Updates on Nail Yakupov, Jimmy Vesey and more in your NHL rumor mill.
Highlights from Friedman’s latest “30 Thoughts.”
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the recent report of Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov’s trade request. While Yakupov’s agent has permission to speak with other club, the Oilers still must agree to a deal. There’s a gap between the Oilers asking price and what other clubs are willing to offer.
Nashville Predators college prospect Jimmy Vesey’s decision to become a UFA has generated speculation over which NHL club he’ll sign with this summer.
Friedman also provided his take on the decision of Nashville Predators college prospect Jimmy Vesey’s decision to become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15. He believes it’s between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs; the Bruins because they’re his hometown team and the Leafs because his father is one of their scouts plus they drafted his brother in 2014. If the Leafs land Vesey, Friedman wonders if the Predators will file tampering charges.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As long as no one in the Leafs organization publicly admits they lured Vesey by hiring his father and drafting his brother, it will be difficult for the Preds to prove tampering. While those moves could look suspicious, they’re not proof they were made to woo Vesey into become a UFA and potentially joining the Leafs.
He believes at some point the Pittsburgh Penguins had interest in defenseman Dion Phaneuf prior to his trade from Toronto to Ottawa, but his salary wasn’t a fit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And they won’t revisit that interest this summer.
Friedman also touched on Arizona Coyotes GM Don Maloney’s claim he won’t trade defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to whatever team lands the first-overall pick (and the rights to center Auston Matthews), noting a league executive tongue-in-cheek wondered if he’d trade him, Max Domi and his first-rounder for Matthews. Friedman noted Ekman-Larsson’s departure would leave a giant hole his departure on their blueline, plus he has a good-value contract, earning $5.5 million annually for the next three years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekman-Larsson’s not going anywhere.
Los Angeles Kings forward Vincent Lecavalier declined to comment about any possibility he might change his mind about retirement at season’s end. Though Lecavalier’s been reborn with the Kings, they probably can’t afford to keep him if he did change his mind.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s my understanding that assurances of Lecavalier’s retirement this summer was necessary before the Kings agreed to acquire him from the Philadelphia Flyers. If he changes his mind, the $2.25 million cap hit for next season puts a significant squeeze on an already tight payroll for next season. It would certainly hurt efforts to re-sign left wing Milan Lucic. Unless the Kings dump salary elsewhere or find another club willing to take on Lecavalier, this is his final NHL season.
Highlights from TSN’s latest edition of “Insider Trading.”
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Nashville Predators front office remains very frustrated over prospect forward Jimmy Vesey’s decision to become a free agent in August. He claims GM David Poile still wants to try to change Vesey’s mind, though that’s a long shot. LeBrun claims if they knew what Vesey intended to do, they would’ve shopped his rights at the trade deadline for a return that could help them in the upcoming playoffs.
Bob McKenzie reports Calgary Flames college prospect Mark Jankowski is in a similar situation, but he’s currently deep in contract talks with the Flames regarding an entry-level contract and it appears likely they’ll get a deal done. We should also find out over the next 24-48 hours if Boston Bruins college prospect Matt Grzelcyk will sign or opt for free agency.
If the Edmonton Oilers once again win the draft lottery, LeBrun speculates they could listen to offers for the first overall pick but he believes they’ll keep it to select Auston Matthews.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And unless that offer contains a top-two defenseman, the Oilers won’t be interested.
LeBrun expects a parting of the ways with the Oilers and Nail Yakupov, but GM Peter Chiarelli is ready to bring him back to camp next fall unless they get a young player in return who can play on their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers pundits like Jim Matheson and Jonathan Willis believe Yakupov could fetch at best another struggling young player in need of a change of scenery. That’s why I expect he will be part of a larger package, perhaps with their first-round pick or another player.
Vesey to the Bruins?
BOSTON HERALD: Stephen Harris cites “an extremely well-placed source within the Boston-area college hockey community” claiming Jimmy Vesey intends to sign with the Boston Bruins on Aug. 15.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No offense to Harris, as I don’t doubt his source, but don’t be surprised if other sources counter this by saying the Leafs are his destination or that he hasn’t made a decision yet. Vesey’s intentions will likely keep him a fixture in the rumor mill until August.
