Preparing for tomorrow is something we should all do, for sure. And for some guys, it just doesn't work out as planned. I grew up near Marcus Hook, where they recently closed some of the refineries. I grew up with people that worked there and they couldn't conceive of working anywhere else because they felt like the refinery would be there. Now, it's not. Telling them "you should have prepared for tomorrow" is cold comfort. Even those companies attempt to provide some sort of outplacement programs, but it's not the same as a job.

Same with some ex-players. Some could probably never conceive of not having the game they grew up as part of their lives. And some of the burden IS on the players to have plan. But the NHL could absolutely help with that sort of thing.
- johndewar

Part of preparing for tomorrow is living well below your means today, regardless of your job/occupation.

My hope is that, should he make it as a regular on the 3rd pair, Gudas can cut back on the penalties a bit. Unless the PK makes a huge comeback next year, it could be a very long season.
- tangent_man

At the very least he should be pushing for that spot, but if they feel more minutes in better in the AHL to start that's fine too.

Part of preparing for tomorrow is living well below your means today, regardless of your job/occupation.
- Scoob

Honestly, the same thing happens to the average Joe, if he doesn't prepare for retirement, and the future. For some it's even worse, living from paycheck to paycheck, or not even able to pay the bills or put food on the table. A professional athlete can walk into any bank or financial institution and find financial planners and consultants.

At the very least he should be pushing for that spot, but if they feel more minutes in better in the AHL to start that's fine too.
- ob18

It'll just be good that there is an option and they can keep him in pro hockey.

Berube's a pimp. He never could have outfought Reese. It wasn't until this very moment, that I realized, it was Hextall all along.
- KINGKENZO

- BiggE

Thanks for getting it

VL has proven to be too brittle even in his limited role

http://www.businessinsider.com/study-shows-money-can-buy-happiness-2015-1

There's been plenty of other studies also. It's simply not true. Financial well being and happiness strongly correlate. Of course there are outliers
- Just5

"Happiness" is a nebulous terms that means different things to different people. However, when it comes to things such as anxiety and depression, there are just as many equally credible studies that show material possessions/ financial holdings are largely unrelated to mental health.

Anecdotally speaking, some of the "unhappiest" people I know are relatives and friends whom others would consider to have great lives because of their financial status, material things they can provide for their families, etc.

It's very hard to have it all in life. Making money often comes at a heavy cost in other areas, and the money itself often ends up not feeling as rewarding in the end. For example, why do you think that old "Cat's in the Cradle" song moves so many grown men to tears? It strikes a little too close to home about putting careers ahead of family and living to regret it later in life.

http://www.businessinsider.com/study-shows-money-can-buy-happiness-2015-1

There's been plenty of other studies also. It's simply not true. Financial well being and happiness strongly correlate. Of course there are outliers
- Just5

Having financial stability in a well-managed manner is different from acquiring instant wealth and "buying" the happiness. Most people who are "happy" in it, have worked hard for it. And they realize just what it, and themselves, are worth. People who often attain "instant wealth" are the ones who seem to fall victim to it. Look at many lottery winners who go broke.. sports stars who struggle with drugs during, and money after their fame.. movie stars and singers who travel down the wrong path of drugs and corruption...

The big thing is knowing what to do with it when you get it.. and I just don't think many people, especially kids coming into the league at 18 making millions, potentially, know how to do that properly.

Not trying to generalize either side (instant wealth vs earned).. just observations I've seen personally, and on the large scale of pro sports/celebrities.

Okay, someone explain something to me because it would seem that ob18 and I are the only ones on the same page. Last night I brought up by the Jets being swept, our pick gets worse value (Meaning the Jets finally get a better pick then us) but others keep bringing up the best the pick can get and the worse. From my understand every team's first round pick's value in the draft is based on the order a team is knocked out of the playoff. If Tampa won the Stanley Cup, we would pick 30th. What am I missing when someone says they believe we could only pick 26th at worse?

Having financial stability in a well-managed manner is different from acquiring instant wealth and "buying" the happiness. Most people who are "happy" in it, have worked hard for it. And they realize just what it, and themselves, are worth. People who often attain "instant wealth" are the ones who seem to fall victim to it. Look at many lottery winners who go broke.. sports stars who struggle with drugs during, and money after their fame.. movie stars and singers who travel down the wrong path of drugs and corruption...

The big thing is knowing what to do with it when you get it.. and I just don't think many people, especially kids coming into the league at 18 making millions, potentially, know how to do that properly.

Not trying to generalize either side (instant wealth vs earned).. just observations I've seen personally, and on the large scale of pro sports/celebrities.
- WarriorHockey21

It's kinda crazy to even think about kids my age making that kind of money. Coots is my age and he make 1.75 mil.... I know personally I'd have huge trouble managing that kind of money... I'd be buying poop all the time. I have trouble sometimes managing a $35000 salary... It's crazy to expect kids to be able to managetheir money properly. but again that goes back to having 3rd party financial planners at their disposal.

Honestly, the same thing happens to the average Joe, if he doesn't prepare for retirement, and the future. For some it's even worse, living from paycheck to paycheck, or not even able to pay the bills or put food on the table. A professional athlete can walk into any bank or financial institution and find financial planners and consultants.
- MJL

Your love for financial planners makes me sick.

Unless you're a real physical specimen it's a much lower percentage strategy than gaining possession of the puck and clearing the zone. When LSchenn tries to battle in the crease the puck usually just deflects off his skate and goes in.
- Feanor

I'm being a bit far-fetched. Schenn and Grossmann are, for the most part, very one-dimensional players. Yes, Grossmann actually has a fairly nice shot and can block a shot well, but they're generally slow, hard-hitting defensemen. With respect to Grossmann, however, he is incredibly good positionally (in close quarters) as to allow him to clear the porch, so the speak. Pittsburgh could have used that last night, as opposed to defensemen who half-heartedly flail at the puck while the Rangers try to jam it in.

