To the guys who know how it works. Can we buyout retained salaries and then have those spots to retain again?

14 goalies selected in the first round since 2000. Two thirds of them are garbage, and only a couple are elite.

Goalies are rarely worth a first round pick, and even when they are, they end up getting bigger contracts quickly. Having a goalie as your highest paid player is a recipe for disaster.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hasn't worked anywhere recently and definitely not Bowman Sr. SOP.

So Toews finally becomes the 3C behind Matthews and Tavares......

I'd do that deal in a heartbeat. Hate to see Toews and Kane leave but Marner and those 1st round picks.

3/4 this board would implode with 2 Nylanders lol.
- bhawks2241

I would highly consider that deal but would need to see how the cap works out as it may not work out mathematically.

Yet, Marner and the three 1st rounders are what has me sold.

As for the Nylander brothers, one option could be to flip them both for more picks and/or prospects.

Or hire their dad as an assistant coach to light a fire under at least Alex. Not as worried about Willie.

I'm interested to see how the "marks" integrate into the lineup. I'm bullish on Janmark. I really haven't seen much on Wallmark.
- Chunk

Although far from elite players, I think both Janmark and Wallmark will be unsung heroes in the bottom 6 and PK. Wallmark could be a PP option, too.

They may make it tough to flip them at the TDL. That's a good problem to have, I guess.

I would highly consider that deal but would need to see how the cap works out as it may not work out mathematically.

Yet, Marner and the three 1st rounders are what has me sold.

As for the Nylander brothers, one option could be to flip them both for more picks and/or prospects.


Or hire their dad as an assistant coach to light a fire under at least Alex. Not as worried about Willie.
- Theo Fox

One would think Alex would get tired of his big brother kicking his ass in practice everyday.

The Canucks signed Virtanen to a 2 year deal with an AAV of $2.55.

I wonder if this will impact Strome's contract? Virtanen has played more NHL games (279 vs 164) but has fewer points (95 vs 105).

I'm still expecting Strome's deal to come in around 2-3 years with an AAV between $2.75 - $3.0 million.

The Canucks signed Virtanen to a 2 year deal with an AAV of $2.55.

I wonder if this will impact Strome's contract? Virtanen has played more NHL games (279 vs 164) but has fewer points (95 vs 105).

I'm still expecting Strome's deal to come in around 2-3 years with an AAV between $2.75 - $3.0 million.
- DarthKane

i wonder if they are waiting for the start of the season to see goes on LTRI then announce strome's signing the next day.

i wonder if they are waiting for the start of the season to see goes on LTRI then announce strome's signing the next day.
- Scott1977

Maybe. But unless they’re signing Strome to a super stupid deal (which is possible with Stan) they don’t need to wait, there’s plenty of cap space.

i wonder if they are waiting for the start of the season to see goes on LTRI then announce strome's signing the next day.
- Scott1977

Pretty sure they won't have to LTIR anyone to fit him under the Cap.

Jesus, Theo is going to have to compose himself after reading this.
- Chunk

Compose...me too. Started reading this page and I thought we had made the trade. I would do the trade in a heartbeat. Even if Wilde turns out ceiling as third pair. Strome has no future here if I am in Bowman's shoes. His style is not conducive for what the team should expect from a #3 L center.

I would highly consider that deal but would need to see how the cap works out as it may not work out mathematically.

Yet, Marner and the three 1st rounders are what has me sold.

As for the Nylander brothers, one option could be to flip them both for more picks and/or prospects.

Or hire their dad as an assistant coach to light a fire under at least Alex. Not as worried about Willie.
- Theo Fox

Quickly looking at the contracts, you take on a few extra yrs of term but for younger players who essentially replace the production. You save 3mil for the 3 seasons you would've had kane and toews. Retaining 50% salary for toews and not kane would make more sense as the 1st rd picks would make up for the loss of a little extra salary. I know a deal like this would never happen but it would work. I think flipping w nylander for picks would be a mistake as you'd have a young productive player replacing the production you traded. I'd do this trade in a heartbeat but I think the leafs would laugh or at least fight you on giving up three 1sts.

Hello Darth Kane,
I thought of you immediately when I saw that Montreal signed Toffoli, slow skating and reknown goal scorer to a (how long?) four year deal. This means your favorite Caulfield would most likely need to slot in to a different line.