Who is Jimmy Vesey ?? Oilers should trade Yakupov and their first this year – regardless of what spot that might be for the best defensemen available and another Kaisian Maroon type.
The thing is the best defensemen “available” might be guys like Ryan Ellis, Sami Vatanen or….Dion Phaneuf.
I don’t think Phaneuf would be available. I think if Ottawa makes changes it will be behind the bench and perhaps a move regarding Hoffman, Zibanejad or Lazar. They need to sure up their centre position as the injury to Turris really hindered the team. They need to improve on LW but Hopefully MacArthur will be back next year. Hoffman’s salary demands may force a trade but a change behind the bench may smooth over any player/coach differences. It’s not likely Ottawa will find anything out there in a trade to improve their top 4. Hopefully Chalbot moves up to improve the backend and Boroweicki is healthy.
Despite Melnyk’s talk of change it is hard to imagine where any major change is going to happen. He isn’t going to allow the team to do a full blown tear down as making the playoffs is plainly what he wants. “This team can’t survive if it doesn’t make the playoffs” is the quote he made regarding his budget team.
Perhaps they can find a way to move Ryan. That would certainly shake things up, but easier said than done. Maybe Kessel can join Phaneuf in Ottawa. hahahahahahaha.
Nashville has to suck it up and try to trade Vesey’s rights before the deadline to at least be able to re-coup something even if its only a conditional 5th rounder.
There’s no easy fix for Edmonton, no one has extra top pairing defensemen to spare so any trade will just create another hole for the trading team. No free agents want to go to Edmonton, because lets face it no one ever voluntarily chooses to live in Edmonton. And their own drafted D-men can’t learn under all the pressure of having to be top pairing D-men before their ready.
It is absolutely shocking that Edmonton can be as bad as they are with all that talent. Considering there are teams that are actually trying to loose, who’ve traded away all there best players and filled the roster with cast-offs and they’re still better than Edmonton.
Stop these stupid oiler comments already and think about it,if they did not have the injuries they had this year,eberle,nuge,mcDavid,klefbom,yakapov and many more.Most of these guys are 18 to 22 years old and finally have a good coach which they have not had for 4 years to learn from.It takes time to develope players even first overall picks.Finally some stability here so the players can improve.
News out of the Boston Herald this morning is that Jimmy Vesey will be signing with the Bruins according to a well placed source… we all know how that goes though, many writers and analysts have a number of sources that spew out smoke and what’s said never happens.
I feel the Bruins could absolutely be making a strong run at this player come Aug 15th. As of this morning is seems likely Boston will sign his great friend Matt Grzelcyk who Vesey played a lot of hockey with throughout his younger years. Don Sweeney is a Harvard Alumni. IMO the Bruins are further along in terms of talent, and rebuild (prospect pieces in the organization) than the Maple Leafs… although Hockey’s Future would have Toronto rated #4 and Bruins rated #5 as an organization, I feel the Bruins have more current talent on the active roster and core pieces than the Leafs do… but I had someone yesterday on Facebook strongly think otherwise. I can see the connection between Vesey and the Leafs but many have refuted that lots of scouts have kids playing in different organizations and there’s not a real connection between scouts and players on the roster (not sure if that’s true), also his younger brother was drafted by the Leafs but is also a sophomore in college playing. I’d think the Leafs are further behind the Bruins at this point, it may be a long time before Jimmy Vesey gets the opportunity to play with his younger brother… whereas the path to playing on the Bruins and potentially with his good friend Grzelcyk is likely quicker. Just my thoughts, feel free to blast away!
I understand the kid’s rights, but he should have been clean and clear with Nashville. Screwing the Preds (or any other club) does nothing good for his reputation.
Players are so concerned about their rights, they should be equally concerned about their obligations.
