Jeremy Laura: Detroit has cap space, they’re not the only ones. GMs need Jim Rutherford

I just don't see much of anything happening. The flat cap is merely an indicator of serious underlying financials that spell doom n gloom for the grand old game. You've spoken to this numerous times....and I think it's going to be even more pronounced as this season wears on. Face it, no income ain't good.

That being said, I feel that the current state may actually benefit Detroit because they can be very selective on what moves they make above drafting & internal development. Being a salary dump site may bring some pretty decent draft positions & developing players...So I look forward to how this plays out. Being honest, I'm kinda sad to see that we only have 19 games left, I like watching the boys play, the machinations of each game, the anger/frustration, and the utter joy of unexpected victories. I know we've still got to deal with the rebuild, but there've been some positives this year, some decent development of players, some disappointments for sure, but I genuinely LIKE watching the Wings.

Curious to see how the summer unfolds.....and what the financials look like after the Finals....I'd offer that the NHL is going to be in the hurt-locker for up to 5 years.....right about the time Hockeytown makes some serious noise.

Jeremy Laura: Detroit has cap space, they’re not the only ones. GMs need Jim Rutherford
- Jeremy Laura

I would not be surprised to see Philly throw in the towel after being trounced by Buffalo! You could see total humiliation on the Philly players faces. But hey! They are pros and they may come back, .....maybe. Seems like they had a deal in progress with the Wings, which may or may not happen now.
Florida is interesting. They seem to have rallied despite all the injuries and could be investing in a stretch run and a serious challenge for the cup. They have the right coach and Bob seems to be finally earning his pay...and dddaaaaammmmnnnnn! how about that Verhaeghe guy! Wow!
And Tampa needs a RD. No cap space though. Can they trade a player and pick to Detroit and then Detroit eats half the cap and trades him back for a 1st???? They have to do something creative. 3 losses in a row, I believe thy have some concern! Gonna be fun to see what shakes and who fakes and what it takes for the Cup's sake!

I think this is misleading due to your missing IR available space. Such as Chicago, who has around $22M and you currently have listed at 0. They have also gone on to say they are willing to take on salary for assets. Sooo... revision?

I think this is misleading due to your missing IR available space. Such as Chicago, who has around $22M and you currently have listed at 0. They have also gone on to say they are willing to take on salary for assets. Sooo... revision?
- Burnt_juice

No revision. Go over to Cap Friendly and take a look at how they’ve laid it all out. Chicago is right up against it. That doesn’t mean that they can’t attempt to waive/move to taxi squad, etc. it’s not meant to be misleading at all. I’m going off of what is listed. If Toews, for any reason, decides to come back they would have to dump players. It’s not dollar for dollar on IR. Remember, that’s why teams who want to get the highest possible claim make sure to have it all ready at the beginning of the year. Chicago is listed as using 3.2mm in IR, having a full 23 man roster and zero in projected cap space. If they want to take on term/money, they’ve got to send something out, down or over to Taxi

Wow, there is total despair going on at the Flyers blog!
You would think they were the 3rd worst team in the league!!

FLA signed Spencer Knight to a ELC, I wish he could spend those ELC years here and beyond!

Wow, there is total despair going on at the Flyers blog!
You would think they were the 3rd worst team in the league!!
- HenryHockey

I remember saying the Flyers made a big mistake firing Hexy before he finished his plan to rebuild the Flyers. Philly fans told me I was wrong and that Fletcher is great.
Minnesota Wild fans would disagree. I really liked what Hexy did in Philly. He cleaned up Holmgren's mess. I still can't figure out how he convinced LA to take Lecavalier's contract. Then ironically Holmgren fires Hexy? Now that's rich. Hexy got a raw deal.

Hexy drafted very well and wanted to keep Carter Hart in the AHL and develop properly. But ownership wanted to fast track things which included throwing Hart into the NHL before he was ready. Now the kid has no confidence at all. Hexy knows you have to build your team in stages. Fast tracking never works. Ask Buffalo.

Flyers fans are a funny bunch. They'll criticize their own team with each other and make very good arguments. But if someone like me who isn't a Flyers fan criticizes them, they circle the wagons and tell me how great they are. And that Ron Hextall just had to go because he was ruining the team and that Fletcher is the best GM in the NHL. Cheer for the laundry.

