Don'tForgetTocchet

yes unless he reaches his full potential thats all he is...Potential doesnt win you games.


Heres the true question: if you had a choice between Nicushkin or couts next to giroux next year who do you pick?

yes unless he reaches his full potential thats all he is...Potential doesnt win you games.
- Philly1980

Wait, we're talking about winning games now? I thought we were talking about trading?

not in my interest...you guys take the argument to the other extreme.....8 teams. No one said that as far as im concerned

Nashville , phoenix , tampa, panthers can leave. thats 4 teams not 22.
- Philly1980

Less teams = less fans = less external revenue = less money for everyone involved. Yeah, that would sell well to both the NHL and NHLPA.

Wait, we're talking about winning games now? I thought we were talking about trading?
- BulliesPhan87

yeah. im talking about winning games next year...put nicushkin or couturier next to giroux and see who scores more...

Less teams = less fans = less external revenue = less money for everyone involved. Yeah, that would sell well to both the NHL and NHLPA.
- jmatchett383

you know all those teams are in the red right? it means that there arent enough fans to support their operating costs. so they produce no revenue but take it from our team that does.