So apparently this morning ESPN is reporting that the Vesey’s group informed the Predators before the deadline the he wasn’t signing with the team…
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/15096290/jimmy-vesey-reps-told-predators-test-free-agency-trade-deadline
So who knows who’s right or wrong, lying or telling the truth, it’s a business at the end of the day and this type of the thing happens
I certainly agree with that. If David Poile is to be believed, Vesey said all along that he was going to sign and then, over the past week, wouldn’t even talk on the phone to Poile. Careful what you wish for, Leaf fans – Justin Schultz comes to mind.
BCLeafFan,
J. Vesey could have had a change of heart. With all the talk, hype, and speculation surrounding this situation (I love all of it BTW because it gives us hockey gurus something to talk about before the playoffs), I almost feel Vesey can’t sign with the Leafs at this point because it’ll further fuel the notion that there may have been tampering involved. If he signs with the Bruins at least many writers and others around the league can assume the kid just wanted to play for Boston… he’s been quoted that his dad and himself dreamed about being drafted by Boston and as a kid wanted to play for them… now with Grzelcyk likely signing with the B’s. It would make for less of a story surrounding tampering versus signing with the Leafs. Just a thought though.
But if you’re Vesey do you want to go to a team that is deeper in talent or less deep in talent? I’m sure he cares more about himself actually getting a chance to play and having an NHL career, then he cares about how close his team is to a Stanely Cup.
The friend argument I can understand. That could go along way but I think actually getting a chance to play is a bigger deal.
But that’s what I don’t understand, Nashville promised him top 6 minutes right now. And Nashville is not that deep at forward. Nasville would seem to me to be the perfect spot for him. After that Toronto and after that Boston but only if his friend is there.
mst,
True, but I guess the argument some are making is that the Bruins will likely not match what Eriksson’s side is standing strong on in terms of contract and if the two sides fail to sign then the Bruins would have an immediate hole on LW to fill (insert LW Jimmy Vesey)… all speculation though. Does make for some interesting convo though, Vesey won’t be able to sign until Aug 15th, Eriksson will be a free agent long before than and will have already 100% signed with an NHL team whether that be the Bruins or someone else.
But in Boston Vesey has to compete with Jake Debrusk as well as all of the established Nhlers. In Toronto left wing is JVR…. and then maybe Leivo, or Leipsic not exactly stiff competition for him.
mst,
Jake Debrusk is still likely a few seasons away in terms of development, and he’s only 19 so there’s no rush on the Bruins part. Same can be said for Anders Bjork who’s the other highly touted LW prospect. Frank Vatrano has exploded this year, in a good way, so the Bruins have an option there. If Eriksson leaves via free agency then the B’s are left with Marchand and Beleskey has their 2 current left wingers… Vesey could compete with Vatrano for a spot on 3rd line LW, Vatrano could slot over to center where he has played quite a bit before. 3rd line could look like Vesey-Vatrano-Griffith, Hayes could move down to 4th or swing between 3rd and 4th. I think there is a path there with the LW, if Eriksson does in fact leave.
His motivation for opting for free agency clearly isn’t the opportunity to play, the relative depth of the organization at LW, or financial gain because he would have had all of those in Nashville. He appears to be motivated by personal reasons. I think he’s going to Boston because that’s his home and he grew up a Bruins fan. It’s the same situation with the Leafs and Hyman. He wanted to play for his home town team and he was able to pull the strings to make it happen. I say more power to him. I want guys like that on my team.
CO,
Agreed, I think it’ll come down to the Leafs and Bruins. The contract and financial reasoning isn’t there… he’s going to get paid regardless and they’ll likely be roughly the same amount whether it’s Nashville, Boston, Toronto, or whoever. The kicker for signing with Nashville to my understanding was burning a year off the ELC. That’s a nice perk but as you mentioned if he had an obvious path to playing on the Predator’s now, and maybe even top 6… then why opt out. It’s all about preference at this point, he prefers to play for a team that he wants to play for (could be leafs, bruins, or whoever)… it’s his choice ultimately. Who knows, Vesey and his camp could have been playing this card since he was drafted and that’s why he opted to finish college, could have been part of his longterm plan all along.
Milan Michalek is a LW & he will be in Toronto to start the season till at least the trade deadline & then there is the 25% cap hit that also needs to be exposed for expansion & Toronto will have a cap hit close to the cap so need to expose about 18.5 million.
