The product on the ice would be terrible. The whole point of the cap is to create parity in the league. The draft also accomplishes this. You don't want 10-1 games all season. The Hurricanes/Nashvilles/FLDs of the world would be terrible and in even more distress then they are now with fan turnout. It would be no fun to watch and the whole league would suffer. Give me another idea.
- coffee junkie

The system now doesn't really work either for many of those teams. The Preds are pretty much the only smart market team that has had any consistency over the last 15 years.

The product on the ice would be terrible. The whole point of the cap is to create parity in the league. The draft also accomplishes this. You don't want 10-1 games all season. The Hurricanes/Nashvilles/FLDs of the world would be terrible and in even more distress then they are now with fan turnout. It would be no fun to watch and the whole league would suffer. Give me another idea.
- coffee junkie

quit bossing him around bro

He chose the Flyers though. McDavid didn't choose the Oilers.
- PhillySportsGuy

That must be fantasy land. Choosing where you work? HA!

How did he lie?

Because the Pred said he did?

Do teams ever lie to players? Did the flyers bring in Dan Cleary only to see him change his mind and go somewhere else.

It's a business.
- J35Bacher

Yes. Based on what I've read about the many years long relationship they've had with the kid I believe them when they say they were blindsided by this. And it speaks to his character and the character of those managing him.

Yes, but like the "real world" the goal is to gain market share by being better than your competition, and one of those methods is by forcing the competition to go out of business. So like I said, if the NHL operted like the "real world", the goal of every NHL team should be to make the other teams fold, therefore maximizing market control.
- jmatchett383

We should let Toronto buy Ottawa, absorb players, market share, fan revenue, etc. Who else should be forcibly taken over?

The product on the ice would be terrible. The whole point of the cap is to create parity in the league. The draft also accomplishes this. You don't want 10-1 games all season. The Hurricanes/Nashvilles/FLDs of the world would be terrible and in even more distress then they are now with fan turnout. It would be no fun to watch and the whole league would suffer. Give me another idea.
- coffee junkie

My idea is the draft is fine. You'll have to talk to others about alternatives. lol

And if that's the worst I say oh well.

I mean Straka was drafted by the Blue Jackets and then they elected to not sign him. Do you think they were up front with him about that or waited until the last moment to make that decision.

With Vesey the pressure is on him now. He played his card, will sign with a team he wants. I guess he better not become a bust.
- J35Bacher

Oh, I'm not saying you or Scoob were right or wrong, it's just the nature of the beast. At the same time, I'm sure the team was very proactive in communicating with him since the drafted him, so I'm assuming he would allow them to gauge his interest somewhat honestly.

Sure. But is it good for the league? Without which, players can go pound sand.
- wolfhounds

I honestly don't think it is, which is why I haven't really added much to this argument. I agree with points made on both sides. The draft is one of the most exciting things about the NHL and getting rid of it does a disservice to fans. I can't see anyone wanting to attend or tune into a giant mess of kids trying to sign contracts with any team they want.

I just find it funny that this is another example of Poile being frustrated with written rules in the CBA. The Flyers signed Weber to a massive offer sheet, so he (allegedly) decides to cut ties with any sort of trades with them. Now, Vesey exercises his right to sign with any team and Poile blows up. If Vesey's camp did lie, that is morally wrong but certainly not illegal. He didn't sign a written agreement so he's allowed to choose who he wants.

I think it would be stupid for him to choose the Leafs over the Preds, though. Yeah, his dad and brother are in the organization and they're heading down the right path toward contending again, but I think I'd want a taste of the playoffs right away. He could've played for the Preds, in the playoffs, right now.

Yes, but like the "real world" the goal is to gain market share by being better than your competition, and one of those methods is by forcing the competition to go out of business. So like I said, if the NHL operted like the "real world", the goal of every NHL team should be to make the other teams fold, therefore maximizing market control.
- jmatchett383

Sorry too political to go down that road, lets just say I believe in the power of collaboration. Competition in nature, as defined by biology, creates two losers. I need to sign off so I'm out but that's my not so profound contribution for the day.

Don't worry, he'll get the respect he deserves when he wins the Masterton for his brave struggle.
- BulliesPhan87

Sorry, Ghost has that one locked down.

He also chose to enter into a profession where he knew that he would have to play for whatever team drafted him. If he didn't like that, he could have gone to college or chosen a different profession. Heck, he could pack up his poop and do that right now if he wanted to.

If I knew that being a mechanical engineer meant that I would have to work for whichever company world-wide selected me (say, an oil company in Iraq or West Virginia), I would probably not be a mechanical engineer.

Also, if you didn't get the sarcasm in my post about VLC...
- jmatchett383

But you're basically just saying because these kids are making good money, they don't deserve to be fairly compensated.

All I'm saying is that the players are entitled to make what they're worth and that means being able to negotiate with any team.

The first 5 years would be chaos, but I believe everything would stabilize and we'd be better for it.

