And McPhee has already run away Just like when he left Washington in no-man's land. At least he didn't trade Glass. They went from a top-5 prospect pool to table scraps in one (frank)ing year.
- AdamFrench

It's honestly really impressive.

How dare you!

Good day to you, sir.
- Atomic Wedgie

MMM, triskets and 6 year old cheddar with a slice of fresh jalapeno, not that pickled crap, melted in the oven. MMM

The problem is that Ceci is 100% better than Marincin and Holl, so he'll be shoved into the top-4. It's a sad reality, but there it is.
- AdamFrench

there's also the fact that he(Ceci) will be playing with either Rielly or Muzzin as mentioned, or potentially with Dermott further down the line... any option would be a vast improvement over what he played with in Ottawa.

plus fresh start.. and a 1 year deal - he(Ceci) knows its on him now.

I'm still hoping Ottawa signs Gardiner... then they would have 1/2 of the Leafs d core from last year... and oh boy... I can just imagine how thrilled Zaitsev would be at the thought of playing with Gardiner again.

I don't know about that, muzzin laying out Krug was absolutely my favourite playoff moment last year. He might be the only thing close to a guy built to play Boston on the entire team.
- joel878

That's fine, but we are talking about Barrie.

MMMM, soda crakers and butter with 6 year old cheddar, MMMM
- bobbyisno1

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>

there's also the fact that he(Ceci) will be playing with either Rielly or Muzzin as mentioned, or potentially with Dermott further down the line... any option would be a vast improvement over what he played with in Ottawa.

plus fresh start.. and a 1 year deal - he(Ceci) knows its on him now.

I'm still hoping Ottawa signs Gardiner... then they would have 1/2 of the Leafs d core from last year... and oh boy... I can just imagine how thrilled Zaitsev would be at the thought of playing with Gardiner again.


- BorjeFan4Ever

2 seasons ago he played mostly with Karlsson......and he was still just about the worst dman in the league.

playing with Rielly isn't going to make Ceci better, it's going to make Rielly worse.

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>
- Atomic Wedgie

probably costs like 38$ too

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>
- Atomic Wedgie

Man, I wish I could get away with selling crap like that.

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>
- Atomic Wedgie

And that cheese does not look real.

if the cap doesn't go up, and you replace ELCs with 8-10 mil deals....something would need to dramatically change.

assume for a second that all ELCs in the league are gone right now (for players on NHL rosters). replace all of them with a moderate salary of say 4 mil per player (a few might be less, most would likely be more, in the scenario that was suggested) just about every team in the league would instantly be over the cap......and that's only with 4 mil contracts

you have to assume that almost everyone who's a "1st rd talent" would want considerably more than that. top 5 guys are probably asking for like 10 mil out of the gate.

it's not realistic to due away with ELCs and not raise the cap.
- sensarmy_11

You seem to be having a problem grasping a simple concept:

GMs would be restricted by the salary cap. Each GM would have to make decisions on what to offer a player, and how it would fit with their other 22 contracts.

So yeah, you may end up paying Matthews a lot more money, but that would act as a salary drag on all your other contracts.

And so yes, things would change drastically (and dramatically).

You'd probably get much shorter contract lengths, and player movement would be off the hizzay.

I don't know about that, muzzin laying out Krug was absolutely my favourite playoff moment last year. He might be the only thing close to a guy built to play Boston on the entire team.
- joel878

My favourite hit.

Although, there was a few Muzzin hits on Pasternak that were really good. Because he pissed Muzzin off after jumping and hitting him in the face, cutting him open.

Just don't think he will ever be a puck mover because that is his worst quality He has zero vision and hockey sense.

Babcock used him in the only role he had a chance at succeeding in. Playing with Muzzin helped him a lot though.
- Santo_44

everyone slagging on Zaitsev, yes he had limitations, but he spent most of the time playing with the original "chicken with his head cut off" Gardiner... exactly what you don't want from your d-partner. Unpredictable. Suicide passes, won't go in the corner to get the puck, can even imagine how he would break a cycle, ... and did I mention lack of mobility during the 18-19 season.

voila... Zaitsev plays 20+ games with Muzzin and starts to look like a defender again.

Zaitsev will be better in Ottawa... because he won't be playing with Gardiner.
Ceci will be better in Toronto because he's playing with vastly better players, he's getting a fresh start and he's on a one year deal.

probably costs like 38$ too

- sensarmy_11

Pulled this off of TripAdvisor:


This photo of McSorley's Old Ale House is courtesy of TripAdvisor" target=_blank>
This photo of McSorley's Old Ale House is courtesy of TripAdvisor" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>

The place is fantastic.

Two beers: light and dark. Those are your choices.

My favourite hit.

Although, there was a few Muzzin hits on Pasternak that were really good. Because he pissed Muzzin off after jumping and hitting him in the face, cutting him open.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Forgot about that. What a beauty.

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>
- Atomic Wedgie

Buddy's corned beef and no-melted cheddar looks kind of crappy too.
It actually looks like a cheese slice.

You seem to be having a problem grasping a simple concept:

GMs would be restricted by the salary cap. Each GM would have to make decisions on what to offer a player, and how it would fit with their other 22 contracts.

So yeah, you may end up paying Matthews a lot more money, but that would act as a salary drag on all your other contracts.

And so yes, things would change drastically (and dramatically).