The following players are also LW or can play LW in Toronto. Lupul, Greening, Laich & Komorov as well as the 2 prospects you mentioned in Leivo & Leipsic.
It’s really no less crowded in Toronto than Boston.
Toronto’s LW next season looks like JVR, Michalek, Laich & Greening not counting trades, buyouts; Greening not eligible to be bought out, UFA signings, buyouts or demotions.
Bostons’s LW looks like Marchand & Belesky depending upon what happens with Eriksson who plays either side as effectively & has pretty much his entire time in Boston as required or line placement warrants. Pastrnak could play LW but has been used primarily as a RW. Belesky could easily be moved to the 3rd line allowing for a more effective 2nd line LW.
Wavers are coming into play for Griffith & Khokhlachev next season in Boston. It’s time to make room for either or they will need to be waved.
@ Striker
LW in TO may be crowded but only in numbers. I would argue none of those players are in the long term plans ~JVR maybe. Michalek, Lupul, Laich and Greening could all sit in the press box as far as I’m concerned. Michalek should be traded IMO. Lupul I would jettison the way of Clarkson. Laich is 4th line material, and Greening is ideally a 13th forward.
I agree totally with your assessment that Matt Grzelcyk and Jimmy Vesey have had childhood dreams of being Bruins. The only really difference is Matt actually was drafted by the Bruins and doesn’t have the current high upside potential Vesey does.
You have to wonder if some NHL teams have started drafting more local talent, kids that are life-long fans of the team, who may not ever dare let their tempation to stray away from their “owners.” There are several examples that this has happened more of late.
I wrote this yesterday trying to attempt to predict if this latest ripple was simple that or is a tidal wave on the way?
http://www.draftsite.com/article/does-the-jimmy-vesey-decison-change-the-way-nhl-teams-draft?/524/
I guess the part of this exchange that doesn’t set well is some team just got a free draft pick that only cost only them the same maximum rookie attainable performance bonus structure ($2.85 million) that would apply to anyone of their own drafted prospects.
Poile whines about the teams’s “investment” of time & resources, they paid for ALL their prospects to come to rookie camp (and also invited lots of non-drafted ones, right?
They sent someone to monitor his play and give him advice on how he probably should have done this or that? It is all about business. I don’t want to live in Nashville, and Jimmy doesn’t either. As far as two brothers (and buddy Grzelcyk) playing together, how’d that work out in Chicago for the Hayes bros.?
Since the league can’t simply close the loophole w/o the player side on board, why not simply change the rule to give Nashville (and all teams affected by it) compensation at the END of the round of the next draft? Not perfect but something.
But in the back of my mind, I want the new team to have to pay something to the team they just pooped on.
Bill,
All great points! Nice write up as well, Jankowski did just in fact sign with Calgary (made official) to an ELC. I also agree with the Grzelcyk point, certainly not as high as Vesey in terms of upside but I think what we’re seeing here is the player simply not wanting to play for that team and exercising his right not to… I have no problem with this in terms of NCAA players opting out just as you said there should be some type of compensation involved, end of round pick (of the round the team took the player originally) or the team that ends up signing him must move a pick to the original team as compensation… kind of like the GM stipulation if you’re fired and hired elsewhere (not sure if that changed this off season though, I know there was a lot of talk about it)
The speculation that OEL would be moved for the 1st overall is asinine in itself… franchise defenseman who’s 24 and signed at $5.5m for the next 3 seasons after this one for Auston Matthews… it’s not a knock on Matthews because I feel he’ll be a great player but many have said he’s not a generational talent like Crosby, Ovechkin, or even McDavid for that matter. Not sure what to believe at this point and it’s likely too soon but I wouldn’t move OEL for him.
I agree. I think Arizona would trade their forward depth for Matthews. I even think they might be willing to overpay a little with forward prospects just for the publicity and marketing value of having a home town Arizonian star. But they’re not trading OEL.
I could see forwards and picks being packaged, yes.. agreed!
not asinine at all. With the age of Arizona’s young guns by the time they really hit their stride OEL, while not out of his prime, would be getting there. OEL for the first and Nurse would fit their current age group. A potential good d-man and a top center for a top 10 d-man is about right.
