Hey Reuby, from Ed Willes of The Province.

The salary cap will rise from US$81.5 million to US$83.5 million over the next four years and the Stanley Cup thingy set for August will save them about US$500 million.

So the Canucks are able to sign Jack Rathbone as of 9am this morning (the hockey world believes it will get done and that he won't take the alternative route).

From a scout perspective, people are saying he is our best defensive prospect and his numbers with Fox were amazing, but that he actually flourished this year without him (avg 27 minutes per night and playing over 30 minutes in some).

I for one am really excited about this kid. Trying to temper expectations, but if he becomes a 2nd pairing Quinn Hughes-Lite, I would be ecstatic
- Codes1087

As with so many offensive guys, i wonder how he can defend at the top level. Got some serious potential though!

Hmmm...

The flattened cap didn’t do the Vancouver Canucks any favours but look at the bright side. They could be the Leafs.

Toronto has some $41 million tied up in four players for the next four seasons: Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Further study reveals none of those four are goalies or defencemen which, advanced analytics tells us, are kind of important in building a roster.

There are other teams in trouble — Tampa, Nashville — and the Canucks have too much salary tied up in depth players. But it’s hard to see how the Leafs will build a contending team as long as they have that much money tied up in their Big Four.from Ed Willes at The Province

So the Canucks are able to sign Jack Rathbone as of 9am this morning (the hockey world believes it will get done and that he won't take the alternative route).

From a scout perspective, people are saying he is our best defensive prospect and his numbers with Fox were amazing, but that he actually flourished this year without him (avg 27 minutes per night and playing over 30 minutes in some).

I for one am really excited about this kid. Trying to temper expectations, but if he becomes a 2nd pairing Quinn Hughes-Lite, I would be ecstatic
- Codes1087

Nighthawk is really high on him.

I haven't seen enough to have a strong opinion one way or another. I look at him as another player vying for bottom pairing minutes that could slide up if he performs well.

Nighthawk is really high on him.

I haven't seen enough to have a strong opinion one way or another. I look at him as another player vying for bottom pairing minutes that could slide up if he performs well.
- golfingsince

the analytical crowd are going crazy for him (mainly Cam Robinson from Dobber). I read an article on him not too long ago that suggest he is a legit top end prospect. If you look at what Fox did with NYR this year, and then sort of relate Rathbone's numbers in his last two years with and without Fox, it would suggest he is definitely on the right path for development.

As with so many offensive guys, i wonder how he can defend at the top level. Got some serious potential though!
- neem55

id like to see him earn his spot and play in the AHL, much like what Rafferty has done. The game has changed so much, where you can't just be a one dimensional defense man anymore. Considering he was a 4th round pick, its nice to see some great value there.

the analytical crowd are going crazy for him (mainly Cam Robinson from Dobber). I read an article on him not too long ago that suggest he is a legit top end prospect. If you look at what Fox did with NYR this year, and then sort of relate Rathbone's numbers in his last two years with and without Fox, it would suggest he is definitely on the right path for development.
- Codes1087

Here's to hoping. Outside of QH we haven't had a D prospect have much of an impact in a long time.

So the Canucks are able to sign Jack Rathbone as of 9am this morning (the hockey world believes it will get done and that he won't take the alternative route).

From a scout perspective, people are saying he is our best defensive prospect and his numbers with Fox were amazing, but that he actually flourished this year without him (avg 27 minutes per night and playing over 30 minutes in some).

I for one am really excited about this kid. Trying to temper expectations, but if he becomes a 2nd pairing Quinn Hughes-Lite, I would be ecstatic
- Codes1087

i'm excited about him too. i don't follow scouting reports etc so i wasn't able to say if it was a good or bad pick but i was very impressed with his interviews when he was drafted.

i'm not looking to pencil him into the lineup but just hoping that he can be an every day player in about 2 to 3 years.

Hmmm...

The flattened cap didn’t do the Vancouver Canucks any favours but look at the bright side. They could be the Leafs.

Toronto has some $41 million tied up in four players for the next four seasons: Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. Further study reveals none of those four are goalies or defencemen which, advanced analytics tells us, are kind of important in building a roster.

There are other teams in trouble — Tampa, Nashville — and the Canucks have too much salary tied up in depth players. But it’s hard to see how the Leafs will build a contending team as long as they have that much money tied up in their Big Four.from Ed Willes at The Province
- Marwood

does he mention if the leafs will be cap compliant?

i'm excited about him too. i don't follow scouting reports etc so i wasn't able to say if it was a good or bad pick but i was very impressed with his interviews when he was drafted.

i'm not looking to pencil him into the lineup but just hoping that he can be an every day player in about 2 to 3 years.
- RealityChecker

Is it a 3 day window, starting today for these signings?

does he mention if the leafs will be cap compliant?
- RealityChecker

They can't waive or demote players like the Canucks magically can, so I doubt it. Their problem is too much high end talent unlike the Canucks and their high end bottom 6.

