CBJ schedule is very difficult the rest of the way, I’m not worried about them. That leaves Carolina. Or Pittsburgh as the catchable teams imo. Ironically they play each other 4 times still, hopefully one of them takes all 4 games.

Bottom line is we are still in a very good spot, just need to win games lol

After the signing bonus, he will be owed 4.5 million, but his career earnings will be starting to near 100 million. I'm not going to try to sell you that 4.5 million is some irrelevant amount, but I'm not sure that it's some make or break amount either.
- 2sticks1puck

I mean he's going to be rich whether he gets that money or not, but $4.5M is $4.5M no matter what. Maybe that's a drop in the bucket to Bezos, but if you're asking me to give up about 5% of my career earnings I'd probably say no (frank)ing way, if I had the choice.

If I were him I'd be telling the Rangers that if they didn't want me as a part of the organization anymore then they could buy me out in June, otherwise I'd see them at training camp.

Typically, they are not 38 years old, either.
Hank has historically been a goalie that thrives on a heavy workload. This is uncharted territory for him in his career.
Not saying no fault should be laid at his door, just that the scenario was far from perfect and the result far from unpredictable.
- Tonybere

I guess I could be too harsh, but ultimately, that's his job. He's a professional goaltender. Being rusty doesn't fly in my books, regardless of how rusty you might be. It's up to the athlete to be ready to go from the first second to the last. It's different from your average Joe playing shinny on the pond.

That's why I've been labeling it as an excuse, but again, maybe it's just my black heart

After the signing bonus, he will be owed 4.5 million, but his career earnings will be starting to near 100 million. I'm not going to try to sell you that 4.5 million is some irrelevant amount, but I'm not sure that it's some make or break amount either.
- 2sticks1puck

No to mention his endorsement money...

I mean he's going to be rich whether he gets that money or not, but $4.5M is $4.5M no matter what. Maybe that's a drop in the bucket to Bezos, but if you're asking me to give up about 5% of my career earnings I'd probably say no (frank)ing way, if I had the choice.

If I were him I'd be telling the Rangers that if they didn't want me as a part of the organization anymore then they could buy me out in June, otherwise I'd see them at training camp.
- eichiefs9

It depends though, we know he's in a good spot and will probably forever get endorsements here and could get work as a consultant or whatever for goalies for life. Some people would think exactly like you, and some people would be like screw it, I really don't need the money. We really don't know how it's going to play out. This isn't like a Eli situation where the money is so great that it becomes a no brainier.

It depends though, we know he's in a good spot and will probably forever get endorsements here and could get work as a consultant or whatever for goalies for life. Some people would think exactly like you, and some people would be like screw it, I really don't need the money. We really don't know how it's going to play out. This isn't like a Eli situation where the money is so great that it becomes a no brainier.
- 2sticks1puck

I don't know. Take the last 16 years of your career and hack 5% off of everything you made and I suspect that it's not a number you'd pass up if your employer was asking you to.

Hank had a major role in bringing in a lot of dollars to the Rangers organization over his career. He can choose to walk away, but if he doesn't I don't think the Rangers can really say boo about it.

One way or another he'll get his money, whether that's through a buyout or playing out the term of his deal.

It depends though, we know he's in a good spot and will probably forever get endorsements here and could get work as a consultant or whatever for goalies for life. Some people would think exactly like you, and some people would be like screw it, I really don't need the money. We really don't know how it's going to play out. This isn't like a Eli situation where the money is so great that it becomes a no brainier.
- 2sticks1puck

The differences in Swedish/American culture also come into play.

I think he forces their hand, though. It just seems too easy of a payday to not make it happen and his agent knows that.

The differences in Swedish/American culture also come into play.

I think he forces their hand, though. It just seems too easy of a payday to not make it happen and his agent knows that.
- Bean_Dip

True, but there is no doubt the Rangers are flush with cash. They could offer him a 1M a year job for the next 8 years, who knows? I completely get Chiefs' view that he has to do what is right for himself...but that doesn't take into account what the Rangers could possibly offer him off into the proverbial sunset.

I don't know. Take the last 16 years of your career and hack 5% off of everything you made and I suspect that it's not a number you'd pass up if your employer was asking you to.

Hank had a major role in bringing in a lot of dollars to the Rangers organization over his career. He can choose to walk away, but if he doesn't I don't think the Rangers can really say boo about it.

One way or another he'll get his money, whether that's through a buyout or playing out the term of his deal.
- eichiefs9

I agree that no matter what the team can't say boo. I think though you other point would depend on how toxic the situation really is. I think in your example a great majority would think like you, but I think there is a non zero number if they would walk away comfortably in retirement would go if it was just too toxic.

I think the best situation honestly, is for the team to have some sort of under the table deal where he works with the front office in some capacity. I think it's a not so secret thing that he will be the 3rd string for the remainder of his contract.

I agree that no matter what the team can't say boo. I think though you other point would depend on how toxic the situation really is. I think in your example a great majority would think like you, but I think there is a non zero number if they would walk away comfortably in retirement would go if it was just too toxic.

I think the best situation honestly, is for the team to have some sort of under the table deal where he works with the front office in some capacity. I think it's a not so secret thing that he will be the 3rd string for the remainder of his contract.
- 2sticks1puck

No doubt he's not really a viable option to play, at least not for the Rangers given their other two options.

Guy is a pretty fierce competitor though and I don't know how much interest he has in hanging them up just yet and/or if he has any desire to take one of those front office roles. Maybe he does want to do both of those things, I'm not implying he doesn't....I just wouldn't be surprised if he believed that he had more NHL hockey left in him.

