Jeremy Laura: Wings and Stars will play 4 games in 6 days

This will be a tight little playoff series for the Wings. Let’s make sure the youth gets ice time.

Helm, Filpula, Gagner, Neilsen and Dekeyser get their last reps in as Wings! The aging veterans are headed to FA or buyouts this off-season! It is their last HURRAH to try to change Stevie's mind!

This will be a tight little playoff series for the Wings. Let’s make sure the youth gets ice time.
- Tee56

I think that’s a good idea. They play two games in 24 hours (after traveling to Dallas) and then fly back to Detroit on the third day with another game the day after. That’s a lot to deal with.

Helm, Filpula, Gagner, Neilsen and Dekeyser get their last reps in as Wings! The aging veterans are headed to FA or buyouts this off-season! It is their last HURRAH to try to change Stevie's mind!
- HenryHockey

I could see keeping Dekeyser to expose him for Seattle. Nielsen could well find himself on that buyout list after the season. It’s definitely another significant roster turnover

I could see keeping Dekeyser to expose him for Seattle. Nielsen could well find himself on that buyout list after the season. It’s definitely another significant roster turnover
- Jeremy Laura

In the 2017 offseason, the buyout window opened before protection lists were due but closed after the expansion draft had taken place.

I'm assuming the same is true this year -- buyout window opens 24 hours after the playoffs end, protection lists are due July 17, expansion draft is July 21. I haven't been able to find published confirmation about when the buyout window ends, but in the past it's been the day before the start of free agency, which is July 28 this year.

This is all a long way of saying that I'm pretty sure Detroit can keep DeKeyser and Nielsen around through the expansion draft if they need them to meet the exposure requirements and then still buy them out afterward if they wish.

In the 2017 offseason, the buyout window opened before protection lists were due but closed after the expansion draft had taken place.

I'm assuming the same is true this year -- buyout window opens 24 hours after the playoffs end, protection lists are due July 17, expansion draft is July 21. I haven't been able to find published confirmation about when the buyout window ends, but in the past it's been the day before the start of free agency, which is July 28 this year.

This is all a long way of saying that I'm pretty sure Detroit can keep DeKeyser and Nielsen around through the expansion draft if they need them to meet the exposure requirements and then still buy them out afterward if they wish.
- Sven22

I think you’re right. With all the expiring contracts and ineligible young players it’s good to have a couple veterans available

I think you’re right. With all the expiring contracts and ineligible young players it’s good to have a couple veterans available
- Jeremy Laura

However: Seattle can sign an unprotected RFA or UFA during a special 48 hour negotiating period that takes place between the time that teams submit their protection lists and the day of the expansion draft. Teams do not get compensation for Seattle signing an RFA like they would in the case of an offer sheet. If Seattle does that, the team the player is currently on will not lose an additional player in the expansion draft.
Wings have several RFA's this season, Maybe this will be a strategy that Stevie employs. There are probably a few RFA's that will be unsigned and unprotected but may have a qualified offer.

However: Seattle can sign an unprotected RFA or UFA during a special 48 hour negotiating period that takes place between the time that teams submit their protection lists and the day of the expansion draft. Teams do not get compensation for Seattle signing an RFA like they would in the case of an offer sheet. If Seattle does that, the team the player is currently on will not lose an additional player in the expansion draft.
Wings have several RFA's this season, Maybe this will be a strategy that Stevie employs. There are probably a few RFA's that will be unsigned and unprotected but may have a qualified offer.
- HenryHockey

All he’d have to do is qualify to be able to cash in on RFAs that signed with Seattle, then he’d also have the option to match. For UFAs, while i don’t see any that would be a problem it’s always a possibility. I’m not very concerned, but it is a possibility.

All he’d have to do is qualify to be able to cash in on RFAs that signed with Seattle, then he’d also have the option to match. For UFAs, while i don’t see any that would be a problem it’s always a possibility. I’m not very concerned, but it is a possibility.
- Jeremy Laura

This is false. If Seattle signs an unprotected RFA during the 48-hour window the original team does not get compensation or the opportunity to match, even if they qualified the player. The only "compensation" they receive is that Seattle cannot select another player from them in the draft.

However: Seattle can sign an unprotected RFA or UFA during a special 48 hour negotiating period that takes place between the time that teams submit their protection lists and the day of the expansion draft. Teams do not get compensation for Seattle signing an RFA like they would in the case of an offer sheet. If Seattle does that, the team the player is currently on will not lose an additional player in the expansion draft.
Wings have several RFA's this season, Maybe this will be a strategy that Stevie employs. There are probably a few RFA's that will be unsigned and unprotected but may have a qualified offer.
- HenryHockey

While this rule exists, in practice I don’t think it’s really relevant to the Wings’ situation.

The main purpose of the window, from what I can see, is to avoid teams using “handshake” deals with their pending UFAs to screw over Seattle. Don’t sign a guy, leave him unprotected, Seattle claims, and then the player signs back with the original team a week later. The window gives Seattle the opportunity to guarantee term on a UFA they really like, and prevents teams from gaining de facto “extra” protection slots.

