Thank you for acknowledging my earlier thoughts and request.
As for Kucherov, there were two main contact incidents in the Finals against the Capitals, where I believe in a game, he may have initially administered some type of forceful hit or even a stick incident against a Capitals player, and then later had received a similar or related to payback in return that may have shaken him up slightly. I don't believe that he sustained anything of a noteworthy magnitude injury wise, unless Tampa has kept that a secret all along since then.
- RangerSaver

The Islanders are loaded with prospects. Makes far more sense for the Islanders to chase Kucherov, even the Devils. Something here just does not add up.

Also. Tampa isnt in a bad spot salary wise. Sure Callahan needs to go. But they dont need to pay someone to move Coburn. They dont even need to move him at all. 1 year left on his contract.
- poisondhearts37

Yzerman does not have a cap problem. Karlsson has one year left at $6.5m. Next year Yzerman has a ton of salary coming off and a bunch of expensive contract to be negotiated. No doubt he knows what he thinks he wants for opening night in 2019.

I checked. Both Kucherov and Point had good playoff stats over 17 games. Next year, is Kucherov going to be worth an 8 year deal at $7m plus? You would think multiple teams would want to make offers if Yzerman made him avaiable.

The Kucherov part of this riddle is a brain teaser.
- spatso

At about a $4.8M bargain for this season, Kucherov should be worth likely even more than $7M on the open market, especially should he have a great 2018/19 season. J.T. Miller was just even given a 4 year deal at a $5.25M annual cap hit.
Maybe that's in part why Tampa is making him available, in knowing they also have 10 other potential Pro roster free agents after this upcoming season ends, which include Point (at $666K), Gourde (at $1M), and Stralman (at $4.5M) among a key few. In addition, Vasilevskiy at $3.5M will be due a big increase by two summers from now, when he will become RFA eligible.

What a Maroon!!

At about a $4.8M bargain for this season, Kucherov should be worth likely even more than $7M on the open market, especially should he have a great 2018/19 season. J.T. Miller was just even given a 4 year deal at a $5.25M annual cap hit.
Maybe that's in part why Tampa is making him available, in knowing they also have 10 other potential Pro roster free agents after this upcoming season ends, which include Point (at $666K), Gourde (at $1M), and Stralman (at $4.5M) among a key few. In addition, Vasilevskiy at $3.5M will be due a big increase by two summers from now, when he will become RFA eligible.
- RangerSaver

So, why limit his potential value by putting all the focus exclusively on the Rangers? It does not compute unless there is something very specific that Tampa or Ottawa wants from the Rangers.

What a Maroon!!
- 22bossy

Coitanly

To Ottawa
F Tyler Johnson
F Taylor Raddysh
D Anton Stralman
- AlfieisKing[2 x 4.5m extension]
D Braydon Coburn
D Cal Foote

To New York
F Ryan Callahan
$1.5m of Zack Smith
$2m of Bobby Ryan contract
2020 1st [TB]
2019 3rd [OTT]

To Tampa
F Bobby Ryan [5.25 cap hit]
F Zack Smith [1.75 cap hit]
D Erik Karlsson [8 x 9.5m]

My guess some of that will happen

Definitely E5 like Eklund told everyone yesterday. Ottawa’s unsubstantiated rumors always cause confusion over unofficial, nonsensical trades.

So if maroon isn’t signed, we have thrown away how many picks? I’d rather just sign Maroon and stay away from whatever Ottawa is trying to do