Of course the make up of the centerice position could undergo "construction" if Drouin is moved. It is worthwhile to add, that newly minted Gallagher is out injured often. Still I have to wonder what Bergevin and the Canadiens bench boss do with the placement of Caufield. I know that Bergevin feels Caufueld should develop one more year as a collegiate.

Beside your fondness for the red font you have a good analysis on subjects......so what furthermore to this post is your thoughts

LATE ADD: I did not yet read SCORE app story where Julien said the development of their own players made Domi available

Pretty sure they won't have to LTIR anyone to fit him under the Cap.
- HawkintheD

You would want to sign Strome before the year. You want to get as close to the cap at day 1, so you can efficiently use your LTIR space. My guess both Shaw and Smith will go on LTIR on day 2, that is $7.1 mil. in cap space for LTIR purposes to gather draft choices for an expiring contract.

Compose...me too. Started reading this page and I thought we had made the trade. I would do the trade in a heartbeat. Even if Wilde turns out ceiling as third pair. Strome has no future here if I am in Bowman's shoes. His style is not conducive for what the team should expect from a #3 L center.
- jhawk59

I wouldn't pigeon-hole what the 3rd line should be. It doesn't have to be a shutdown line per se. It could be a sort of 2B offensive line. I'm not advocating for Strome (as I don't really like his game), but I don't think you can be that narrow in view of what a 3C is supposed to provide.

Pretty sure they won't have to LTIR anyone to fit him under the Cap.
- HawkintheD

Just a thought not saying that that's the reason they haven't signed strome there is plenty of time to do that. Or they have some other things bowman is exploring before he signs strome. He has no leverage in contract talks.

Saw this on an Islander blog. Stan, hope Rocky gave you the quarter to make the call to Lou:

ISLANDERS GET
DYLAN STROME

BLACKHAWKS GET
2021 2ND ROUND PICK
BODE WILDE
- LAHawk

You had me at 2021 2nd round pick!

Why would the Islanders (i.e. Trotz) want Dylan Strome? How does he fit into their scheme and structure? He seems the antithesis of what they are about from a tactical standpoint.

Put this in the "it would never happen" pile but I saw this trade proposal in the Capfriendly armchair GM section where people can propose lineups, trades, signings, etc.

TOR: Toews, Kane (with 50% salary retention, IIRC)
CHI: Marner, Nylander, Kerfoot, 2021 1st, 2022 1st, 2023 1st
- Theo Fox

Cool thought. I'd do it in a minute, but the Leaves would not, imo. Anyway, the cap might be a problem. The Hawks, after losing 10.5 of salary for the twins, would have about 15.5 available. The trio from the Leaves are at about 21. Of course, if Seabs and Shaw are done.....

Why would the Islanders (i.e. Trotz) want Dylan Strome? How does he fit into their scheme and structure? He seems the antithesis of what they are about from a tactical standpoint.
- jrsamu

They need more pop in their offense. Strome would definitely play top 6 (offensive) minutes

As to be expected, the Winter Classic (Blues vs Wild) and All Star Game (hosted by the Panthers) are reportedly cancelled.

I wouldn't pigeon-hole what the 3rd line should be. It doesn't have to be a shutdown line per se. It could be a sort of 2B offensive line. I'm not advocating for Strome (as I don't really like his game), but I don't think you can be that narrow in view of what a 3C is supposed to provide.
- Chunk

I agree but you need scoring wingers who can benefit from Strome's one good skillset which is playmaking.

As to be expected, the Winter Classic (Blues vs Wild) and All Star Game (hosted by the Panthers) are reportedly cancelled.
- Theo Fox

Noooooooooo! I love that game.

I agree but you need scoring wingers who can benefit from Strome's one good skillset which is playmaking.
- bhawks2241

We have Siku... oh wait.

As to be expected, the Winter Classic (Blues vs Wild) and All Star Game (hosted by the Panthers) are reportedly cancelled.
- Theo Fox

Damn ... heartbreaking news.

I agree but you need scoring wingers who can benefit from Strome's one good skillset which is playmaking.
- bhawks2241

If Strome is the playmaker, get him a shooter like DeBrincat or Kubalik plus a space creator. Shaw would fit that bill if he can stay healthy. Caggiula but doesn't seem like he'll be retained. Perhaps Janmark.