The same logic holds for RFAs, although since RFAs have a lot less leverage there’s less downside to Seattle just picking them in the draft as normal and signing them later (or, in theory, being entitled to compensation from an offer sheet after free agency begins). Vegas did this with several players, most notably Nate Schmidt.

The only UFAs Vegas ended up selecting were ones they were bribed to take in trades with the original teams, and all three ended up elsewhere. It’s highly unlikely Detroit will have any interest in giving up additional assets to convince Seattle to take (or not take) any specific players, since none of the players they’ll be leaving unprotected are all that valuable.

From Detroit’s perspective in terms of who to protect, I think they’ll consider qualified but unsigned RFAs as equivalent to players with term. So I expect them to protect Bertuzzi, Vrana, Hronek, Rasmussen, and probably Erne while exposing Svechnikov, Smith, Djoos, and one of Lindstrom/Cholowski regardless of who (if any) are signed before the expansion draft.

This is false. If Seattle signs an unprotected RFA during the 48-hour window the original team does not get compensation or the opportunity to match, even if they qualified the player. The only "compensation" they receive is that Seattle cannot select another player from them in the draft.
- Sven22

Good catch Sven. Apologies. I’m not necessarily concerned about our RFAs but it is an interesting situation

Good catch Sven. Apologies. I’m not necessarily concerned about our RFAs but it is an interesting situation
- Jeremy Laura

No worries. As I said in the following post, I agree that I don't think it makes a huge difference for Detroit no matter what. Regardless of under contract, RFA, or UFA the Red Wings don't have enough good players that they need to be worried about losing anyone all that important.

The best players Detroit leaves unprotected (under contract or RFA) will likely be Panik, Svechnikov, Smith, DeKeyser, maybe Cholowski, maybe Erne. Not saying they aren't useful players but all are highly replaceable.

No worries. As I said in the following post, I agree that I don't think it makes a huge difference for Detroit no matter what. Regardless of under contract, RFA, or UFA the Red Wings don't have enough good players that they need to be worried about losing anyone all that important.

The best players Detroit leaves unprotected (under contract or RFA) will likely be Panik, Svechnikov, Smith, DeKeyser, maybe Cholowski, maybe Erne. Not saying they aren't useful players but all are highly replaceable.
- Sven22

I just had a jolt of concern. Petruzzeli. I havent’ heard a word about him. Technically, Seattle can’t speak to him or his agent (tampering) but it does happen. They are going to spend a lot of money, though I’m fairly certain the ELC is the same for expiring collegiates. They could up the bonuses and do some side bonuses as well. I wish the office would give some updates on KP

I just had a jolt of concern. Petruzzeli. I havent’ heard a word about him. Technically, Seattle can’t speak to him or his agent (tampering) but it does happen. They are going to spend a lot of money, though I’m fairly certain the ELC is the same for expiring collegiates. They could up the bonuses and do some side bonuses as well. I wish the office would give some updates on KP
- Jeremy Laura

As I understand it, Detroit maintains exclusive negotiating rights with Petruzzeli until some point this offseason, after the expansion draft / start of free agency. After that he'd be a UFA. (Normally this would be August 15 but I'm not sure if the dates have been shifted due to Covid.)

Since Detroit has exclusive rights Seattle can't talk to him, and since he has no SPC (and would be exempt anyway since he doesn't meet the pro experience requirement either) they couldn't draft him either.

If Petruzzeli simply waits until August 15 (or whatever the new date is) he could talk to and sign with anyone. The expansion draft doesn't make a difference there either way.

As I understand it, Detroit maintains exclusive negotiating rights with Petruzzeli until some point this offseason, after the expansion draft / start of free agency. After that he'd be a UFA. (Normally this would be August 15 but I'm not sure if the dates have been shifted due to Covid.)

Since Detroit has exclusive rights Seattle can't talk to him, and since he has no SPC (and would be exempt anyway since he doesn't meet the pro experience requirement either) they couldn't draft him either.

If Petruzzeli simply waits until August 15 (or whatever the new date is) he could talk to and sign with anyone. The expansion draft doesn't make a difference there either way.
- Sven22

According to Capfrienly it is still Aug 15

As I understand it, Detroit maintains exclusive negotiating rights with Petruzzeli until some point this offseason, after the expansion draft / start of free agency. After that he'd be a UFA. (Normally this would be August 15 but I'm not sure if the dates have been shifted due to Covid.)

Since Detroit has exclusive rights Seattle can't talk to him, and since he has no SPC (and would be exempt anyway since he doesn't meet the pro experience requirement either) they couldn't draft him either.