Why Tampa would let go of one of their two best forwards in Kucherov in part, to acquire Karlsson is mind boggling, but yet, has been discussed as one option.
The way the Rangers would get him would be in addition to sending an asset(s) to Ottawa, by also taking two of Tampa's contracts off their hands in first, Callahan, (their 2nd highest paid forward at a $5.8M cap hit for 2 more seasons), who will be out due to off season surgery for at least the first month of this season. They would also acquire as one additional option, Coburn's $3.7M contract remaining through this season prior to becoming a UFA, if he agrees to go to the Rangers due to having a Modified NTC.
So that's $9.5M of combined cap space the Rangers would also take off Tampa's hands, to help fit Karlsson in their cap, who is seeking in excess of $11M annually at the least for an 8 year term. Then Tampa will still have a long ways to go during the season, to try and fit into their 2019/20 season's cap, a total of 10 other pro roster free agents alone besides Coburn who they would not likely re-sign anyway. Among those are two other top d'men prospects in Sergachev and Dotchin rumored in part to go to Ottawa in this deal. However, those free agents also include Kucherov who currently at just shy of $4.8M through next June, will be due a large increase on his new contract starting next July.
- RangerSaver

To me it just makes more sense for kuch to go to Ottawa since they are getting rid of Karlsson

Definitely E5 like Eklund told everyone yesterday. Ottawa’s unsubstantiated rumors always cause confusion over unofficial, nonsensical trades.
- Aetherial

Well played sir. Well played.

Well played sir. Well played.
- leonkennedy

Stupid things take a while. That is the third one. It's my favourite

Stupid things take a while. That is the third one. It's my favourite
- Aetherial

The beauty of it is that it is a valid, coherent post.
And I fully understand what a pain in the ass it is to individually boldface those letters.

The beauty of it is that it is a valid, coherent post.
And I fully understand what a pain in the ass it is to individually boldface those letters.
- leonkennedy

No it is coming up with something coherent starting with those letters!!

No it is coming up with something coherent starting with those letters!!
- Aetherial

Truth. Especially because you want it to be a hockey related post. Since after all this is a hockey related website. And we always strive to follow the Code of Conduct in here.

Truth. Especially because you want it to be a hockey related post. Since after all this is a hockey related website. And we always strive to follow the Code of Conduct in here.
- leonkennedy

To me it just makes more sense for kuch to go to Ottawa since they are getting rid of Karlsson
- 716

Sucks for Kuch is that happens

To me it just makes more sense for kuch to go to Ottawa since they are getting rid of Karlsson
- 716

That might make sense, but is not possible given Tampa's tight cap situation, which they only have shy of $3.5M today, and will be even worse next summer. That's when as a regular Cup contender, even if Kucherov is dealt ahead, they will have 10 other Pro roster free agents to have to either deal with, or part with ahead of that time, and replace to contend still. Those 10 include some key players like Point, Gourde, and Stralman, who combined right now comprise a little under only $6.2M of their cap, of which those first two will be due huge salary increases, along with Stralman getting a lesser increase from his current $4.5M alone. And that's without including Karlsson's expected annual $11M minimum on an 8 year extension, instead of his current $6.5M cap hit for this final season.

Eklund: What's the Hold Up? on Karlsson and Patrick Maroon...
- Eklund

Truculence.

That might make sense, but is not possible given Tampa's tight cap situation, which they only have shy of $3.5M today, and will be even worse next summer. That's when as a regular Cup contender, even if Kucherov is dealt ahead, they will have 10 other Pro roster free agents to have to either deal with, or part with ahead of that time, and replace to contend still. Those 10 include some key players like Point, Gourde, and Stralman, who combined right now comprise a little under only $6.2M of their cap, of which those first two will be due huge salary increases, along with Stralman getting a lesser increase from his current $4.5M alone. And that's without including Karlsson's expected annual $11M minimum on an 8 year extension, instead of his current $6.5M cap hit for this final season.
- RangerSaver

So, how does Kucherov even enter into the discussion? If, for example, Ottawa asked for Point, Foote and a pick (or prospect) it would be a great deal for Ottawa and a doable trade for the Lightening.

But, when Yzerman looks at the numbers he needs to ask himself. Will I be able to afford to keep both Point and Kucherov next summer and if I can only keep one which one do I want. And, that might be the reason we are seeing Kucherov's name being floated in a possible deal.