You'd probably get much shorter contract lengths, and player movement would be off the hizzay.
- Atomic Wedgie

I'm grasping the concept, I'm simply saying that it wouldn't work. players would want more, it would be impossible to give the players what they wanted while icing a full roster. it would lead to holdouts, labour disputes, etc, etc............the only way it would realistically work, without having a monstrous negative impact on the game, would be to raise the cap....which would then eliminate parity in the league.

the only other option is to pray that veterans take less money to make up for the increased money the young players would make..........I'm sure that would go over really well. I think that's the part you aren't grasping....if rookies are getting WAY more money, then that extra money has to come from somewhere.....and it's unlikely that vets or the PA would sign off on it............so, impossible without increasing the cap.

2 seasons ago he played mostly with Karlsson......and he was still just about the worst dman in the league.

playing with Rielly isn't going to make Ceci better, it's going to make Rielly worse.
- sensarmy_11

The theory is that it will make Rielly better because it will take pressure off of him.

For the past couple of years, teams have dumped the puck in on Rielly's side, and then put on a heavy forecheck, forcing him to play it over to his defensive partner (a lefty). That's where the problems would start.

So...in theory...giving Rielly a righty will give him more options, as teams will now have to respect the righty as well.

It's a theory. Probably a stretch. But we'll have to wait until October to see if it works.

Pulled this off of TripAdvisor:


This photo of McSorley's Old Ale House is courtesy of TripAdvisor" target=_blank>
This photo of McSorley's Old Ale House is courtesy of TripAdvisor" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>

The place is fantastic.

Two beers: light and dark. Those are your choices.
- Atomic Wedgie

wow, reasonable prices in NYC......didn't think it was possible.

I went to a TGIFs (or something like that) just off time square with some buddies about 6 years ago. we ordered a combo platter (wings, poppers, etc) and 4 beers.....(frank)ing cost like 80$ US

2 seasons ago he played mostly with Karlsson......and he was still just about the worst dman in the league.

playing with Rielly isn't going to make Ceci better, it's going to make Rielly worse.
- sensarmy_11

two problems with your statement(s)... #1 you are assuming that playing with Karlsson is appreciably different that playing with an air head like Gardiner. Karlsson a rover pure and simple... played his best defensive hockey with Methot.

#2 Ceci with Karlsson would have one of them on their wrong side... so whichever coach thought was a good idea needs to take a look in the mirror.

I don't think Ceci's some fantastic player... not at all. Just that it will be up to him, in a prove-it contract year to not play "dumb". Moving an apparently unhappy Zaitsev for him and getting out from under the 5 years remaining on the contract were great ... giving Ceci a shot for a single season could be a win-win.

I'm worried that 9 minute walking glacier who can't score 10 points over a season will demand 3mil a year.
- AdamFrench

With 3 mln you could buy 3 Gauthiers and still have enough change left over for a few cartons of Belmonts

The theory is that it will make Rielly better because it will take pressure off of him.

For the past couple of years, teams have dumped the puck in on Rielly's side, and then put on a heavy forecheck, forcing him to play it over to his defensive partner (a lefty). That's where the problems would start.

So...in theory...giving Rielly a righty will give him more options, as teams will now have to respect the righty as well.

It's a theory. Probably a stretch. But we'll have to wait until October to see if it works.
- Atomic Wedgie

hopefully both guys benefit from a fresh start..............but I have a feeling both fan bases will end up being disappointed.

Have you ever been to McSorley's Tavern in New York?

They have a "cheese plate."

Some sliced onions, some sliced American cheese, and a sleeve of soda crackers - they even leave it in the sleeve.

I respect a bar that serves food with less effort than what I make for myself when I'm hungover.

" target=_blank>" style="max-width:425px;" border=0>
- Atomic Wedgie

I dislike fake cheese greatly.

I don't overly expect much from pub food (not actual meals, I mean snack food) but I would 100% be insulted if I was served that.

I'm grasping the concept, I'm simply saying that it wouldn't work. players would want more, it would be impossible to give the players what they wanted while icing a full roster. it would lead to holdouts, labour disputes, etc, etc............the only way it would realistically work, without having a monstrous negative impact on the game, would be to raise the cap....which would then eliminate parity in the league.

the only other option is to pray that veterans take less money to make up for the increased money the young players would make..........I'm sure that would go over really well. I think that's the part you aren't grasping....if rookies are getting WAY more money, then that extra money has to come from somewhere.....and it's unlikely that vets or the PA would sign off on it............so, impossible without increasing the cap.
- sensarmy_11

You're giving the exact same arguments as when the cap was first introduced.

Players can demand more money all they want - if no GM is offering them a contract, they simply won't play.

At a certain point, agents would have to start phoning around and offering their guys' services at a certain price. And if they get no offers, that price would have to go down.

Yes, there would be huge mistake contracts handed out. But that would be part of the fun.

Pulled this off of TripAdvisor:



The place is fantastic.

Two beers: light and dark. Those are your choices.
- Atomic Wedgie

Reminds me of Hot Fuzz.

"What's your wine selection?"

"Well...we have red...or white"

wow, reasonable prices in NYC......didn't think it was possible.

I went to a TGIFs (or something like that) just off time square with some buddies about 6 years ago. we ordered a combo platter (wings, poppers, etc) and 4 beers.....(frank)ing cost like 80$ US
- sensarmy_11

Well, there's your first mistake...

Although I do miss the old ESPN Zone bar (even though it was wickedly overpriced).

But I do recommend McSorley's - New York's oldest Irish Bar. Put it on your list of to dos next time you are in NYC.