In the same sense as just moving to an office job...he can just sit back and collect his money next year without having to worry about performing, unless someone goes down. They can't send him to the AHL, so this isn't a scenario where they can force his hand by demoting him to Hartford where he'd have to sit on a bus half the season and be miserable. He's pretty much driving the bus here...no pun intended.

No doubt he's not really a viable option to play, at least not for the Rangers given their other two options.

Guy is a pretty fierce competitor though and I don't know how much interest he has in hanging them up just yet and/or if he has any desire to take one of those front office roles. Maybe he does want to do both of those things, I'm not implying he doesn't....I just wouldn't be surprised if he believed that he had more NHL hockey left in him.

In the same sense as just moving to an office job...he can just sit back and collect his money without having to worry about performing. They can't send him to the AHL, so this isn't a scenario where they can force his hand by demoting him to Hartford where he'd have to sit on a bus half the season and be miserable.
- eichiefs9

Believing and being capable of are miles apart.

What NHL would have him as their starter?


I believe I still have a chance with Salma

The two games vs caps and devils this week are seconds of b2bs for both of them. And we’ll be the rested home team. Must wins imo.

Caps could be letting down too because they have Philly on Wednesday. Devils get St. Louis on fri

Just looking for positives folks

Believing and being capable of are miles apart.

What NHL would have him as their starter?


I believe I still have a chance with Salma
- mdw7413

I never said he had to be a starter. But I could absolutely see someone taking a flyer on him at the league minimum on a one year deal as a backup.

The differences in Swedish/American culture also come into play.

I think he forces their hand, though. It just seems too easy of a payday to not make it happen and his agent knows that.
- Bean_Dip

Maybe the hand of a retired Glen Sather picks up the phone and asks Markus Naslund to give Lundqvist a call about how great retirement is after a long career.

I never said he had to be a starter. But I could absolutely see someone taking a flyer on him at the league minimum on a one year deal as a backup.
- eichiefs9

Thats the thing though, I don't think Hank wants to be a backup. Like I said yesterday, imagine you are pretty much the best at your position for over a decade and then all of a sudden you are a backup. Me personally I would retire. Why hold on to something you can't do anymore. I could understand it more if he was an average goalie his whole career.

they do have to expose someone to the expansion draft though, it's a requirement

yet another wrinkle
- jimbro83

You had the answer, they expose Berube. I think thats why they traded for him. Sign him to a 2 year deal and leave him exposed.

Thats the thing though, I don't think Hank wants to be a backup. Like I said yesterday, imagine you are pretty much the best at your position for over a decade and then all of a sudden you are a backup. Me personally I would retire. Why hold on to something you can't do anymore. I could understand it more if he was an average goalie his whole career.
- mdw7413

I would have retired after my first big contract ran out, cause I am pretty lazy

Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
·
37s
After 3 years of discussions, it appears the NHL will amend the offside rule. Skate in the air...or breaking the plane is expected to be part of the change.

Thats the thing though, I don't think Hank wants to be a backup. Like I said yesterday, imagine you are pretty much the best at your position for over a decade and then all of a sudden you are a backup. Me personally I would retire. Why hold on to something you can't do anymore. I could understand it more if he was an average goalie his whole career.
- mdw7413

I'm not gonna pretend to know what he wants, but I'm sure that if he wants to stay in the NHL then he's going to understand that there are some major concessions he'll have to make. #1 is that he can't play for the franchise he loves anymore and #'s 2 and 3 are that he has to take minimal money and probably accept a backup role. If he can't accept all three of those, then I assume he retires. But maybe he wants to go try and get his Cup in more of a supporting role. I could see him being a dirt-cheap fit as a backup on at least a couple pretty good teams.

Why would you pay a backup $3M/year when the going rate is under a million whenever possible and as little over a million when it's not?
And then, you are going to pay your starting goalie 1/3 of what his back up is making?????
Good luck with morale on Team Brukie!
- Tonybere

Well Tony Team Brukie is in the same league as paying your 3rd string goalie 8.5 million and the new starter and back up 975k apiece. So as it stands now Shesty and AG are making LESS THAN 1/8th of what Hank is making. Just think how they feel. So much for team morale.

I would have retired after my first big contract ran out, cause I am pretty lazy
- TPC

Forcing a Buyout would not sit well with management or the fans and would poison the well of goodwill.

I think he gets his 1M bonus then retires and takes that ambassador job but with the 4.5M spread out over some years of service.
- climbdenali12

They cant Cap circumvention.

After the signing bonus, he will be owed 4.5 million, but his career earnings will be starting to near 100 million. I'm not going to try to sell you that 4.5 million is some irrelevant amount, but I'm not sure that it's some make or break amount either.
- 2sticks1puck

How do people accumulate wealth? They dont throw their money away.

I would have retired after my first big contract ran out, cause I am pretty lazy
- TPC

Well, that's the thing. None of us were ever one of the best in the world at what we do for a living (except for you, Fenrir! Props, buddy!)
So, we have no idea what his mindset would be. These guys are all hyper-competitive athletes, and Hank has been renowned for having that attitude even among them.

True, but there is no doubt the Rangers are flush with cash. They could offer him a 1M a year job for the next 8 years, who knows? I completely get Chiefs' view that he has to do what is right for himself...but that doesn't take into account what the Rangers could possibly offer him off into the proverbial sunset.
- climbdenali12

The Rangers cant do that, its cap circumvention.