Now if Kucherov's name is being floated as a possible trade why is it linked to the Rangers? Because Larry Brooks floated the rumour that Rangers might be the third party in a Karlsson deal with Kucherov being made available.

Just like it was "once" suggested Rangers were a leading call for Karlsson, it might be they are merely contenders or also rans to acquire Kucherov. Hard to believe that the Islanders, Vegas and especially Edmonton would not want to be part of the action. They all have some great pieces and prospects. Kucherov offers speed and a scoring touch. Nothing here adds up in terms of making this an exclusive Ranger play for Kucherov.

Remember when Dallas last week jumped in as the leading contender for Karllson. It was merely a last gasp desperate play by the Stars at a Hail Mary. They probably knew that Tampa had locked in the deal with Ottawa and they wanted the world to know they had tried really hard. Same situation here. Rangers and Larry Brooks wanted fans to know they tried hard to get on the inside of what is coming down.

It will be fun to unpack all the noise on this once we know what is the actual outcome.

The hold up probably is that the Sens what to maximize his usage as well as his value. The last thing they want is to give away first overall. That would be such a black eye on the organization for years to come and piss off the few fans they have left. Even if they win 5 more games with EK in the lineup that's 10 points and may put them ahead of the other bottom dwellers like the Yotes and the habs. Then they trade him at the deadlin.

So maybe you can work that into your made up "roomers" you fraud. Throw in the ol' sign and trade. You can milk this for months to come yet you fraud.

The L.A Kings are interested in a big way. Trying to find the 30th team in a deal to make it all work. Maple Leafs involved....dont stay tuned

No it is coming up with something coherent starting with those letters!!
- Aetherial

Or you could just say that he lost his bet, and in your opinion he should delete his account. it's not just you are the only one who thinks he should delete his account as I feel he should delete his account and coga thinks he should delete his account. But those are just, like opinions, man.

The hold up probably is that the Sens what to maximize his usage as well as his value. The last thing they want is to give away first overall. That would be such a black eye on the organization for years to come and piss off the few fans they have left. Even if they win 5 more games with EK in the lineup that's 10 points and may put them ahead of the other bottom dwellers like the Yotes and the habs. Then they trade him at the deadlin.

So maybe you can work that into your made up "roomers" you fraud. Throw in the ol' sign and trade. You can milk this for months to come yet you fraud.
- Greyman

I think it is probably too late but there is one group pushing to buy the Sens that very much want for Karlsson to stay in Ottawa. It is a long shot but the delay in closing the deal may have something to do with the pending sale of the Sens to new local ownership (perhaps including Alfredsson in future team direction). Almost certain if the Alfredsson linked group buys out the Sens, Karlsson stays.

The hold up probably is that the Sens what to maximize his usage as well as his value. The last thing they want is to give away first overall. That would be such a black eye on the organization for years to come and piss off the few fans they have left. Even if they win 5 more games with EK in the lineup that's 10 points and may put them ahead of the other bottom dwellers like the Yotes and the habs. Then they trade him at the deadlin.

So maybe you can work that into your made up "roomers" you fraud. Throw in the ol' sign and trade. You can milk this for months to come yet you fraud.
- Greyman

But if they allow him to play, and he blows out a knee or ankle, he is worth nothing. No one will give anything for him and just throw money at him come next july and the sens look worse for not getting what they could before the injury. The right time is now. If they want to ensure a return it may not be significant if the demand to include Bobby ryan, but to ensure a return they move him before he could reinjure himself.

But if they allow him to play, and he blows out a knee or ankle, he is worth nothing. No one will give anything for him and just throw money at him come next july and the sens look worse for not getting what they could before the injury. The right time is now. If they want to ensure a return it may not be significant if the demand to include Bobby ryan, but to ensure a return they move him before he could reinjure himself.
- wreckage

Probably does not work that way. I doubt Karlsson plays without a new contract. He has far more to worry about than anyone else. It would be a great loss for the Sens if he were to experience a career ending injury. But, it would be a tragedy for Karlsson and his agent.