https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/2019-20-nhl-players-playoff-stats.html

Strangely convenient Kucherov was fine in the playoffs. Then a season long rehab. Wonder if an independent medical was ever done?
- Nighthawk

That's why Dougie brought it up. Every player, gm, owner is probably thinking about it.
It's cap circumvention at its finest.

That's why Dougie brought it up. Every player, gm, owner is probably thinking about it.
It's cap circumvention at its finest.
- Retinalz

I wonder how their offseason is gonna look this year. Like you mentioned, if any one of Tampa's big players mysteriously goes on LTIR over the off-season into the season, there's going to be a lot of people talking loudly and hopefully the league will step in.

Just looking through their CapFriendly, they're so (frank)ed 5 mil over the cap already for next year, no 1st 2nd 4th this year, no 2nd 3rd next year, and 5 RFAs to resign.

I wonder how their offseason is gonna look this year. Like you mentioned, if any one of Tampa's big players mysteriously goes on LTIR over the off-season into the season, there's going to be a lot of people talking loudly and hopefully the league will step in.

Just looking through their CapFriendly, they're so (frank)ed 5 mil over the cap already for next year, no 1st 2nd 4th this year, no 2nd 3rd next year, and 5 RFAs to resign.
- NewYorkNuck

They will probably get Seattle to take Johnson off their hands for something. Then they will need to do some dancing for the rest.

I wonder how their offseason is gonna look this year. Like you mentioned, if any one of Tampa's big players mysteriously goes on LTIR over the off-season into the season, there's going to be a lot of people talking loudly and hopefully the league will step in.

Just looking through their CapFriendly, they're so (frank)ed 5 mil over the cap already for next year, no 1st 2nd 4th this year, no 2nd 3rd next year, and 5 RFAs to resign.
- NewYorkNuck

That made me spit out my coffee.

The league is just so Mickey Mouse.

They will probably get Seattle to take Johnson off their hands for something. Then they will need to do some dancing for the rest.
- Retinalz

Ya, they have a few options there with Seattle. Wonder if they expose McDonagh and trade picks/prospects to trade them Johnson with him. Though that's a lot of money for Seattle to take on, though.

They just have so many big contracts, but have some ready-to-step-in prospects. Wonder if they'd consider trading someone like Point of Cirelli as they'd get cap relief and a damn good return as well.

They will probably get Seattle to take Johnson off their hands for something. Then they will need to do some dancing for the rest.
- Retinalz

Hopefully Seattle rakes them over the coals and takes Sergachev and a prospect, for helping them out.

That made me spit out my coffee.

The league is just so Mickey Mouse.
- Reubenkincade

It is, but to be honest they don't like teams flouting the rules – it's bad for business and the brand. They were able to dance around it once, if Tampa did it again it'd get a lot more attention in the general sports world and be bad for the NHL.

Ya, they have a few options there with Seattle. Wonder if they expose McDonagh and trade picks/prospects to trade them Johnson with him. Though that's a lot of money for Seattle to take on, though.

They just have so many big contracts, but have some ready-to-step-in prospects. Wonder if they'd consider trading someone like Point of Cirelli as they'd get cap relief and a damn good return as well.
- NewYorkNuck

I am not sure the returns are going to get as much as people think. I believe some of the teams with capspace are going to do well picking up some decent players for a reasonable, both in salary and the cost to acquire.

I am not sure the returns are going to get as much as people think. I believe some of the teams with capspace are going to do well picking up some decent players for a reasonable, both in salary and the cost to acquire.
- Reubenkincade

Maybe for some players on different teams that will get squeezed, but if Tampa sent out a league wide memo saying "We're listening to offers on Braden Point or Anthony Cirelli", you don't think it'd start some level of bidding war?

Maybe for some players on different teams that will get squeezed, but if Tampa sent out a league wide memo saying "We're listening to offers on Braden Point or Anthony Cirelli", you don't think it'd start some level of bidding war?
- NewYorkNuck

It might create a bidding war for teams that have some capspace, but that isn't very many teams unless teams just say f.uck the rules, we don't care, if Tampa can do it we will to.

I wonder how their offseason is gonna look this year. Like you mentioned, if any one of Tampa's big players mysteriously goes on LTIR over the off-season into the season, there's going to be a lot of people talking loudly and hopefully the league will step in.