Agreed? You're a Lecavalier lover also?


Not only is it unprofessional, it would also find the team in hot water if they're attempting to coerce and leverage Lecavalier to walk away from future years of a legitimate and valid signed contract by threatening him with any condition that they'll put him in, such as being a 13th forward, or a healthy scratch.
They can certainly be honest with him and simply tell him how they feel and communicate the role they see for him, but they can't be involved with anything such as accepting a trade or giving up future years, or else type of deal.

And for the record, I felt that Lecavalier publicly stating that he can't coexist with Berube was also unprofessional.
- MJL

he's my fav

Lecavalier is definitely becoming unprofessional with this situation. It's a war of words the Flyers shouldn't engage. Just ride it out, and once the contract is done tell him, "Don't go away mad, just go away."

Part of preparing for tomorrow is living well below your means today, regardless of your job/occupation.
- Scoob

That is why I never go out to dinner, turn on lights, eat a good meal, or go on vacation.

Having financial stability in a well-managed manner is different from acquiring instant wealth and "buying" the happiness. Most people who are "happy" in it, have worked hard for it. And they realize just what it, and themselves, are worth. People who often attain "instant wealth" are the ones who seem to fall victim to it. Look at many lottery winners who go broke.. sports stars who struggle with drugs during, and money after their fame.. movie stars and singers who travel down the wrong path of drugs and corruption...

The big thing is knowing what to do with it when you get it.. and I just don't think many people, especially kids coming into the league at 18 making millions, potentially, know how to do that properly.

Not trying to generalize either side (instant wealth vs earned).. just observations I've seen personally, and on the large scale of pro sports/celebrities.
- WarriorHockey21

Generally that's how it's works though. Professional athletes, especially ones with extensive brain damage and lottery winners would certainly qualify as outliers. However the old phrase that your grandpa told you "money doesn't buy happiness". Well I'm not buying it and neither are the studies. No pun intended.

Your love for financial planners makes me sick.
- hockeylover

I've started a fan club, want to join. Joe Smith at Wells Fargo is planner of the month.

I'm being a bit far-fetched. Schenn and Grossmann are, for the most part, very one-dimensional players. Yes, Grossmann actually has a fairly nice shot and can block a shot well, but they're generally slow, hard-hitting defensemen. With respect to Grossmann, however, he is incredibly good positionally (in close quarters) as to allow him to clear the porch, so the speak. Pittsburgh could have used that last night, as opposed to defensemen who half-heartedly flail at the puck while the Rangers try to jam it in.
- jmatchett383

I think this is fair and nothing wrong with this. Every player has a role. Every player has their limitations. With this said, Schenn trying to clear the crease and the puck just happening to ricochet off him is bad luck. It happens.

Agreed? You're a Lecavalier lover also?


Not only is it unprofessional, it would also find the team in hot water if they're attempting to coerce and leverage Lecavalier to walk away from future years of a legitimate and valid signed contract by threatening him with any condition that they'll put him in, such as being a 13th forward, or a healthy scratch.
They can certainly be honest with him and simply tell him how they feel and communicate the role they see for him, but they can't be involved with anything such as accepting a trade or giving up future years, or else type of deal.

And for the record, I felt that Lecavalier publicly stating that he can't coexist with Berube was also unprofessional.
- MJL

If the Flyers did what was originally brought up (basically tell him that he's never going to play but must participate in all team functions), I don't think Lecavalier has any legal recourse. They are still paying him (fairly well) and there is nothing that I see that would violate the terms of his contract (without seeing it in full in front of me). Is it unprofessional, absolutely. But they are paying him to be a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, which means that he would have to participate in all Philadelphia-Flyers-related events (with the exception of excused absences) whether or not he is in the lineup on any given night.

Now, he could complain to his NHLPA representative who would formal an internal grievance against the team.

I think this is fair and nothing wrong with this. Every player has a role. Every player has their limitations. With this said, Schenn trying to clear the crease and the puck just happening to ricochet off him is bad luck. It happens.
- SuperSchennBros

I agree, to an extent, as even the Ray Bourque/Nik Lidstrom types had pucks deflect off of them (probably). But it seems to happen rarely yet more frequently with Schenn that others. "Bad luck" usually is only valid over a short span.

he's my fav

Lecavalier is definitely becoming unprofessional with this situation. It's a war of words the Flyers shouldn't engage. Just ride it out, and once the contract is done tell him, "Don't go away mad, just go away."
- BulliesPhan87

I really don't mind what Vinny said after the season finished. He's put the onus on himself to have a much better season now that Berube's gone, and if he doesn't, there are no excuses left.

I agree, to an extent, as even the Ray Bourque/Nik Lidstrom types had pucks deflect off of them (probably). But it seems to happen rarely yet more frequently with Schenn that others. "Bad luck" usually is only valid over a short span.
- jmatchett383

Well I've seen greats score on their own net. I've never seen Luke Schenn score on his own team ever.

Well I've seen greats score on their own net. I've never seen Luke Schenn score on his own team ever.
- SuperSchennBros

That's because he has a horrible shot.

Bfuglyien with a few real questionable plays in his own end in that Anaheim series. Last night completely abandoning his player to try for a hit on Perry, only to get deked and scored on.

Also Etem a frequent healthy scratch for Anaheim. What a move, what depth that team has. That defense seems to have settled down

Slightly off topic, but on a scale from 1 to "Hartnell for Umberger", how bad does the David Perron trade look for the Pens right now?