tom webster

I understand where you are coming from but ever since Andy Messersmith signed the first uber rich free agent deal I have been hearing how free agency would end pro sports as we know it. When salary caps were established, the next battle cry, championed by LQ, was how teams would implode with all these rich contracts and the smart teams would be waiting in the weeds to scoop up all these players that teams could no longer afford. Still waiting.....

Actually I would argue that most people think it was Ruuttu for Hasek.

That was my thought as well when I read the post.

I have posted a couple links previously. right now i have no desire to research again but more then one reputable person has reported this. The new TV contracts alone will push it up $5 to $6 million. This years cap was held down by player concerns over escrow payments.

Their first extensions were 5 for $31.5M. These are 8 for $84M.

With the cap expected to be around $75M, next year, it should be closer to 28% of the cap in the first year, but still well worth it. The Blackhawks are proving that you can keep your stars and still compete for the Cup. While four lines is the way everyone is going its really about 5 to 7 stars, 4 forwards, 2 defenseman and a decent goalie. Managing the rest of the roster is just a matter of being to identify talent, get value added contracts and knowing when to move those assets for other assets or promote them for one of your top 6.

Good for him. Maybe Patrick is growing up a bit. Excellent news for the team as well.

You are putting way too much stock into schemes. LB's are going the way of FB's. Teams play nickle and dime over 60% of the time now. That plus the fact that Schwartz was Pettine before Pettine was Pettine and I'm not overly worried about the D. In the end, the only thing that will matter is if Manuel is what I think he is or what you think he is.

Huh ?

Their own

If he ever figured out how to improve his skating, he could accelerate the team's rebuild by a full year. I, for one, am not counting on it.

I would concur, although in my case it has been with my son, a couple of daughters, my wife and some friends. There is no cost/ benefit analysis for those moments and isn't that the meaning of discretionary spending anyway?

Congrats.

First. , I always find you respectful. Second, I said the point is valid but not that I necessarily agree with. For the record, I agree with your perspective.

He knows the revenue sharing system and that they are not "small market." He was making a point, one that I believe is valid, that they cry small market in need of revenue sharing when it works for their agenda but act like a well heeled, big market team.

The only who called the buy out

I'm already taking heat for saying this about Stafford so I will take the heat for Hodgson. He has some obvious problems on the defensive side but to question his compete level flies in the face of what everyone close to the team will tell you. Rip Simonik listed him as one of his top 3 Sabres of all time when it comes to work ethic. I'm not sure he fits TM's vision but he will be a consistent 30 goal scorer in the league provided he stays healthy

I will do that. I personally like Bennett but I'm pretty sure it's not. You choose the terms. My charity will be make a wish

I'd be willing to bet big on that. If they have known for two months it has to be him and everything else they have been saying is subterfuge.

I have taken a lot of hear for defending Stafford as a second line winger. Like it or not there are those whose opinion I trust that think he will be captain this year.

Don't know if this was brought up and don't know where it belongs but we finally have a Marfan Syndrome sighting as a player from Baylor had his career ended by the diagnosis.

No, they said that Dreger said that Montreal and Toronto were on the list Just to be clear, I'm not saying that I want Spezza, just saying that Buffalo is reportedly not on list and TM supposedly hinted that he had had that conversation.

According to Dreger, Buffalo is not one of ten teams he put on his list of 10 he wouldn't go to First he threw it out there acknowledging that he just wanted to gauge reaction. Second, Murray was very coy when discussing his interest the other day finally acknowledging that the timeline might not be right for deals like these

Exactly. Leino, if healthy and if he wants to will get another NHL contract.

Not sure why I feel the need but there is no proof that he is meddling, just being kept informed.