The 1st round pick for OEL is asinine, no-one and certainly not I said that Nurse and the 1st for OEL was (asinine)… the report was moving the 1st round pick for OEL, not including other pieces with the pick besides the point made about Arizona moving Domi and their 1st for Matthews… all I’ve seen are reports about moving the pick for OEL. Do you think Chiarelli would entertain moving Nurse and their 1st (if it’s the 1st overall) for OEL?
looks like the Bruins are making are looking towards the future …O’Gara..Kuraly & Vesey…goodbye Eriksson & take Hayes,Connolly & Krug with you
I’d be okay giving J. Hayes another season… Connolly I’ve about had it with, can’t stand watching him play and he missed quite an opportunity last night to bury one and didn’t. Krug I think it comes down to the contract… shouldn’t be much more than what he’s making. He’s had a down year but who’s ready behind him to slot in… Colin Miller? C. Miller maybe. We’ll see.
they are going to have the $ to spend on FA’s this offseason & would like to see them get a DMan who can point the PP with size & a big lock down DMan…they have a few big DMen in the system but they are going to need time to develop a NHL game…….
I think even if they kept Hayes, Krug… resigned Marchand long term (priority), they will still have space to sign a top Dman in the off season. Or trade for one if that ends up unfolding. I think the Eriksson situation will play out into Eriksson leaving for another team, which will only open up a lot more money for the Bruins. I agree with you in regards to the defenseman coming up and still being years away.
would like to see them go after Jason Demers to start and look for that shut down DMan
I like Krug. Small in stature but has decent body weight but his role’s & responsibilities have been increasing annually. He’s just completing his 3rd full season of NHL play & is still several years away from being fully developed.
I like him as a Bruin & he’s not going to break the bank yet.
Striker,
I agree, I would like to see them retain Krug… I don’t think the number is going to be unreasonable this summer and he’s still an RFA either way. He could certainly opt to holdout September again but I’m sure they’ll cross the bridge sooner this offseason than the last go around. I think a lot of people forget he’s only completing his 3rd NHL season and this year has really been considered a down year, which may be because of the increased role. I’d like to see Krug receive a little less in terms of minutes per game, increase a bit on PP. He’s a great #4 defenseman.
Vessey still is an unproven 22 year old rookie. He is worth the risk to sign-but no way can he be ordained as a NHL regular. We have all seen college busts as well as successes. It will be interesting to have a crystal ball-and see his next contract 2 years down the road.
Absolutely agreed! There’s way too much hype surrounding this kid. But on the other hand he is a freebie to whomever signs him. All he takes up is one of the 50 contract spaces. Can’t get much lower risk than that!
scott,
You’re absolutely correct, he’s still unproven and it’s a big leap from the NCAA to the NHL… it’s a big leap from the AHL to the NHL. Many AHL players never play in the NHL, and many that excel in the AHL never quite fit in the NHL when called up. I think mst touched on it a bit where it’s a low risk, high reward signing. Former 3rd round draft pick, obviously a smart individual, good character, going to be a Harvard graduate, opted to stay throughout college and play… continue to develop. All good signs for an NHL team looking to sign a player. He’s likely filled out into his body more being that he’s 22 years old 6’3 and 203 lb. It’ll be fun seeing all of this unfold over the next 4 months or so.
Vesey is a 22 year old 3rd round draft pick (66th overall) who tied for 14th in scoring in the NCAA. A low percentage of 3rd round picks make it in the NHL so I’m not sure why he’s getting all the love. Gravelly is a 5’9″ defenseman so I doubt he will become an NHLer. I’d be more excited about Kyle Connor and Brock Boeser, two 19 year old freshmen who came 1st and 5th respectively in scoring in a league filled with 22 year olds.
Gravelly=Grzelcyk
Jimmy Vesey was rated #2 NCAA prospect in the nation by The Hockey News (this year). You can find many write-ups from analysts, and hockey writers that have him ranked at least top 10 in the nation in terms of being a prospect in college, even as of last season.
