WOW. My Twitter feed is blowing the hell up about this -- if this is a joke, it's fooling a TON of people.
- AllInForFlyers

My NHL app just said it as well.

Isn't it true that they had to qualify him because he was injured, or did I just think I read that?
- AllInForFlyers

No they didn't; they could've released him to free agency, thereby ruining not only his hockey career but most likely his life as well. Luckily for Wellwood, Homer isn't an evil heartless harpy-monster, and he decided for loyalty and good-guy reasons to stick with Wellwood and give him a chance. We're very good at that. We've been very good with helping players like Lappy, Pronger, and Emery through serious injuries. It's one more reason why players like Philly as a potential landing destination.

1) Not all FO wins lead to solid possession.

2) Having players that can get the puck back, not only after a lost draw, but in all situations, is going to drive possession more than a FO win.


- Tomahawk

Winning a faceoff gives you a hell of a lot better chance of establishing solid possession then losing it does. Don't need a graph, or an article, or a stat to know that.

Like I said, the anecdotal stuff naturally stays with us... especially when analysts on TV love to grossly attribute almost every goal to faceoff wins/losses.
- Tomahawk

No, it's not the ancdote that stays with us. It's the puck in the back of the net, and the loss of a game that stays with us. Win the faceoff and the odds of the puck winding up in the back of your net is a lot less.

What about the contract slot being wasted on Wellwood? Hall at least is a useful role player. Wellwood is a fringe NHL player who may never play again.
- PLindbergh31

'Never play again' is kind of speculative... good young drafted player that was on track to crack the NHL lineup pre-lockout... I could understand the case for wanting to hang on to his rights.

And it doesn't get more fringe than Adam Hall... guy wouldn't be spending full seasons in the AHL in recent times if he was all that useful.

Paging MJL. How does Kovalchuk retiring effect the Devils cap situation?

WOW. My Twitter feed is blowing the hell up about this -- if this is a joke, it's fooling a TON of people.
- AllInForFlyers

it's a joke? You'd think the NHL app would go off more than a twitter rumor

it's a joke? You'd think the NHL app would go off more than a twitter rumor
- JAKEw1234

TSN's carrying it.

Nope: true story folks, wow:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=677712

'Never play again' is kind of speculative... good young drafted player that was on track to crack the NHL lineup pre-lockout... I could understand the case for wanting to hang on to his rights.

And it doesn't get more fringe than Adam Hall... guy wouldn't be spending full seasons in the AHL in recent times if he was all that useful.
- Tomahawk

Severed achilles is pretty severe. Is there any history of a player coming back from such an injury?

Max is much better on the wing. and luckily we have a spot for him there. Awesome teammate that makes the team better through the locker room as well as on the ice Remember when him and Gags were lighting it up together on a line last year?
- JAKEw1234

That's right. And putting a player like Talbot in a better spot, makes him more effective. And the team better. It's not just one player. It has an effect throughout the lineup. Put players in the right spots, the right roles, and the right situations. And your chances of success go way up.

Paging MJL. How does Kovalchuk retiring effect the Devils cap situation?
- PLindbergh31

Per capgeek, it's only a $250K penalty through 2024/2025.

My NHL app just said it as well.
- bgratch

WOW. He's leaving $77 million on the table. Just going home.

Like everyone else, I read that he really struggled with the decision to come back after the lockout -- he really wants the KHL to be a viable league, a league that rivals the NHL.

WOW. The Devils are gonna feel that one.

Paging MJL. How does Kovalchuk retiring effect the Devils cap situation?
- PLindbergh31

Is that what that twitter feed is about? The Devils are screwed!

Severed achilles is pretty severe. Is there any history of a player coming back from such an injury?
- PLindbergh31

No clue, but as long as he gets into contact with Erik Karlsson's 'pharmacist', he should be back in 8-12 weeks.

What the hell is going on in Newark!?!?!!

Is that what that twitter feed is about? The Devils are screwed!
- MJL

I thought the Devils were in decline anyway. This will just accelerate that.

That's right. And putting a player like Talbot in a better spot, makes him more effective. And the team better. It's not just one player. It has an effect throughout the lineup. Put players in the right spots, the right roles, and the right situations. And your chances of success go way up.
- MJL

And it's up to Lavy to find those good spots. If Giroux never puts up another 90 point seasons, I suspect it'll have a lot to do with Lavy misusing him.

I thought the Devils were in decline anyway. This will just accelerate that.
- johndewar

And they have to forfeit their 1st round pick this year, OUCH

What the hell is going on in Newark!?!?!!
- MBFlyerfan

It is going to be a rough year for that franchise at a time where, financially, I think things are still pretty precarious for them.

WOW. He's leaving $77 million on the table. Just going home.

Like everyone else, I read that he really struggled with the decision to come back after the lockout -- he really wants the KHL to be a viable league, a league that rivals the NHL.

WOW. The Devils are gonna feel that one.
- AllInForFlyers

Sean Leahy @Sean_Leahy

Reminder: New Jersey has to forfeit their 2014 1st round pick because of the Kovalchuk signing.

No clue, but as long as he gets into contact with Erik Karlsson's 'pharmacist', he should be back in 8-12 weeks.
- Tomahawk

WOW. He's leaving $77 million on the table. Just going home.

Like everyone else, I read that he really struggled with the decision to come back after the lockout -- he really wants the KHL to be a viable league, a league that rivals the NHL.

WOW. The Devils are gonna feel that one.
- AllInForFlyers

Dude. This is awesome from a Flyers perspective. Devils got Franked. First lost the 1st rounder because of cap circumvention, Then lost Parise because they couldnt afford to resign him.... then he just leaves... Boom goes the Kovy.

Sean Leahy @Sean_Leahy

Reminder: New Jersey has to forfeit their 2014 1st round pick because of the Kovalchuk signing.


- Tomahawk

Amazing!

Is that what that twitter feed is about? The Devils are screwed!
- MJL

He comes off their cap no? They have a ton of cap room now wouldn't they?

This can't be true. Why would he just decide to give up all of that money? Is he going to Russia?