Terry Frei

[kasparaitis 0]

I just finished reading Terry Frei's column, link and it seems like a great idea. Al-be it, highly unlikely due to time contraints. Just imagine the all out war between teams to get specific players. This would test a GM's skills and let them build the team exactly how they see fit. Should I pickup a goalie, forward, power forward, or defensemen? They could probably throw a twist in and catagorize the selections. Goalies first, forwards, then defense. But, that would just help the GM's out. The other way, makes the GM's think a lot more about who they pick first. What do you guys/girls think?

upside - our favorite player(s) join our favorite team(s).

downside - our favorite player(s) leave our favorite team(s).

[Eazy_b97 1]

I still want to see this. I don't think its fair teams will be penalized for playing under the rules of the previous CBA, where others basically "quit" and hoped for a salary cap to be in place so they could basically have their pick of every player.

[chippa13 1844]

I still want to see this. I don't think its fair teams will be penalized for playing under the rules of the previous CBA, where others basically "quit" and hoped for a salary cap to be in place so they could basically have their pick of every player.

It's called planning ahead and being prudent. If a GM was stupid enough not to see that there would be a radically different system in place at the end of the last CBA, that is their own fault.

[Chadd 916]

I still want to see this. I don't think its fair teams will be penalized for playing under the rules of the previous CBA, where others basically "quit" and hoped for a salary cap to be in place so they could basically have their pick of every player.

It's called planning ahead and being prudent. If a GM was stupid enough not to see that there would be a radically different system in place at the end of the last CBA, that is their own fault.

It's also unethical to tank the entire season to get a higher pick or save money. Just ask the fans in Chicago what they think of that type of action.

[chippa13 1844]

I still want to see this. I don't think its fair teams will be penalized for playing under the rules of the previous CBA, where others basically "quit" and hoped for a salary cap to be in place so they could basically have their pick of every player.

It's called planning ahead and being prudent. If a GM was stupid enough not to see that there would be a radically different system in place at the end of the last CBA, that is their own fault.

It's also unethical to tank the entire season to get a higher pick or save money. Just ask the fans in Chicago what they think of that type of action.

It's happened throughout the history of the NHL since the inception of the draft. Boston did it for the Thornton pick, the Pens did it to get Lemieux, Quebec mailed it in for Lindros, etc, etc....

[Chadd 916]

For those teams to tank the season, then do everything possible to cripple the successful organizations via the provisions of the new CBA is a bit different to trying to get the number one pick. Though the actions of the teams you mentioned are distasteful as well.

[Eazy_b97 1]

They bet on the Owners not buckling, and they hit it right. It looks good now, but if this was a luxury tax they'd be done. Hell if the NHLPA accepted the "last minute deal" they'd be screwed.

[chippa13 1844]

For those teams to tank the season, then do everything possible to cripple the successful organizations via the provisions of the new CBA is a bit different to trying to get the number one pick. Though the actions of the teams you mentioned are distasteful as well.

Tampa Bay did something to cripple successful organizations? Calgary did too? These are teams that needed a new CBA and they went to the finals the last time. Edmonton needs the new CBA. Did they tank it last season? The Pens had no choice, they were cash strapped and couldn't field a strong team because they were forced to let their best players go because they couldn't afford them.

[chippa13 1844]

They bet on the Owners not buckling, and they hit it right. It looks good now, but if this was a luxury tax they'd be done. Hell if the NHLPA accepted the "last minute deal" they'd be screwed.

Guess what, the "last minute deal" was better than what they are getting now. The cap is lower and there is linkage to revenues, which there wasn't in the Feb offer.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I never said it wasn't. If the NHLPA accepted the February offer, those teams which unloaded all of their players would've been in alot of trouble for that half season.

[chippa13 1844]

I never said it wasn't. If the NHLPA accepted the February offer, those teams which unloaded all of their players would've been in alot of trouble for that half season.

This should be good. Why would those teams be in trouble?

[Eazy_b97 1]

Little time, not as many quality UFAs as there are right now.

[chippa13 1844]

Check again. There are tons of free agents out there. Both normal UFA's and guys who weren't qualified in anticipation of a new CBA.

[Chadd 916]

For those teams to tank the season, then do everything possible to cripple the successful organizations via the provisions of the new CBA is a bit different to trying to get the number one pick. Though the actions of the teams you mentioned are distasteful as well.

Tampa Bay did something to cripple successful organizations? Calgary did too? These are teams that needed a new CBA and they went to the finals the last time. Edmonton needs the new CBA. Did they tank it last season? The Pens had no choice, they were cash strapped and couldn't field a strong team because they were forced to let their best players go because they couldn't afford them.

You're just ranting now. I never mentioned either Tampa or Calgary, but BOTH spent more than the new cap will permit any team to spend.

