They can definitely end up (purposely/inadvertently) introducing some wicked biases into the lottery results.

Like the ad hoc rules for 2005... teams that didn't make the PO's or picked 1st-overall the previous three seasons were given extra balls in the lotto machine. If the Pens hadn't lost the OV lottery the previous summer, and/or the criteria had been expanded beyond the last 3 seasons, they could have conceivably ended up with just 1 ball vs 3. I'm sure they examined multiple scenarios and their resulting odds before settling on one -- I'm sure they weren't strangers to the fact that the Pens and Rangers were going to end up in the small group with the biggest odds under their scenario of choice.
- Tomahawk

But they didn't do anything behind the scenes secretly. I still don't think the nhl tried to help Pitt and NY specifically. I think they were just trying to balance the league like they always have since the lockout

But see, if NYI spits the bit this year, it's gonna be hard for him to miss Buffalo. Doesn't mean it can't be done, but man, the math is definitely in their favor.
- AllInForFlyers

I don't know exactly how it works, but unless both Buffalo and NYI finish 2nd/3rd worst, I think the worst team still has the odds.

But see, if NYI spits the bit this year, it's gonna be hard for him to miss Buffalo. Doesn't mean it can't be done, but man, the math is definitely in their favor.

Edmonton looks like they could be ugly, too
- AllInForFlyers

NYI are moving to Brooklyn you say. hmmmm.

TSN doing their Flyers "Off-Season Game Plan" today. Feel free to rip apart:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=453780

Exactly

Isles fans ripped the guy because he wasn't a #1 dman, even though they kept trying to use him as one. Flyers fans give Coburn the same crap. Expecting him to be a dominant #1 guy is just foolish. OTOH he is a mobile, solid top pair guy with a bit of skill and he will get physical now and then as well. You may not like him, but there is not a team in the NHL that wouldn't be thrilled to have him in their top 4 and most would have him on their top pair.

That's why I laugh when I hear people whine "but what if Morin turns out to be just a bigger, meaner version of Coburn?" Good lord folks, if Morin can be a bigger meaner version of Coburn, you just found your #1 shutdown/PK guy for the next decade and change!
- BiggE

Yeah. I think Amac was overpaid, but he's not as bad as the general Corsi numbers would indicate. I just don't want the Flyers to think he can play on the top pair. He needs to be sheltered a bit and not overused

They can definitely end up (purposely/inadvertently) introducing some wicked biases into the lottery results.

Like the ad hoc rules for 2005... teams that didn't make the PO's or picked 1st-overall the previous three seasons were given extra balls in the lotto machine. If the Pens hadn't lost the OV lottery the previous summer, and/or the criteria had been expanded beyond the last 3 seasons, they could have conceivably ended up with just 1 ball vs 3. I'm sure they examined multiple scenarios and their resulting odds before settling on one -- I'm sure they weren't strangers to the fact that the Pens and Rangers were going to end up in the small group with the biggest odds under their scenario of choice.
- Tomahawk

It is done in private and the results are then announced, correctl?

Just like the Flyers got Leino for "nothing." It wasn't truly nothing, but OKT + a 5th is almost nothing. Sorry if this is what sparked the Ville talk.

There's other examples, the most outrageous being the Hawks getting Patrick Sharp for nothing.
- jmatchett383

Pot stirrer

Let's see if McDavid ends up in Buffalo or Edmonton.
- mayorofangrytown

He'll end up in Vancouver

NYI are moving to Brooklyn you say. hmmmm.
- mayorofangrytown

Absolutely, but they gave the pick to Buffalo -- jmatchett's right in that the worst team has the best odds, but right now, it's tricky to see how McDavid dodges Buffalo and Edmonton, if they're both brutal, and still avoid Florida and a Nashville, too

TSN doing their Flyers "Off-Season Game Plan" today. Feel free to rip apart:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=453780
- jmatchett383

Not too far off.

