It's possible, but I don;t see why the Devils would do it. Sure, you don't have to pay the contract out, but you also will lose ticket sales, will miss the playoffs and have to replace the player.
- Jsaquella

Losing Parise, Clarkson, and Kovy in less then two years is a killer. I don't believe they have a whole lot in the minors waiting to jump into top 6 roles. Two firsts is a pretty steep price to pay for a forward who played less then 3 seasons.

I keep seeing US and Canadian media saying that Kovalchuk is actually doing the Devils a solid.

Stuff like "The financially strapped team doesn't have to pay him now" and in the long run it's a good thing...I don't see it.

They lose their best offensive player, they missed out on the cream of a weak FA crop, they lose their most marketable player and they already have attendance troubles.

Also, over the past several years, they have had several guys leave to "go back home". Kovalchuk, Rafalski, Parise...it's not an attractive scenario
- Jsaquella

At least they have their 2014 first round pick!

I agree for the most part, I think it certainly hurts them short term 2-3 years, but I think the back end of the deal may have become an albatross.

I keep seeing US and Canadian media saying that Kovalchuk is actually doing the Devils a solid.

Stuff like "The financially strapped team doesn't have to pay him now" and in the long run it's a good thing...I don't see it.

They lose their best offensive player, they missed out on the cream of a weak FA crop, they lose their most marketable player and they already have attendance troubles.

Also, over the past several years, they have had several guys leave to "go back home". Kovalchuk, Rafalski, Parise...it's not an attractive scenario
- Jsaquella

They'll be fine. Names on the back of debs jerseys don't matter

Losing Parise, Clarkson, and Kovy in less then two years is a killer. I don't believe they have a whole lot in the minors waiting to jump into top 6 roles. Two firsts is a pretty steep price to pay for a forward who played less then 3 seasons.
- ravishingone

They basically traded 3 first rounders.

They traded their 2010 1st rounder outright, lost their 2014 1st rounder over Kovalchuk's contract and traded Nicklas Bergfors, their 2005 1st round pick in the trade to get him.

As it stands, they can't sign Gagne and keep Laughton right now without hitting the limit before the season even begins... which is a bit of a disadvantage.
- Tomahawk

Maybe it's a bit of a disadvantage. It doesn't force a roster decision on either player. The upper limit of the salary cap does.

They'll be fine. Names on the back of debs jerseys don't matter
- Just5

Yeah, they were fine in 2 out of the last 3 seasons.

The point is that the team name is the Flyers - plural. It's fine to use Flyer when talking about one member of the team. It's not fine to name a team after something singular, at least not in my opinion. Doesn't really matter if it's a real thing or something made up, just needs to be plural if it is a team name.
- BringBack25

Shouldn't the leafs actually be the leaves?

they'll get mcdavid in 2 years and be right back to killing us

Yeah, if he's going to play in the elite leagues, no sense in playing juniors.
- Jsaquella

My thought was the smaller rink & the style of play but I don't have a problem with him staying home.

Maybe it's a bit of a disadvantage. It doesn't force a roster decision on either player. The upper limit of the salary cap does.
- Benway

As long as they start the season under the cap, they can get LTIR relief for Pronger and keep both. But, if they don;t move a contract out, they can't...even after Pronger goes on LTIR

At least they have their 2014 first round pick!

I agree for the most part, I think it certainly hurts them short terms 2-3 years, but I think the back end of the deal may have become an albatross.
- PLindbergh31

I think the even bigger problem besides for that their team will do bad for the next few years, is that they've lost their 2nd most marketable player behind Brodeur, who's also on his way out next year. I think their ticket sales and tv viewership will drop considerably, and seeing how I don't think their numbers were stellar to begin with, this could be a real organizational killer.

I had asked if they'd try to steer him towards juniors but was told that wasn't even being considered.
- ob18

Gostibehere has two mores years of college, Hagg wants 2 more years in Sweden, Morin has 2 more years of Juniors (outside of a 5th overage year). Looks like 2015-2016 will be interesting.

they'll get mcdavid in 2 years and be right back to killing us
- Crimsoninja

Oh boy, another division rival with a generational talent? Bring it on

They basically traded 3 first rounders.