Grzelcyk is listed by some at 5’9 others at 5’10, but regardless there are still some great offensive-defenseman in the NHL who are under 6’0. Vatanen and Krug come to mind. A lot of others listed right at 5’11. Grzelcyk has great hands and solid possession numbers, responsible in his own end as well. Tough to cast doubt on him becoming an NHL player so soon.
Yup, we are talking about a kid that has proven nothing at all so far. he could have chewed up a year of his ELC in Nashville
It looks like Buffalo may have found a potential NHL quality defensemen for free. He’s not a leftie like you have been pining for but Casey Nelson has been a nice find.
It always shocks me when players I have barely heard of step in & make a contribution like this. Small window but impressive non the less.
Good for Buffalo.
he will make Pysyk expendable
The so called experts & sites that are qualified to truly access these players abilities are reasonably sound. I don’t speculate that he will be a star but if the people I respect, the Bobby Mac’s, Pierre MacGuires of the world, Hockey’s Future & THN Future Watch say he’s 1 of the best players not playing in the NHL that means to me he will be a top 6 forward for a pretty lengthy period of time. What that mean’s in points who knows. Some players abilities don’t transfer but that doesn’t mean they don’t have long careers regardless just not necessarily as scorers.
Striker,
Hockey’s Future and THN are great resources, a lot of the contributors put far more time and effort into these assertions than I personally do. I gather much of my knowledge from reading and listening to radio broadcasts. It’s tough to peg any players as what they’ll be prior to experience in the league itself but a lot of people are saying this kid is the real deal, not sure it’s translated in points this season but he was a Hobey Baker Finalists last season for what that’s worth.
Boston will sign Vesey that’s coming from a source directly assoc with the team
What source and how were you told? If Boston knows now that they are going to sign him that is tampering.
I think rick sells peanuts at the game and he is the source lol
Two things need to be addressed at the next CBA… or before:
1) Close the loophole that these unsigned draftees are exploiting to reap the benefits of a UFA despite doing absolutely nothing to earn it.
2) Input a rule for drafts that if a team drafts 1st overall then they are automatically excluded from drafting within the top 3 for the next 3 drafts. That will spread talent new talent around all the non-playoff teams creating more competition throughout the league.
ThirstyDeer,
I’m not so sure I fully agree with you here, it’s not really a loophole… it’s part of the CBA and teams and players in the NCAA are all fully aware. It’s a chance you take signing NCAA players, just as the Bruins sign many and always run that risk. The players choose to finish 4 years of college and begin their professional hockey careers at 22 rather than players who are in other leagues at 18-19 and some making the NHL as early as such. It’s one of the very few agreed upon areas of the CBA that actually favor a player rather than an organization. The organizations have much of the power over players throughout a large portion of their careers, and much of the rules favor the GM’s and teams. In this case it does not.
As with your 2nd point, I do semi-agree with you.. maybe if a team drafts 1st overall then exclude from being able to draft 1st overall again in the following 2 years. Excluding them entirely from the top 3 is a little steep but I do see your point. It often bothers me to see teams like the Oilers continue to draft 1st overall, but then again the team isn’t all that competitive… something needs to change there because I don’t think it’s good for the league.
mst, ff course the draft is in the team’s favour. The team uses up a draft pick on a player, puts in considerable time and money to develop them and grow them into the best NHL player they can be – which of course the player profits from in due time (contract signings). It’s like any other job… you get in, you pay your dues, and you advance (which comes with raises). The player needs to remember how fortunate they are to even get to be drafted – something thousands upon thousands of other teens will never experience, but instead want the world given to him without having to even go out and carve a place for himself in it. It’s simple, as a young player the team has the upper hand until the player has proven themselves and developed to what they can be, and at that point they have control of their future.
Chad, I agree with that you said about the draft. I just tossed the exact proposal out there but the principle is the same… basically spread the wealth across the league – which makes the entire league stronger. I think heads will do full 360s if the Oilers get 1st overall again.
Oh, forgot to add to Chad’s post… I have nothing wrong with prospects choosing to finish schooling first instead of dropping out to go pro right away. I just don’t think that should be a method players can use to get away from the team that used their draft pick on them.
