[PST] Second Round: Anaheim (1st pacific) vs Edmonton (2nd pacific)

[the_only_turek_fan]

I am bucking the trend. #### Anaheim. I am going for Edmonton.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by nik-

I think you should start preparing for the eventuality of him re-signing there. It's extremely unlikely he doesn't. Yes, they got gifted a franchise saver to reward their incompetence, but it's not going away.

At this point why would he want to leave?
And unless Chia ruins them in cap hell ( which he has done before) they can fit it under the cap without any problem. If the Pens can have Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang all fit and be a perennial powerhouse others can too.
Me wishing it were otherwise don't make it not true.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I am bucking the trend. #### Anaheim. I am going for Edmonton.

Kindly provide your resignation tomorrow.

[Geeoff]

#### these two teams. I hope the winner gets swept in the conference finals.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

At this point why would he want to leave?
And unless Chia ruins them in cap hell ( which he has done before) they can fit it under the cap without any problem. If the Pens can have Crosby, Malkin, Kessel and Letang all fit and be a perennial powerhouse others can too.
Me wishing it were otherwise don't make it not true.

Yes, I don't see why he leaves. He's going to get the largest AAV contract in league history for max term and as long as the team doesn't implode, there's a chance to compete in the playoffs.

[GullFoss]

I think McDavid isn't going anywhere. But this isn't going to be guarenteed improvement for the team. Kassian, Maroon, Leon, Nurse and McDavid will all need new contracts soon. And the team is already at the cap. So sure, the core might continue to get better, but they're going to have to start shipping off major assets to make room for the contracts. And so, even as the core improves, the team may stagnate.

At the end of this season:

Kassian = 1-2m raise
Leon = 3-4m raise
Russell = 1-2m raise

Players leaving: Henricks (1.8m)

So already for the 2017/18 season, we're likely looking at 0 additions and possibly 1-2 substractions to save 6m. So does the team is not re-signing Russel, trade Eberle, or trade Pouliot?

In 18/19

- McDavid gets a 5m raise
- Nurse gets a 2m raise
-Maroon gets a 2m raise

Off the books is Pouliot (4m).

So within 2 seasons the team needs to replace $11m and get rid of Pouliot. So who else goes? Probably Eberle for sure. And probably Hopkins. And probably Russell (to fund the cap space to replace Eberle, Hopkins and Russell with players averaging cap hits of 2.5m each!) And the team has to replace those to players internally because UFA will be too expensive. Good luck!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

I think McDavid isn't going anywhere. But this isn't going to be guarenteed improvement for the team. Kassian, Maroon, Leon, Nurse and McDavid will all need new contracts soon. And the team is already at the cap. So sure, the core might continue to get better, but they're going to have to start shipping off major assets to make room for the contracts. And so, even as the core improves, the team may stagnate.

At the end of this season:

Kassian = 1-2m raise
Leon = 3-4m raise
Russell = 1-2m raise

Players leaving: Henricks (1.8m)

So already for the 2017/18 season, we're likely looking at 0 additions and possibly 1-2 substractions to save 6m. So does the team is not re-signing Russel, trade Eberle, or trade Pouliot?

In 18/19

- McDavid gets a 5m raise
- Nurse gets a 2m raise
-Maroon gets a 2m raise

Off the books is Pouliot (4m).

So within 2 seasons the team needs to replace $11m and get rid of Pouliot. So who else goes? Probably Eberle for sure. And probably Hopkins. And probably Russell (to fund the cap space to replace Eberle, Hopkins and Russell with players averaging cap hits of 2.5m each!) And the team has to replace those to players internally because UFA will be too expensive. Good luck!

Leon if he's going to sign an 8 million deal is more likely to get a 6 million dollar deal +

Unless McDavid is signing a bridge deal he's going to get Crosby + money especially if he lights it up next year, that's if Edmonton wants a long term deal. I would bet his raise is more along the lines of 10 to 11 million bucks, he's going to be the NHLPA poster boy that lights the way for guys like Mathews and with labor trouble coming I doubt there will be any kind of discount deals from the players.

If Maroon gets another 27 goal year he'll probably get a 5 million dollar offer from someone.