Teams like Chicago who tanked an entire season to save money or Boston who did everything possible to have no obligations beyond the lockout so they could cherry pick players that other teams had to cut to get under a cap had a great deal of impact on the negotiations.

The problem in Pittsburgh for over a decade has been the arena. There is no way that team should have remained there coming out of bankruptcy without a new arena deal in place. That is a failing of the NHL and the ownership group who thought the name value of one of the owners would be enough to fill the stands again. They have also made a number of very bad marketing and business decisions that have led to their current situation.

Edmonton made a profit last year. In fact, every Canadian team turned a profit last year. Obviously major changes were needed there.

I agree that changes needed to be made to the CBA. Revenue sharing and a serious luxury tax would have been sufficient to control costs and not force the cancellation of an entire season. In fact, I still believe it would have addressed the problems better than the abomination that the new CBA will end up being for the NHL.

[chippa13 1844]

Boston who did everything possible to have no obligations beyond the lockout so they could cherry pick players that other teams had to cut to get under a cap had a great deal of impact on the negotiations.

Boston planned ahead, after having a very successful season, I might add.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Getting knocked out in the first round by the Habs which exposed that they were a 1 line, possibly less, team? If they were willing to spend some money and bulk that second line up they could've pushed for a cup run.

[chippa13 1844]

A one line team? Gee, I guess a line of Murray/Thornton/Knuble followed by a line of Samsonov/Nylander/whomever with a third line centered by Rolston, a guy who showed a nack for scoring the last 2-3 seasons was just a junk of a lineup. Especially with guys like Gonchar and Boynton manning the points.

[chippa13 1844]

The Thornton contract did screw up rookie deals. However, Jacobs has been proven right by what we're hearing.

[chippa13 1844]

A one line team?  Gee, I guess a line of Murray/Thornton/Knuble followed by a line of Samsonov/Nylander/whomever with a third line centered by Rolston, a guy who showed a nack for scoring the last 2-3 seasons was just a junk of a lineup.  Especially with guys like Gonchar and Boynton manning the points.

Oh, BTW...

Murray, black eye Joe, Knuble combined for 5 points in 7 games last playoffs. Joe with none.

Samsonov, Nylander, and Gonchar did pull their weight though.

So when push comes to shove...

Agreed, the top line didn't perform in the playoffs. However, if you asked most GM's in the league if they would feel good heading into the playoffs with their two top lines being Thornton/Murray/Knuble and Samsonov/Nylander/Bergeron they would all answer "Yes".

[Jason Harris 31]

A one line team?  Gee, I guess a line of Murray/Thornton/Knuble followed by a line of Samsonov/Nylander/whomever with a third line centered by Rolston, a guy who showed a nack for scoring the last 2-3 seasons was just a junk of a lineup.  Especially with guys like Gonchar and Boynton manning the points.

Oh, BTW...

Murray, black eye Joe, Knuble combined for 5 points in 7 games last playoffs. Joe with none.

Samsonov, Nylander, and Gonchar did pull their weight though.

So when push comes to shove...

Jumbo Joe tore rib cartilage at the end of the season. If you throw out his rookie year when he hardly played, he had been a .80 PPG player in the three previous playoffs. I think it's safe to say the injury affected his play.

[chippa13 1844]

A one line team?  Gee, I guess a line of Murray/Thornton/Knuble followed by a line of Samsonov/Nylander/whomever with a third line centered by Rolston, a guy who showed a nack for scoring the last 2-3 seasons was just a junk of a lineup.  Especially with guys like Gonchar and Boynton manning the points.

Oh, BTW...

Murray, black eye Joe, Knuble combined for 5 points in 7 games last playoffs. Joe with none.

Samsonov, Nylander, and Gonchar did pull their weight though.

So when push comes to shove...

Jumbo Joe tore rib cartilage at the end of the season. If you throw out his rookie year when he hardly played, he had been a .80 PPG player in the three previous playoffs. I think it's safe to say the injury affected his play.

Despite getting a free pass in his rookie season and last season, 6 goals in 22 playoff games is far from clutch :lol:

Pssssst...............Joe is more playmaker than goal scorer.

[Jason Harris 31]

Consistant 20-40 goals a season. Don't get down on him...He sure as hell can score goals when there is no pressure...

He has to translate that better into the playoffs, despite him being more of a playmaker.

Theo, since some people think Thornton is overrated, I will say this:

If the NHL is serious about cracking down on the clutching and grabbing, some people will be surprised by Thornton. I watch most of the B's games, and he's a horse behind the net. I'm not aware of too many players that take as much a beating as he does, yet still they have a tough time knocking him off the puck.

Maybe he's a player you have to watch a lot to appreciate, just as was discussed about Neely a couple of weeks ago.