They can't waive or demote players like the Canucks magically can, so I doubt it. Their problem is too much high end talent unlike the Canucks and their high end bottom 6.
- Marwood

That JT signing never made sense to me. Hell of a player but they could have rolled with Matthews, Nylander and Kadri up the middle. It just goes to show how 1 bad signing can impact the future prospects of any team.

The Leafs have enough skill to win it all, but they were in great shape before bringing in JT and have had to make decisions based on compliance ever since that signing.

Is it a 3 day window, starting today for these signings?
- Marwood

that's my understanding. someone who's more up to speed can fill in the blanks.

i'm wondering if he chooses not to sign, when does he become a UFA? where would he be allowed/eligible to play this coming season? if he chooses not to sign but signs elsewhere for this season (europe for example) will that affect his route to UFA?

can someone who's on top of the situation kindly lay out what his options are?

I won't be posting anymore so no need to lock it down
- VANTEL

It's not about not posting, I'll show you what I mean.

I think the Canucks heading into the play downs will beat Minnesota, they have a good mix of talent, and quite a few strong leaders to keep the group focused.

My concern right now is coaching, and how Markstrom responds after being off for so long.

That JT signing never made sense to me. Hell of a player but they could have rolled with Matthews, Nylander and Kadri up the middle. It just goes to show how 1 bad signing can impact the future prospects of any team.

The Leafs have enough skill to win it all, but they were in great shape before bringing in JT and have had to make decisions based on compliance ever since that signing.
- golfingsince

i don't necessarily agree. i thought the JT signing was a no-brainer. when all it costs you is cap space to bring in a top 5-10 (i'm not looking to get into an argument on where he slots in league wide), you do it.

however, this doesn't mean that i agree with how they've allocated their cap space. they definitely have not managed it well.

i would have signed JT but made other decisions (trades) before the cap got into a funky situation. you can make space to bring in players before the cap becomes an issue.

THE MESSIAH!!!!!! All hail the MESSIAH!!
- Marwood

that's my understanding. someone who's more up to speed can fill in the blanks.

i'm wondering if he chooses not to sign, when does he become a UFA? where would he be allowed/eligible to play this coming season? if he chooses not to sign but signs elsewhere for this season (europe for example) will that affect his route to UFA?

can someone who's on top of the situation kindly lay out what his options are?
- RealityChecker

My money is on Carol, neem or nighthawk.

This is what my racist yellow vest uncle call him. What kind of news/youtube/articles you been watching?
- neem55

Alright gents, I have a great deal of respect for Carol, she in my opinion is the best writer on this site. I personally do not want to lock down the blog because that will effect her lively hood, but damn this childish bickering is tiresome.

So your choice gents, you continue with your juvenile attacks on each other and I will send Carol a message letting her know why I am shutting things down.

And please don't comment "well he started it" or any other BS excuse to this post
- Makita

Thx for fixing the thread Makita!!

Alright gents, I have a great deal of respect for Carol, she in my opinion is the best writer on this site. I personally do not want to lock down the blog because that will effect her lively hood, but damn this childish bickering is tiresome.

So your choice gents, you continue with your juvenile attacks on each other and I will send Carol a message letting her know why I am shutting things down.

And please don't comment "well he started it" or any other BS excuse to this post
- Makita

thx

i don't necessarily agree. i thought the JT signing was a no-brainer. when all it costs you is cap space to bring in a top 5-10 (i'm not looking to get into an argument on where he slots in league wide), you do it.

however, this doesn't mean that i agree with how they've allocated their cap space. they definitely have not managed it well.

i would have signed JT but made other decisions (trades) before the cap got into a funky situation. you can make space to bring in players before the cap becomes an issue.
- RealityChecker

Had they spent $8-$10M on a stud D i'd feel differently. Spending that kind of cap allocation on a 1C when they already had one seemed unnecessary.

Had they spent $8-$10M on a stud D i'd feel differently. Spending that kind of cap allocation on a 1C when they already had one seemed unnecessary.
- golfingsince

sure, if there was a choice between a stud $8-10m d-man and JT, i'd totally agree with you.

JT was by far the biggest piece on the market and clearly wanted to play for them. i would have signed him without hesitation.

however, that team definitely has (had) enough quality pieces to trade for a solid $8-10m and haven't done so. the longer they have waited, the worse their cap situation has become and more desperate they seem. they'll have to overpay even more now.

so in my estimation, they could have had JT and a top end D-man.

They can't waive or demote players like the Canucks magically can, so I doubt it. Their problem is too much high end talent unlike the Canucks and their high end bottom 6.
- Marwood

It’s almost as if they could trade one of them though. Truly is magical how any of these gms do their jobs. But this is the first year any GM has had cap issues, so it will be interesting to see what happens!

It’s almost as if they could trade one of them though. Truly is magical how any of these gms do their jobs. But this is the first year any GM has had cap issues, so it will be interesting to see what happens!


- neem55

They'll have their issues, the interesting part is how they solve them.

So will kaprizov/romanov be out for the entire playoffs or just the 5 game series? Is it the same for tree?