Then I'll just take the hotdog.
- mayorofangrytown

Will it be eaten vertically or horizontally?

Yes. Based on what I've read about the many years long relationship they've had with the kid I believe them when they say they were blindsided by this. And it speaks to his character and the character of those managing him.
- Scoob

So the predators drafted and signed Seth Jones. Signed him to a contract and I am sure told him he is part of the future. Then trade Seth Jones because they wanted something else. Did they lie or is it a business?

That must be fantasy land. Choosing where you work? HA!
- Richard_wilderness

Every single person who plays for or works in the NHL can choose where they want to work. If, however, they want to work for the NHL, they do so of their own free will and accept the conditions set forth.

Are we crying poor for the players, or are we saying it's just a darn shame they get to play hockey for a living? Or are we saying everybody should get their name on the Stanley Cup? No player left behind or something like that.

That must be fantasy land. Choosing where you work? HA!
- Richard_wilderness

I feel bad for JSaq being drafted by Comcast

I don't like buns, so I'll take the hot dog pattie.
- jmatchett383

I like mine split and fried unless it's from Jimmy Johns on 202.

I feel bad for JSaq being drafted by Comcast
- PhillySportsGuy

He always wanted to work for Service Electric.

But you're basically just saying because these kids are making good money, they don't deserve to be fairly compensated.

All I'm saying is that the players are entitled to make what they're worth and that means being able to negotiate with any team.

The first 5 years would be chaos, but I believe everything would stabilize and we'd be better for it.
- PhillySportsGuy

No, I'm saying that they choose a profession where they know that they will have to play for whoever drafts them, and they are fine with that. I'm sure that the lucrative contracts they sign are part of that determination.

Like I said, if I knew that pursuing a career as an ME meant that I'd have to work where I was told, I may choose a different career path. However, if it came with a $900K/year salary, then maybe I'd stay the course.

But yes, to an extent, if you can make 10x my current salary by playing a game as an 18-year-old, then I am not going to cry than you can't bump that number up to 100x my salary (which would be roughly 200x my dad's salary, who works harder than most NHL players). I think that qualifies as "fairly compensated."

Oh, I'm not saying you or Scoob were right or wrong, it's just the nature of the beast. At the same time, I'm sure the team was very proactive in communicating with him since the drafted him, so I'm assuming he would allow them to gauge his interest somewhat honestly.
- jmatchett383

I understand.

And I am sure when he talked to them he probably gave them token answers that really didn't sway one way or another. I think this is the team trying to kind of get in front of it in a way and put it on the player.

Will it be eaten vertically or horizontally?
- Scoob

folded in half horizontally, dipped in a chocolate milkshake and eaten in one bite.

I can't see anyone wanting to attend or tune into a giant mess of kids trying to sign contracts with any team they want.
- TobyFlenderson

I'm picturing a huge NHL "Career Day" where they all bring their resumes and highlight clip portfolio and visit the team tables they like. lol

He always wanted to work for Service Electric.
- mayorofangrytown

I heard he bought a house there. He's definitely leaving after this season. I heard he hates the GM. He also hates GM. Would never work there

I like mine split and fried unless it's from Jimmy Johns on 202.


- mayorofangrytown

I've seen Chase Utley getting his haircut at the barber's next door to that place a lot.

I understand.

And I am sure when he talked to them he probably gave them token answers that really didn't sway one way or another. I think this is the team trying to kind of get in front of it in a way and put it on the player.
- J35Bacher

Preds: "So Jimmy, this is your last year, you must be pretty excited."
Vesey: "Yep."
Preds: "Soooo...have you given any thought to signing with us after you're done with college?"
Vesey: "Yeah, sorta, I don't know."
Preds: "We're really excited about seeing you with us in the future, that's why we used a draft pick on you."
Vesey: "Sorry, I was eating a burrito. What was that again? Oh yeah, um, I mean, cool, I guess."
Preds: "So are you interested in signing with us?"
vesey: "Dude, I'm busy watching MTV. Text me later."
Preds: "Jimmy...hello? Jimmy?"

No, I'm saying that they choose a profession where they know that they will have to play for whoever drafts them, and they are fine with that. I'm sure that the lucrative contracts they sign are part of that determination.

Like I said, if I knew that pursuing a career as an ME meant that I'd have to work where I was told, I may choose a different career path. However, if it came with a $900K/year salary, then maybe I'd stay the course.

But yes, to an extent, if you can make 10x my current salary by playing a game as an 18-year-old, then I am not going to cry than you can't bump that number up to 100x my salary (which would be roughly 200x my dad's salary, who works harder than most NHL players). I think that qualifies as "fairly compensated."
- jmatchett383

They're kids in the NHL and this is the way it's always been done, so they're never going to outwardly complain. They aren't crying poor, but I'd be pretty pissed if I had to wait 7 years before I could get fair market value for what I was doing. Especially when a normal NHL career isn't even that long.