Just looking through their CapFriendly, they're so (frank)ed 5 mil over the cap already for next year, no 1st 2nd 4th this year, no 2nd 3rd next year, and 5 RFAs to resign.
- NewYorkNuck

If they win back-to-back Stanley Cups will it matter?

I don’t think they are anywhere near (frank)ed. Folks have been saying that for a few seasons now and yet they keep on truckin’.

Whoever is their capologist, they are earning their paycheque.

If they win back-to-back Stanley Cups will it matter?

I don’t think they are anywhere near (frank)ed. Folks have been saying that for a few seasons now and yet they keep on truckin’.

Whoever is their capologist, they are earning their paycheque.
- bloatedhefty

Until they change the rules every team should be doing that

It might create a bidding war for teams that have some capspace, but that isn't very many teams unless teams just say f.uck the rules, we don't care, if Tampa can do it we will to.
- Reubenkincade

I think most teams could or would make room for either of those guys.

Just at a quick glance at their next year cap space, not knowing the signings these teams need... Arizona, NJ, LA, Ottawa, Detroit, Carolina, NYR, Columbus, Calgary, Philly, Nashville, Minny, Boston... hell, even the Canucks could take on Cirelli's cap hit.

If they win back-to-back Stanley Cups will it matter?

I don’t think they are anywhere near (frank)ed. Folks have been saying that for a few seasons now and yet they keep on truckin’.

Whoever is their capologist, they are earning their paycheque.
- bloatedhefty

(frank) no, I wouldn't care if the Canucks were in that position. I hope they don't, though.

(frank)ed as in they have a lot of work to do. I'm sure they'll get it done and come out and still be a contending team. They have guys on their ELC that can step into their lineup.

I think most teams could or would make room for either of those guys.

Just at a quick glance at their next year cap space, not knowing the signings these teams need... Arizona, NJ, LA, Ottawa, Detroit, Carolina, NYR, Columbus, Calgary, Philly, Nashville, Minny, Boston... hell, even the Canucks could take on Cirelli's cap hit.
- NewYorkNuck

I am sure most teams would do what they could to get a nice player, whether it be those 2 mentioned or from another team in a similar situation.
It just means that the acquiring team then needs to move some bodies to create capspace.
The "snowball effect"
It is going to be a very interesting off-season, league-wide.

Until they change the rules every team should be doing that
- VANTEL

I am sure Chicago would have Toews and maybe Seabrook back, if they were in that position.

I think the biggest problem is how blatant Tampa was about circumventing the cap.

I am sure Chicago would have Toews and maybe Seabrook back, if they were in that position.

I think the biggest problem is how blatant Tampa was about circumventing the cap.
- Reubenkincade

I REALLY want Tampa to lose

I am sure Chicago would have Toews and maybe Seabrook back, if they were in that position.

I think the biggest problem is how blatant Tampa was about circumventing the cap.
- Reubenkincade

Well I for one will be pissed if Benning is not using it to put Roussel and his 80% knee and Beagle and his bad neck on LTIR

Tampa are cheaters and if they win the cup this year, it’s a terrible look for the league.

the minnows

I REALLY want Tampa to lose
- Retinalz

After the interview, at the start of the season, when Cooper said they hope to see Kucherov back by the playoffs, then puts a smirk on his face, the Lightning became my 2nd least favourite team, after the Leafs, of course.😁

Well I for one will be pissed if Benning is not using it to put Roussel and his 80% knee and Beagle and his bad neck on LTIR
- VANTEL

Hopefully Loui is sent there as well.

Less than a million US viewers of the Habs /VGK game last night

Hopefully Loui is sent there as well.
- Reubenkincade

I have a feeling he is being bought out even though it cost more. We will see .

(frank) no, I wouldn't care if the Canucks were in that position. I hope they don't, though.

(frank)ed as in they have a lot of work to do. I'm sure they'll get it done and come out and still be a contending team. They have guys on their ELC that can step into their lineup.
- NewYorkNuck

They have guys that can step in but Tampa have a grand total of NOBODY on a 3 year ELC in their lineup.

NYI have Dobson and Wahlstrom (he's not a regular)

Vegas only have Hague but he's a 7th

Habs have Suzuki, KOtkeniemi, Caufield, Romanov (not a regular)

*I know this isn't what you're saying but the idea that teams only have "competitive windows" based on players being on ELCs is clearly horsesh!t