They traded their 2010 1st rounder outright, lost their 2014 1st rounder over Kovalchuk's contract and traded Nicklas Bergfors, their 2005 1st round pick in the trade to get him.
- Jsaquella

Correct, I always liked Bergfors skill set and size, but he just couldn't stick in the NHL.

Gostibehere has two mores years of college, Hagg wants 2 more years in Sweden, Morin has 2 more years of Juniors (outside of a 5th overage year). Looks like 2015-2016 will be interesting.
- GirouxForTheShow

Well I mean, I don't really think any of them will be ready by then. Not too many Dmen are NHL ready by age 20.

I think the even bigger problem besides for that their team will do bad for the next few years, is that they've lost their 2nd most marketable player behind Brodeur, who's also on his way out next year. I think their ticket sales and tv viewership will drop considerably, and seeing how I don't think their numbers were stellar to begin with, this could be a real organizational killer.
- JAKEw1234

I hope they become the Kabul Devils.

Well I mean, I don't really think any of them will be ready by then. Not too many Dmen are NHL ready by age 20.
- JAKEw1234

Certainly not, but it will be interesting to say the least to have them all ready for the next step, whatever that may be, all around the same time.

I hope they become the Kabul Devils.
- PLindbergh31

Or the SEATTLE SEALS!

Certainly not, but it will be interesting to say the least to have them all ready for the next step, whatever that may be, all around the same time.
- GirouxForTheShow

Yup we certainly shouldn't have many concerns with our defense of the future, I'm more worried about the defense that fills the seasons between when Kimmo retires, and when those guys are ready to tear it up on the highest level.

I hope they continue to do so, to a degree.

They pissed away at least one 2nd round pick in the past to lose a contract (When they traded Stefan Legein to LA), and that's a wasted asset.
- Jsaquella

No team is perfect.

Would you consider the Pens trading a first round pick and two good prospects to rent Iginla wasting assets?

Yup we certainly shouldn't have many concerns with our defense of the future, I'm more worried about the defense that fills the seasons between when Kimmo retires, and when those guys are ready to tear it up on the highest level.
- JAKEw1234

I just don't think it will be as simple as dumping Mez or Coburn and just moving forward to training camp. I still think something significant gets accomplished to bolster the blueline.

I like Portland Pioneers, but looks like there may already be a team (minor league?) with that name. Fits well with the hisotry and Pioneer Square being right in the middle of the city.

If you could play off being known as Stumptown or Rose City, you could come up with better names than using Portland as the starting name.

So... hoping that your favorite team is able to work within a long-term budget, spend wisely, build patiently and steer clear of avoidable pitfalls is unreasonable now? Good to know.
- Tomahawk

No, what is unreasonable is criticizing them for not being patient. And for trading away draft picks to win now. And then in turn criticizing them for not leaving contract slots open so they can make moves during the Season. And give examples of teams that traded top draft picks and prospects away, for playoff rentals, as reasons for leaving contract slots open.

Legitimate criticisms are one thing. Criticizing them on pretty much every thing. Not legitimate. And certainly not reasonable

She is the top anthemist in the NHL as selected by Tim Panaccio.

Not that she isn't good. But the woman in LA is awesome. Jewel in NJ is top notch. The ones that grate are the dinosaur guys in Boston and NYR. I'll admit I never listen to the Chicago anthem because of fan antics. I don't like fan antics during the anthem. (Like the OOOOO in DC. bleargh) Chicago used to have the best, actually, until the guy was shot in the throat by a mugger.
- bodiva88

Those 4 that were shown had video of stars and stripes going through crowd and stuff like that. Dont think it was meant as rated singers more of a tribute thing

No team is perfect.

Would you consider the Pens trading a first round pick and two good prospects to rent Iginla wasting assets?
- MJL

Comparing giving away a second rounder so a team will take on a contract to a GM trying to put his team over the top at the TDL isn't exactly an apples to apples comparison.

But yes, I feel that Shero misused assets in his deadline splurge. Just like the Flyers using NHL contract slots on guys that can only get into a NHL game by buying a ticket is a mis-use of assets