NYI are moving to Brooklyn you say. hmmmm.
- mayorofangrytown

Unless something crazy happens, the Islanders have a 0% chance of getting McDavid

He'll end up in Vancouver
- PhillySportsGuy

You think they're going to be intentionally bad, or just regular bad with a Kesler move?

TSN doing their Flyers "Off-Season Game Plan" today. Feel free to rip apart:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=453780
- jmatchett383

Not a single mention of trading for Shea Weber, Bobby Ryab or needing Ryan Miller... that Cullen ain't so bad.

Unless something crazy happens, the Islanders have a 0% chance of getting McDavid
- PhillySportsGuy

Something crazy you say... Well let us all pay attention shall we?

Not a single mention of trading for Shea Weber, Bobby Ryab or needing Ryan Miller... that Cullen ain't so bad.
- Tomahawk

Ha! I don't love his Power Polls, but the offseason tracker gets stronger each year.

Not a single mention of trading for Shea Weber, Bobby Ryab or needing Ryan Miller... that Cullen ain't so bad.
- Tomahawk

He did have B Schenn resigning at $1.5M, though. And eating $2.25M of Vinny, which seems high.

Ha! I don't love his Power Polls, but the offseason tracker gets stronger each year.
- AllInForFlyers

I think his power polls are at least based on some statistical measure, as opposed to most where they group teams in groups of 5 and use a dart board.

But they didn't do anything behind the scenes secretly. I still don't think the nhl tried to help Pitt and NY specifically. I think they were just trying to balance the league like they always have since the lockout
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't buy into the part of the conspiracy that has Bettman hand-picking the ping pong balls out of the machine... but I do believe that the financial health of the league, specific franchise considerations and potential growth were probably factored into the equation in 2005, in addition to good old fashioned parity concerns.

I find it almost beyond the realm of belief to think that owners such as Ed Snider, James Dolan, Geoff Molson, etc would allow the league to rig the draft in favor of certain teams.

I doubt any threat from the NHL would silence them. Ed Snider, with the backing of Comcast/NBC is more powerful than the NHL if he wants to be. And add in those other big time owners...the NHL wouldn't stand a chance.

The only reason those owners toe any line is because they wish to.

He did have B Schenn resigning at $1.5M, though. And eating $2.25M of Vinny, which seems high.
- jmatchett383

Didn't even realize there was a capgeek roster attached... yeah, Handzus and $1.5M for Schenn is curious.

You think they're going to be intentionally bad, or just regular bad with a Kesler move?
- AllInForFlyers

Bad enough to miss the playoffs but good enough to rig the lottery

Yeah. I think Amac was overpaid, but he's not as bad as the general Corsi numbers would indicate. I just don't want the Flyers to think he can play on the top pair. He needs to be sheltered a bit and not overused
- PhillySportsGuy

He's been steadily sub-par at driving play, irrespective of teammates, team, competition, usage and tactics. The way he looked in the Rangers series was very disconcerting.

I think his power polls are at least based on some statistical measure, as opposed to most where they group teams in groups of 5 and use a dart board.
- jmatchett383

They are, but for some reason, it feels like the injury factor might be a little loose at times. Granted, i don't see his math, but there are times when it gets a little funky when the same caliber of players are hurt but the rankings don't appear to reflect that with some wide variances, at times

Not a single mention of trading for Shea Weber, Bobby Ryab or needing Ryan Miller... that Cullen ain't so bad.
- Tomahawk

but he still thinks mason is a question. i suppose that's fair...but not really. he was great after the acquisition in 2013, and had a very good season this year, including the playoffs.

he's not a 2nd year player, and the flyers have a good team in front of him, despite the holes and team needs.

shut up, scott cullen.

He's been steadily sub-par at driving play, irrespective of teammates, team, competition, usage and tactics. The way he looked in the Rangers series was very disconcerting.
- Tomahawk

Just gotta protect him, play him with Schenn and hope for,the best...gotta hope Schenn takes a step forward. That just needs to happen.