If Petruzzeli simply waits until August 15 (or whatever the new date is) he could talk to and sign with anyone. The expansion draft doesn't make a difference there either way.
- Sven22

You’re right. My concern is we’ve seen guys get “ghost offers” to wait out their exportation. It’s tampering, for sure. But it’s happening. Before Chayka got busted the amount of illegal scouting was just insane. A player who has the same representation or the rep themselves can present as “what if” scenarios. Etc. I have a feeling KP has a lot of juice right now

You’re right. My concern is we’ve seen guys get “ghost offers” to wait out their exportation. It’s tampering, for sure. But it’s happening. Before Chayka got busted the amount of illegal scouting was just insane. A player who has the same representation or the rep themselves can present as “what if” scenarios. Etc. I have a feeling KP has a lot of juice right now
- Jeremy Laura

It wouldn't necessarily shock me if Petruzzelli ends up bolting for a different team. That's just kind of how it works for late-blooming NCAA players, unfortunately.

If I'm a college kid, played all four years, had a breakout senior season that started drawing potential interest for teams around the league, and I'm not crazy about the team that drafted me ... I mean, why wouldn't I just wait a few more months to become a free agent and then take my pick of a few different teams? There wouldn't even have to be any "tampering" going on; I think you'd probably have a pretty good sense of whether or not you'd get interest from other NHL teams just based on media coverage and grapevine buzz.

It's a tough situation for Detroit for sure. Probably in the next CBA there should be some kind of compensation offered (compensatory pick?) for teams that lose NCAA prospects this way.

It wouldn't necessarily shock me if Petruzzelli ends up bolting for a different team. That's just kind of how it works for late-blooming NCAA players, unfortunately.

If I'm a college kid, played all four years, had a breakout senior season that started drawing potential interest for teams around the league, and I'm not crazy about the team that drafted me ... I mean, why wouldn't I just wait a few more months to become a free agent and then take my pick of a few different teams? There wouldn't even have to be any "tampering" goin
OK,g on; I think you'd probably have a pretty good sense of whether or not you'd get interest from other NHL teams just based on media coverage and grapevine buzz.

It's a tough situation for Detroit for sure. Probably in the next CBA there should be some kind of compensation offered (compensatory pick?) for teams that lose NCAA prospects this way.
- Sven22

OK, so what college FA's can Stevie pilfer on Aug 15??

It wouldn't necessarily shock me if Petruzzelli ends up bolting for a different team. That's just kind of how it works for late-blooming NCAA players, unfortunately.

If I'm a college kid, played all four years, had a breakout senior season that started drawing potential interest for teams around the league, and I'm not crazy about the team that drafted me ... I mean, why wouldn't I just wait a few more months to become a free agent and then take my pick of a few different teams? There wouldn't even have to be any "tampering" going on; I think you'd probably have a pretty good sense of whether or not you'd get interest from other NHL teams just based on media coverage and grapevine buzz.

It's a tough situation for Detroit for sure. Probably in the next CBA there should be some kind of compensation offered (compensatory pick?) for teams that lose NCAA prospects this way.
- Sven22

It’s a fair point. We’ve been talking more seriously about this since Jimmy Vessey’s departure to NYR. The club is responsible to a degree, and could issue an ELC even if the player is staying in college. But, the tampering is undeniable. Some sort of compensatory system needs to be set up, OR allow teams to sign a small number of their drafted collegiate prospects without it counting against the 50 contract maximum until the player leaves school? Something.

I believe Kathrine Tappan looks even better with with the Winged Wheel logo framing her body!

It is snowing like crazy up here!

It’s a fair point. We’ve been talking more seriously about this since Jimmy Vessey’s departure to NYR. The club is responsible to a degree, and could issue an ELC even if the player is staying in college. But, the tampering is undeniable. Some sort of compensatory system needs to be set up, OR allow teams to sign a small number of their drafted collegiate prospects without it counting against the 50 contract maximum until the player leaves school? Something.
- Jeremy Laura

I think the issue (correct me if I'm wrong) is that the moment the player signs their ELC they lose their NCAA eligibility. That's due to NCAA rules, not the NHL.

Ideally (from the team's perspective) if you have a really good prospect going the college route, you figure they're not going to stay the full four years. By the time they finish their sophomore or junior year, they're ready to challenge tougher competition at the AHL or NHL level, ready to start getting paid, ready to start the clock on their ELC so they can get to the possibility of even more lucrative contracts sooner.

But if you've got a late developer who doesn't really show pro potential until senior year, or just a kid who wants to get his degree and is willing to take the financial risk to stay four years, that puts the team in a much tougher spot.

I think the issue (correct me if I'm wrong) is that the moment the player signs their ELC they lose their NCAA eligibility. That's due to NCAA rules, not the NHL.

Ideally (from the team's perspective) if you have a really good prospect going the college route, you figure they're not going to stay the full four years. By the time they finish their sophomore or junior year, they're ready to challenge tougher competition at the AHL or NHL level, ready to start getting paid, ready to start the clock on their ELC so they can get to the possibility of even more lucrative contracts sooner.

But if you've got a late developer who doesn't really show pro potential until senior year, or just a kid who wants to get his degree and is willing to take the financial risk to stay four years, that puts the team in a much tougher spot.
- Sven22

Would be better for original draft team if they move the FA date from Aug. 15 to Dec 15. Players Union would never go for it though.

The videos are fascinating, and I frequently watch them for supplementary facts as I enjoy a game of among us for pure diversion. Intriguing for players of all ages, this ball-shooting game is great fun.