Jeremy Laura: Early camps for the unlucky 7, and a calm before the storm?

Let basketball have 'em!

They make most of the hockey sticks now and they must make a lot of other hockey gear.
- HenryHockey

That brought about an interesting development. Only Warrior had a plant (Mexico) outside of China for NHLers. I touched base with a product expert. Their retail sticks are made in China, but the pro sticks are made in Mexico. My first street stick was wood (not that long ago). The composite stick was going to be “unbreakable”. Wooden sticks don’t have the “snap”, but I miss them. The feel is so different and a lot of Canadian plants are gone. I would love to see someone step up and make a North American production again. Warrior gained clients because some players had to switch momentarily.

This was insightful and impressive. Appreciate all the work that went into this.

This was insightful and impressive. Appreciate all the work that went into this.
- MartysBetter88

Oh man, thanks for that! That means more than I can tell you. I love our sport, I don’t want more pain and losses. Just some concerning things bubbling up. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!

Nice work Jeremy.

Nice work Jeremy.
- Reubenkincade

Thanks!

Funny you mention using wood stick for street hockey. We had a coach many many years ago that wanted each player over the summer to play as much street hockey as possible (with wood stick) The wood stick will naturally wear down over time being worn away by cement. This is how you find your natural stick Lie.

Just a tid bit.

That brought about an interesting development. Only Warrior had a plant (Mexico) outside of China for NHLers. I touched base with a product expert. Their retail sticks are made in China, but the pro sticks are made in Mexico. My first street stick was wood (not that long ago). The composite stick was going to be “unbreakable”. Wooden sticks don’t have the “snap”, but I miss them. The feel is so different and a lot of Canadian plants are gone. I would love to see someone step up and make a North American production again. Warrior gained clients because some players had to switch momentarily.
- Jeremy Laura

We had a sporting goods store go out of business when I was a kid and I swear my dad bought me like 12 sherwoods with the wicked Coffey curve. I rocked those until I finally got upgraded to the Nike 2 piece setup because you know Fedorov and all his Nike poop.

Another random aside:

Gerges mentioned this in the comments of the last blog and I haven't thought it through at all, so maybe further reflection will prove it to be a stupid idea. But is there any chance another team might be interested in trading for Zombie Zetterberg?

~$6 million cap hit but only owed $1 million in salary. Could maybe be useful for either a team looking to circumvent the salary floor or exploit LTIR to circumvent the cap?

Funny you mention using wood stick for street hockey. We had a coach many many years ago that wanted each player over the summer to play as much street hockey as possible (with wood stick) The wood stick will naturally wear down over time being worn away by cement. This is how you find your natural stick Lie.

Just a tid bit.
- Tee56

Ok, but You play hockey on skates, making you 2 1/2" taller.......

Another random aside:

Gerges mentioned this in the comments of the last blog and I haven't thought it through at all, so maybe further reflection will prove it to be a stupid idea. But is there any chance another team might be interested in trading for Zombie Zetterberg?

~$6 million cap hit but only owed $1 million in salary. Could maybe be useful for either a team looking to circumvent the salary floor or exploit LTIR to circumvent the cap?
- Sven22

I don’t think anyone has an issue of hitting the cap floor. Maybe there’s a Zetterberg and Rasmussen for Colin White deal to be made?

I don’t think anyone has an issue of hitting the cap floor. Maybe there’s a Zetterberg and Rasmussen for Colin White deal to be made?
- Feds91Stammer

Ottawa was definitely one of the teams I was thinking about. They are currently just over the floor at ~$60.8 million in cap payroll, but have less than $49 million in actual salary expenses. They seem pretty determined to spend as little as possible and go face first into tank mode. There might be a scenario where Zetterberg helps keep them above the floor while paying even less.

We had a sporting goods store go out of business when I was a kid and I swear my dad bought me like 12 sherwoods with the wicked Coffey curve. I rocked those until I finally got upgraded to the Nike 2 piece setup because you know Fedorov and all his Nike poop.
- Feds91Stammer

I love those Sherwoods!

I don’t think anyone has an issue of hitting the cap floor. Maybe there’s a Zetterberg and Rasmussen for Colin White deal to be made?
- Feds91Stammer

Interesting and well done sir! Keep an eye out, that is intriguing

Ottawa was definitely one of the teams I was thinking about. They are currently just over the floor at ~$60.8 million in cap payroll, but have less than $49 million in actual salary expenses. They seem pretty determined to spend as little as possible and go face first into tank mode. There might be a scenario where Zetterberg helps keep them above the floor while paying even less.
- Sven22

Ottawa is a heartbreaker. There has been and is some legitimate talent. Ownership, man, never mind. Just thankful for owners that step up. Ottawa deserves better

Funny you mention using wood stick for street hockey. We had a coach many many years ago that wanted each player over the summer to play as much street hockey as possible (with wood stick) The wood stick will naturally wear down over time being worn away by cement. This is how you find your natural stick Lie.

Just a tid bit.
- Tee56

That is actually dead on! I had a stick that I used and the blade shaved down a bit. I loved the curve. Had it for year until i broke it in half on a slap shot. I still have a 2 piece with a wooden blade for outdoor. Not the same

Some insight and update. TSN reporting player salary expectations:

“The NHLPA has been operating on the belief this entire time that as soon as the players play one game in the 2020-21 season, that they will receive all of their stated salary minus 20 per cent for escrow and 10 per cent for a salary deferral.”

There is talk (finally) of a reduced season. Starting in January and trying to get 82 games plus playoffs while working around the Olympics is, frankly, dangerous. The question NOW arises, will salaries be prorated? I was unaware of the salary deferral of 10%. Players are losing 30% off the top (10 will come back). Tax brackets for anyone making over 1 million will hit anywhere from 30 - 50% depending on state/province. Agent fees still have to be calculated. I’ll state it again, players need to have all taxes deferred (or as much as possible) and get a very good (honest) accountant.