Thirstydeer. Vesey spent 4 years carving a place for himself. Instead of leaving college and joining the league earlier. He achieved a degree is not a teenager and has earned the right to come to an agreement with another team as to where he might play. He chanced a career ending injury by delaying his arrival to the NHL. No where is it claimed he can just pick one of the 30 teams and they have to take him. He hasn’t earned that much, but I disagree with you that he hasn’t earned anything and hasn’t put any work in regarding his profession. Most professional hockey players are putting the work in from a young age far before the normal folk like you or I decide to put the work in our careers.
ThirstyDeer,
Bill mentioned above what if they changed the CBA to include some form of compensation to the team losing the player, what’s your thoughts on that? Also, I mentioned what if the team that signs the player has to move a comparable pick to the team who lost him… thoughts?
Jeff Noel, I understand what you’re saying but hasn’t earned anything in the NHL. He’s a prospect, just like the hundreds of other prospects who all want to play in the NHL and get that big payday. He may be more highly touted than some others, but as a NHL player he hasn’t done anything yet, and already is trying to cash in via the UFa route – a route that is meant to be for established players who have put in several seasons and hundreds of games at the NHL level. Remember that the UFA status used to be for players who were 31 years old, and only got it dropped down to 27 years old in the most recent CBA. Now these college kids are trying to use the loophole to get the very same status, but have done zero in the NHL to earn it. College hockey is a long way from NHL. He hasn’t even done any AHL games. When it came to the lst CBA signing I was on the player’s side, but not this time.
Chad, that is a fair system… or as fair as it can be. Maybe the pick has to be the same round as the pick the drafting team lost, or maybe even the team’s highest pick without the pick being later then the pick the drafting team. For example if Vesey was drafted with the 45th overall pick, then the team that signs him has to give up their lowest pick without it being worse then 45th overall. Makes sense in my head, but then again I am rather sleep deprived right now.
But Thirsty he can’t cash in. There is a cap on entry level deals regardless if he signed with Nashville or not. He actually delays by a year his opportunity for his 2nd contract which could earn him a lot more than his entry level deal.
Jeff Noel, financially you are right, he is capped by the entry level deal in terms of compensation, but he can make other demands like guaranteed playing time and where he fits on the roster, things like that. When Justin Schultz went the UFA route he wanted to look for a team that wouldn’t put him in the minors and guarantee him top 4 playing time. Other considerations include the market, prospects of endorsements, other social/living considerations, etc.
No way! The entire draft process is a rigged game in the owners favour. Good for Vesey for breaking his shackles! Maybe he doesn’t like country music and pick-up trucks, why should he be forced to live far away from friends and family?
Look at a kid like McDavid he is making WAY below what he’s worth, both from a hockey standpoint and from the number of fans he puts in the stands. Plus he’s being forced to live in Edmonton! That alone is a crime against humanity! If he gets injured before he can cash in he’s screwed.
The owners shouldn’t be allowed so much power in the first place.
I want a rotating “circle draft” that lets all teams know almost precisely where they are picking in the next thirty years.
No rewards for mismanagement, poor personal decisions or not developing prospects or developing and adapting ;long term strategies to GET better.
This is the way it was proposed to work for the NBA:
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-nbas-possible-solution-for-tanking-good-bye-to-the-lottery-hello-to-the-wheel/
BEFORE you EVEN READ THAT click on this one to see the wheel and pick your favorite team and see how their enitre long term draft strategy just got clearer and let’s the team make long term plans to stock, restock and trade based on the already determined draft slotting. Expansion? the wheel just gets tweaked a bit.
http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/5/20/5735850/the-nba-draft-lottery-wheel-a-proposal-to-solve-the-leagues-draft-zarren-fixed-solution
What is the benefit for Vesey by choosing to go UFA at this time?
Oh he can choose the team he wants to play for. OK well that’s nice but he loses out on the chance this year to win a cup with a team and he increases the time it will take him to get his 2nd more lucrative contract but this loophole needs to be closed because young players are gaining so much from it.
pffff….Nashville’s management was simply wrong to take the word of a kid as a signed contract. L.A. may find themselves in an unwanted spot to if Lecavalier suddenly changes his mind. If it is not written down in a contract don’t go blaming the other guy because he said he’d do something and he isn’t. It’s the chance one takes. I have little sympathy for Nashville and will have little for L.A. if Lecavalier does a 180 on his retirement plans.