I just don't see much of anything happening. The flat cap is merely an indicator of serious underlying financials that spell doom n gloom for the grand old game. You've spoken to this numerous times....and I think it's going to be even more pronounced as this season wears on. Face it, no income ain't good.

That being said, I feel that the current state may actually benefit Detroit because they can be very selective on what moves they make above drafting & internal development. Being a salary dump site may bring some pretty decent draft positions & developing players...So I look forward to how this plays out. Being honest, I'm kinda sad to see that we only have 19 games left, I like watching the boys play, the machinations of each game, the anger/frustration, and the utter joy of unexpected victories. I know we've still got to deal with the rebuild, but there've been some positives this year, some decent development of players, some disappointments for sure, but I genuinely LIKE watching the Wings.

Curious to see how the summer unfolds.....and what the financials look like after the Finals....I'd offer that the NHL is going to be in the hurt-locker for up to 5 years.....right about the time Hockeytown makes some serious noise.
- mcmastermike1968

I agree with nothing much will take place this year. Unless your way on top of the standings with a healthy and confident team going into the playoffs how can any team take on new monies?
This summer most teams should find out if their State laws will allow increasing attendance. If the doors open then ticket sales increase maybe teams will spend? If the doors don’t open some of these older Veterans could be in trouble once again with higher pay scale requests, or will we see more entry level pay scale players taking the Ice. There could be lot’s of action this summer.

I agree with nothing much will take place this year. Unless your way on top of the standings with a healthy and confident team going into the playoffs how can any team take on new monies?
This summer most teams should find out if their State laws will allow increasing attendance. If the doors open then ticket sales increase maybe teams will spend? If the doors don’t open some of these older Veterans could be in trouble once again with higher pay scale requests, or will we see more entry level pay scale players taking the Ice. There could be lot’s of action this summer.
- Tee56

It's not like any team can get a player at the trade deadline who's better than Kucherov. In my Kenny Holland voice..."Getting Kucherov back from injury is like making a trade at the trade deadline."

It's not like any team can get a player at the trade deadline who's better than Kucherov. In my Kenny Holland voice..."Getting Kucherov back from injury is like making a trade at the trade deadline."
- gergeswillems

Agree with that statement about Kuch. Let’s look at T. Hall for a moment, don’t you think he’s risky to take on right now? I’m just not impressed with his production, no way anyone gives up a 1 round pick for him.

Agree with that statement about Kuch. Let’s look at T. Hall for a moment, don’t you think he’s risky to take on right now? I’m just not impressed with his production, no way anyone gives up a 1 round pick for him.
- Tee56

I'd stay far away from Taylor Hall. Easily the most overrated player in the NHL. But he's a former first overall pick and Hart trophy winner so a desperate team will trade for him. Might be 2 seconds. The AA deal.

I remember saying the Flyers made a big mistake firing Hexy before he finished his plan to rebuild the Flyers. Philly fans told me I was wrong and that Fletcher is great.
Minnesota Wild fans would disagree. I really liked what Hexy did in Philly. He cleaned up Holmgren's mess. I still can't figure out how he convinced LA to take Lecavalier's contract. Then ironically Holmgren fires Hexy? Now that's rich. Hexy got a raw deal.

Hexy drafted very well and wanted to keep Carter Hart in the AHL and develop properly. But ownership wanted to fast track things which included throwing Hart into the NHL before he was ready. Now the kid has no confidence at all. Hexy knows you have to build your team in stages. Fast tracking never works. Ask Buffalo.

Flyers fans are a funny bunch. They'll criticize their own team with each other and make very good arguments. But if someone like me who isn't a Flyers fan criticizes them, they circle the wagons and tell me how great they are. And that Ron Hextall just had to go because he was ruining the team and that Fletcher is the best GM in the NHL. Cheer for the laundry.
- gergeswillems

I have learned to be more careful when I post on other sites. There are fans out there that think that because you root for another team deems you an enemy. I am a fan of all hockey, but of course I prefer the Wings being that I am originally from Detroit. I found it fun to follow other blogs and ther reactions to what is happening during the season. There are some insights shared on these blogs and it is good to learn more about the game and the personalities that play and manage the sport I love!

I'd stay far away from Taylor Hall. Easily the most overrated player in the NHL. But he's a former first overall pick and Hart trophy winner so a desperate team will trade for him. Might be 2 seconds. The AA deal.
- gergeswillems

It will be Interesting what Buffalo gets for him? Hall could be a candidate for Pittsburgh? I’m very curious to see what Burke and Hex pull together at deadline.

