Question for ya, Bingsie:

What were you expecting the 'canes' offer to Aho was going to be?

Was it going to be higher than $8.5 million AAV? Lower?
- Atomic Wedgie

their final offer? I figured they'd land somewhere over $8.5 but below 9 for 7 years.

I think he's actually worth 9-9.5, but RFA status hurts him.

their final offer? I figured they'd land somewhere over $8.5 but below 9 for 7 years.

I think he's actually worth 9-9.5, but RFA status hurts him.
- BINGO!

any chance the habs are playing the long game here? Signing him to 5 years to walk him to UFA. He said he wants to play in Montreal. If they don't get the player now, they have another great shot in 5 years.

i'd argue he's a year older and you pay a little less based on him being closer to his full potential.

plus tampa always pays less.
- Tumbleweed

Tampa gets away with having a no income tax situation, in Florida, plus great weather. The league needs to look into some equalization because of the different tax rates in different provinces and states in the next collective bargaining agreement.

any chance the habs are playing the long game here? Signing him to 5 years to walk him to UFA. He said he wants to play in Montreal. If they don't get the player now, they have another great shot in 5 years.
- RickJames77

His AGENT said he wants to play in Montreal. His agent also represents 6 guys currently on Montreal's roster.

I dunno. There's a chance.

Aho is talking to the media in about 10 minutes, so we'll see what he has to say.

Tampa gets away with having a no income tax situation, in Florida, plus great weather. The league needs to look into some equalization because of the different tax rates in different provinces and states in the next collective bargaining agreement.
- PrinceLH

The Athletic had an article on this the other day. It's not happening and actually does not have as much of an effect on signings as you think. It's towards the bottom of the list. If you want to factor in taxes, then what about cost of living for a particular area, schools, quality of life? Where does leveling the playing field stop?

His AGENT said he wants to play in Montreal. His agent also represents 6 guys currently on Montreal's roster.

I dunno. There's a chance.

Aho is talking to the media in about 10 minutes, so we'll see what he has to say.
- BINGO!

Fair enough...I wonder if an agent would say that if it weren't true though. I mean they are representing the player, but you know how they play games so who knows.

I'm as happy as a pig in poop that the Canes are matching

Really liking Dubas moves. Good to see Dubas take Babcock out from the knees as he got rid of most of Babs over played lesser or old players.

so i'm really liking what dubas has down with the 4th line, spare F's and 5-7 dmen.

a bunch of interchangeable parts at $700k a piece, lots of competition. guys are guaranteed their nhl salary and at minimum playing in the city of toronto.

cap is polarizied. top 7 take the lions share (> 50%), bottom 8 get scraps (<10%). the 8 in the middle class fight over the left overs ~1/3.

His AGENT said he wants to play in Montreal. His agent also represents 6 guys currently on Montreal's roster.

I dunno. There's a chance.

Aho is talking to the media in about 10 minutes, so we'll see what he has to say.
- BINGO!

"It was flattering to receive this offer from Montreal. They are an original six team."

"But my first choice was to remain in Carolina. I love my teammates, I trust the coaching staff, and I am excited about the direction this team is headed with new owner Thomas Dundon."

"Now that this is over, I can focus on my one and only goal: bringing a Stanley Cup back to our fans."

Fair enough...I wonder if an agent would say that if it weren't true though. I mean they are representing the player, but you know how they play games so who knows.

I'm as happy as a pig in poop that the Canes are matching
- RickJames77

Habs, looking at the inside from the outside. Not good enough to make the playoffs, not bad enough for a franchise first rounder in the draft. Purgatory!

The Athletic had an article on this the other day. It's not happening and actually does not have as much of an effect on signings as you think. It's towards the bottom of the list. If you want to factor in taxes, then what about cost of living for a particular area, schools, quality of life? Where does leveling the playing field stop?
- RickJames77

Panthers would argue they don't get the same advantage.

The Athletic had an article on this the other day. It's not happening and actually does not have as much of an effect on signings as you think. It's towards the bottom of the list. If you want to factor in taxes, then what about cost of living for a particular area, schools, quality of life? Where does leveling the playing field stop?
- RickJames77

It stops when WE get the advantage. Sheesh.

It stops when WE get the advantage. Sheesh.
- Monkeypunk

Really liking Dubas moves. Good to see Dubas take Babcock out from the knees as he got rid of most of Babs over played lesser or old players.
- 5Hole Mgee

The moves were good for the short term. I still believe that the Leafs need at least one more good defenseman, preferably a right shot, so they can move Ceci down to the 3rd pairing. Come playoff time, you need at least 8 NHL caliber defensemen to make a deep playoff run. More grit is also required on the wings to give them a chance at overtaking the Bolts and the Bruins.

On Ceci, many slag this guy, but he wasn't a bad defenseman during the Karlesson era. He slotted into the second pairing and was serviceable. Playing on a bad team will take its toll on a player. He probably sees this as a second chance and increasing his value at the end of his contract.

And we now have Kevin Gravel!!!!
- Atomic Wedgie

I hear he has tremendous grit to his game.

I expect these signing bonuses to be an impasse in future CBA negotiations. I was reading about how much they mess up the escrow for the 50/50 revenue sharing. Any chance they both opt in to the current CBA? I just have zero faith in this league avoiding any sort of work stoppage, despite the slight optimism that seems to be out there.

I hear he has tremendous grit to his game.
- bixll

I knew that was coming.

I expect these signing bonuses to be an impasse in future CBA negotiations. I was reading about how much they mess up the escrow for the 50/50 revenue sharing. Any chance they both opt in to the current CBA? I just have zero faith in this league avoiding any sort of work stoppage, despite the slight optimism that seems to be out there.
- RickJames77

My suggestion to the NHLPA:

Just sign whatever the owners put in front of you.

I guaran-franking-tee the owners will figure out a way to screw themselves anyways. They always do.

I expect these signing bonuses to be an impasse in future CBA negotiations. I was reading about how much they mess up the escrow for the 50/50 revenue sharing. Any chance they both opt in to the current CBA? I just have zero faith in this league avoiding any sort of work stoppage, despite the slight optimism that seems to be out there.
- RickJames77

The issue is rich teams will claim it makes up for tax situations. If they nix one, they'll have to do something about taxes.

I knew that was coming.
- Atomic Wedgie

So many puns... Little polish, he will be fine.

His AGENT said he wants to play in Montreal. His agent also represents 6 guys currently on Montreal's roster.

I dunno. There's a chance.

Aho is talking to the media in about 10 minutes, so we'll see what he has to say.
- BINGO!

Good job ruining the finland dynasty we're trying to build in Montreal btw.

- Fruitcakenipple

- Scabeh

I expect these signing bonuses to be an impasse in future CBA negotiations. I was reading about how much they mess up the escrow for the 50/50 revenue sharing. Any chance they both opt in to the current CBA? I just have zero faith in this league avoiding any sort of work stoppage, despite the slight optimism that seems to be out there.
- RickJames77

It'll be an issue somehow in some way. Owners are going to be mad they have to pay 21 year olds who may have had one good year as if they won a stanley cup. It's all potential now.
As well as the young guys wanting to be walked to to UFA with 5 or 6 year deals but huge dollars. They get what they want.

To your point, it's anti-work stoppage for rich teams. The lock out would stop salaries from being paid out but not signing bonuses during the summer so all players want the bonus.

O'Neill talked about the stoppage and he said it cost him 4 million and if he could do it over again he would try to vote to play.