Jeff NOel,
I’m more on board with this, the obvious benefit and really only benefit at this time is choice… none financially, if anything I guess it’s slightly swung in the other direction in terms of financial benefit because he’s missing out on the burn year from the ELC, ect. I said it above and I’ll say it again, the players have very little in terms of power in this league until they reach free agency, which is what? 27 years old or 7 years in the league or was that the old parameters, sometimes I get confused my mind races around LOL. I think it’s a nice perk for the NCAA player, encourages education also… don’t always chase the money. Finish your 4 years and then you have the option to opt out and choose the team you want. The organization that drafts you has knowledge of this and it’s understood. I feel like this conversation or issue pops up every season around this time… it’s not the first time this has happened either.
It will most likely be addressed in the next CBA negotiation but not necessarily. It was left untouched in the last lock out.
I agree with your 2nd point. Perfect solution.
Would I be crazy to suggest
Yakupov and RNH to Ottawa
Hoffman and Weircoich to Edmonton
Is RNH and Hoffman an even trade with the other two valueless guys thrown in? Will Melnyk take on a 6 million dollar contract to soilidfy the Sens in the middle. Will Edmonton Stomach Hoffman’s possible contract demands themselves?
Seems sensible to me until I see your guys responses. I’m sure you all will let me know how silly this idea is for either side. lol
you must be on something if you think that is all it will take from ottawa
TO get RNH-it better start with Lazar and Zibanejad
I am on something. A whole lot of Optimism.
I thought you all valued RNH less than I did. But yes your are certainly correct. I think it would take more than Hoffman to get RNH. What else can we offer.
I’ll take Hoffman.
According to the leafs haters players dont want to play for a team just because it’s close to home and they grew up cheering for the team. For the first overall pick and I would like to see A single knockout tournament between all non-playoff teams to set the draft order.
That would be exciting, but the point of the draft is to give bad teams better players so they won’t be bad in order to create parity.
Your suggestion makes the best non-playoff team better but the worst place teams will never win the tourney and hence never get better.
The draft worked to help Florida and Tampa and Chicago and Pittsburgh go from basement to penthouse. It’s only Edmonton that it has failed. But I think that has more to do with Edmonton’s management and the fact that no free agents ever want to live in Edmonton, then it is to do with the draft.
But it would eliminate tanking. And why should a team be rewarded for finishing last? They should have to work for it. And in a single elimination tournament even the last place team has a chance of moving up, they should be able to win one game
The new format should be sufficient to curb pure tanking like we saw from a few teams over the years. The new weightings & the fact the best you can hope for is 4th overall should you finish dead last & lose the 3 lottery’s.
As we saw last season which still had last at 25% & guaranteed at least the 2nd overall pick is it doesn’t necessarily work. The new rules should see a multitude of surprises. A 20% chance isn’t very good & the odd’s of probability say your not going to be selecting 1st far more times than you do when you finish dead last.
It still gives you the best shot but it isn’t a great shot. In 1 of our fantasy leagues which is just finishing up it’s 27th year we weight the lottery. Last has a 16.5% chance of winning. They have won twice in 26 lottery’s! You can only drop 3 spots & in more instances than not, they have done just that.
I think we need to let the new system play out for about a decade to gauge it’s effectiveness.
Vesey already burnt two years of earnings by playing college hockey. Juniors can become free agents or go back into the draft after two years if they go unsigned. He would immediately become the #2 left winger on the Leafs if the scouting reports are true. Michalik and Lupul are not the future so he will play before them. The other factor in TO is that he becomes another forward in competition with his brother for a spot. By my figuring there are at least a dozen players trying to become top six players in TO. Bruins sound like the logical place and I am a Leaf fan and would love to have him.
you are gonna hear more and more teams added to the vessey sweepstakes he is not a free agent till august the rumors will be swirling