[Soulless Sisters]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Leon if he's going to sign an 8 million deal is more likely to get a 6 million dollar deal +

Unless McDavid is signing a bridge deal he's going to get Crosby + money especially if he lights it up next year, that's if Edmonton wants a long term deal. I would bet his raise is more along the lines of 10 to 11 million bucks, he's going to be the NHLPA poster boy that lights the way for guys like Mathews and with labor trouble coming I doubt there will be any kind of discount deals from the players.

If Maroon gets another 27 goal year he'll probably get a 5 million dollar offer from someone.

Having roughly 20 million dollars tied up in two star forwards didn't hamper the Hawks. Why would it hurt the Oilers? I mean sure, the Oilers don't have a defensemen like Keith, but I would say with certitude that Talbot is a better goalie than Crawford.

Hasn't Maroon been on the 3rd line for most of the series? I don't see him in the long-term cards unless he re-ups for cheap.

[Robbob]

Abe

[dino7c]

McDavid is getting 12M+ not 8M

They are gonna have some big decisions coming up

[CGY12]

Originally Posted by Soulless Sisters

Having roughly 20 million dollars tied up in two star forwards didn't hamper the Hawks. Why would it hurt the Oilers? I mean sure, the Oilers don't have a defensemen like Keith, but I would say with certitude that Talbot is a better goalie than Crawford.

Hasn't Maroon been on the 3rd line for most of the series? I don't see him in the long-term cards unless he re-ups for cheap.

Because the Hawks have managed to draft pretty well and insert good young players into the line up when they lose guys.

The Oilers have shown they are terrible at drafting outside the top 5 and really drafting 1st overall before they were gifted a generational talent.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Soulless Sisters

Having roughly 20 million dollars tied up in two star forwards didn't hamper the Hawks. Why would it hurt the Oilers? I mean sure, the Oilers don't have a defensemen like Keith, but I would say with certitude that Talbot is a better goalie than Crawford.

Hasn't Maroon been on the 3rd line for most of the series? I don't see him in the long-term cards unless he re-ups for cheap.

Hawks have 2 first round losses since they started paying those guys are 10M plus.

Their cups were before those contracts kicked in

[Icon]

Ideal scenario they lose McGruber on an offer sheet because they've so used to having draft picks

[Scary Eloranta]

Hoping for a natural disaster. Barring that, Coilers will win it in 5 or 6.

[Soulless Sisters]

Originally Posted by CGY12

Because the Hawks have managed to draft pretty well and insert good young players into the line up when they lose guys.

The Oilers have shown they are terrible at drafting outside the top 5 and really drafting 1st overall before they were gifted a generational talent.

The Oilers have Puljujarvi coming up and nice complimentary wingers in Caggiula, Pitlick who will be able to replace the contributions of guys like Eberle, Pouliot for a fraction of the cost. When you are set down the middle with McDavid, Draisaitl, and RNH, you don't need star wingers on each line to be have a solid forward core.

Edmonton's drafting mess seems to be a staple of the prior management. Chiarelli's done a good job (results withstanding) and his ability to add guys like Caggiula, Benning via the college FA market is pretty invaluable.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Can both teams lose?

[Soulless Sisters]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Hawks have 2 first round losses since they started paying those guys are 10M plus.

Their cups were before those contracts kicked in

That's to be expected when three of your core players (Hossa, Keith, Seabrook) are all on the wrong side of 30.

They've still been an elite regular season team. Playoffs are super hard to predict. Like, c'mon, did anyone foresee the Leafs even winning a game this year?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Soulless Sisters

That's to be expected when three of your core players (Hossa, Keith, Seabrook) are all on the wrong side of 30.

They've still been an elite regular season team. Playoffs are super hard to predict. Like, c'mon, did anyone foresee the Leafs even winning a game this year?

Hawks are in trouble with those 2x 10.5...they are in cap jail and have to cut salary still for next season. To say it hasn't hampered them is crazy.

They won cups when those guys were making 6.5 or less

[soulchoice]

Don't care who wins this series to be honest. However my prediction is the Oilers in 6. Edmonton can certainly handle the size of the Ducks. As well as they have the skill to match too. Close series in all but I'm calling for an oilers win.

[hummdeedoo]

Never cheer for that northern team and never think that they can win.

Anaheim in 4.