It will be Interesting what Buffalo gets for him? Hall could be a candidate for Pittsburgh? I’m very curious to see what Burke and Hex pull together at deadline.
- Tee56

I have a sneaky suspicion Hall ends up in Toronto. Don't ask me how. Just a gut feeling. I'd say Bobby Ryan goes to Pitt. The Brian Burke connection. He drafted him.

I have a sneaky suspicion Hall ends up in Toronto. Don't ask me how. Just a gut feeling. I'd say Bobby Ryan goes to Pitt. The Brian Burke connection. He drafted him.
- gergeswillems

I keep getting this vibe as well, I think there may a bidding war going on for Palmieri between Boston and NYI. But then Lou does a an off the radar deal for some one else.

I keep getting this vibe as well, I think there may a bidding war going on for Palmieri between Boston and NYI. But then Lou does a an off the radar deal for some one else.
- HenryHockey

Yeah Palmieri to the Isles makes a ton of sense. I don't have any faith in the Bruins doing much. They seem to like playing it safe these days.

I keep getting this vibe as well, I think there may a bidding war going on for Palmieri between Boston and NYI. But then Lou does a an off the radar deal for some one else.
- HenryHockey

Then there is Fla.... Maybe they grab Palmieri and a D-man from NJ, espescially if they take back Connelly on the deal!

Then there is Fla.... Maybe they grab Palmieri and a D-man from NJ, espescially if they take back Connelly on the deal!
- HenryHockey

Maybe Stevie can trade Nemeth to Florida? No one can replace Ekblad but Nemeth would give them a steady vet defenseman who can play 15-20 minutes a night.

Yeah Palmieri to the Isles makes a ton of sense. I don't have any faith in the Bruins doing much. They seem to like playing it safe these days.
- gergeswillems

The Bruins HAVE to do something to bolster their 5x5 scoring! It is surprisingly bad this year! I think they like hiding in the weeds before they strike!

The Bruins HAVE to do something to bolster their 5x5 scoring! It is surprisingly bad this year! I think they like hiding in the weeds before they strike!

- HenryHockey

Yeah I look at the Bruins roster and after that top line (still the Best #1 line in the NHL) I'm not impressed. I just don't see them going far in the playoffs. But they're like Columbo. You think he's struggling but then he comes out of nowhere and solves the case in the last 5 minutes. Take the Bruins lightly and they'll eliminate your a$$.

Maybe Stevie can trade Nemeth to Florida? No one can replace Ekblad but Nemeth would give them a steady vet defenseman who can play 15-20 minutes a night.
- gergeswillems

Yeah, I am thinking Savard or even Mountour. Nemeth is a LD, they really need a RD. Subban has even been thought of, but Fla really needs a guy that is pure rental, I don't see them over complicating their situation with someone with term and a big cap-hit. After all, Talon is gone.

Yeah, I am thinking Savard or even Mountour. Nemeth is a LD, they really need a RD. Subban has even been thought of, but Fla really needs a guy that is pure rental, I don't see them over complicating their situation with someone with term and a big cap-hit. After all, Talon is gone.

- HenryHockey

Columbus is still in the playoff race. We'll see where they are on deadline day. Savard will stay for now. Montour should definitely move. I can't see any team taking Subban.

Columbus is still in the playoff race. We'll see where they are on deadline day. Savard will stay for now. Montour should definitely move. I can't see any team taking Subban.
- gergeswillems

NJ does not need to move him, they will need more D next year unless they re-sign their FA's.

I'd stay far away from Taylor Hall. Easily the most overrated player in the NHL. But he's a former first overall pick and Hart trophy winner so a desperate team will trade for him. Might be 2 seconds. The AA deal.
- gergeswillems

Hall is still really really good at creating chances, but he’s always been a mediocre-to-bad finisher (except that one year where everything went in for him and he won the Hart, although IMO he really shouldn't have). I think he was also probably more affected by his knee surgery (particularly in terms of his defense / forechecking) than might be commonly surmised.

I think he’s still capable of producing first-line offense but he really needs a sniper on his line to actually finish the chances he creates. He's not a guy who can do it all himself or be a superstar even on a crap team; I think more than most other players with that kind of ceiling, his production is really dependent on the team he's on.

I wouldn't trade for him because I don't think Detroit has the complementary pieces to maximize his talents. But another team could get a great buy-low steal.