[Trade] DeBrincat (4 x $7.875mil AAV) to DET for Kubalik, Sebrango, cond 1st, 4th

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I've talked to a few players I know who are currently playing in the NHL. All of them mentioned COVID is still fresh in the minds of the players. The bubble season was rough for a lot of the American guys being locked down and not having family with them. And while they couldn't really do much in Canada, their family and friends in the states were able to enjoy themselves much more. The players don't disagree with how COVID restrictions were managed in Canada, but they would rather be in their own country if it went down again. I think it might take 5 or more years of normal life again before most American born players want to sign long term in Canada.

Yes, these things ebb and flow, and Covid pushed it pretty far one way. It will likely take a few years for things to settle back. But I don't doubt that they will.

I think it's pretty indisputable that the salary cap leveled the playing field significantly. No system is perfect, but the cap basically saved the Canadian teams not playing in Toronto.

[Sylvanfan]

The younger UFA age is becoming a great equalizer for the players that they got for the lower cap. Realistically teams are getting 5 years of NHL service on a lot of players until they can pick where they play. Putting guys in the AHL to develop is almost a hindrance because you burn service time to develop a guy who gives you less NHL service. A team like Calgary is going to need to innovate where they spend money to build a better team. No one in Canada seems to be figuring it out as the Canadian based teams outside of Montreals fluke run are getting further from being cup winners than closer. Vancouver in 2011 was the last Canadian based team who got there with a team that could have won. That's 12 years ago now.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, these things ebb and flow, and Covid pushed it pretty far one way. It will likely take a few years for things to settle back. But I don't doubt that they will.

I think it's pretty indisputable that the salary cap leveled the playing field significantly. No system is perfect, but the cap basically saved the Canadian teams not playing in Toronto.

I 100% agree about the salary cap.

I also don't think we need to go to the extreme and not draft American players. Some guys will stay, others will go. Everyone is different on what they want and when they want it.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I 100% agree about the salary cap.

I also don't think we need to go to the extreme and not draft American players. Some guys will stay, others will go. Everyone is different on what they want and when they want it.

Exactly. Draft and develop good players. If they don't want to stay into UFA years, that is manageable. I mean, all else equal, you can prefer non-Americans. But you can't forego talent by avoiding them at all costs.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I 100% agree about the salary cap.

I also don't think we need to go to the extreme and not draft American players. Some guys will stay, others will go. Everyone is different on what they want and when they want it.

Heck, a lot of Europeans, especially Russians, seem to want the big US cities as well.

The key to keeping guys here is to tie them to Calgary girls like they did with Stone.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Heck, a lot of Europeans, especially Russians, seem to want the big US cities as well.

The key to keeping guys here is to tie them to Calgary girls like they did with Stone.

Yeah Russians are almost more risky than Americans when it comes to choosing the US over Canada. It seems like few of them want to play in Canada if they can help it.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Heck, a lot of Europeans, especially Russians, seem to want the big US cities as well.

The key to keeping guys here is to tie them to Calgary girls like they did with Stone.

The California teams, Florida teams, NY teams and Vegas will always have an advantage for sure. But there is also guys that I know who don't want to play in California because they're terrified of being there if an earthquake happens. Or not wanting to play in NY or other major US cities due to worries of gun violence/terrorist attacks. Everyone is different.

Calgary attracts vets with families cause they think it's a good place to raise their children.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The younger UFA age is becoming a great equalizer for the players that they got for the lower cap. Realistically teams are getting 5 years of NHL service on a lot of players until they can pick where they play. Putting guys in the AHL to develop is almost a hindrance because you burn service time to develop a guy who gives you less NHL service. A team like Calgary is going to need to innovate where they spend money to build a better team. No one in Canada seems to be figuring it out as the Canadian based teams outside of Montreals fluke run are getting further from being cup winners than closer. Vancouver in 2011 was the last Canadian based team who got there with a team that could have won. That's 12 years ago now.

I think Canadian teams need to start playing hardball more.

A really good player that can step in right after being drafted and can be a UFA by 25, and most others by the age of 27. This means that teams can put themselves in a position where they are acting as a farm for other teams by developing players and then losing them right when they hit their prime.

Canadian teams need to start negotiating harder to buy UFA years from players they develop and not just give in with bridge contracts that walk them to early UFA status. If that means that the players hold out for a season, then you have to do it. Call their bluff and see if they are really willing to lose a whole season of peak career earnings just so they get to wear flip-flops to the arena in winter.

Contract holdouts used to be relatively common before the cap era, but since then, teams have gotten soft.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah Russians are almost more risky than Americans when it comes to choosing the US over Canada. It seems like few of them want to play in Canada if they can help it.

Zadorov chose Calgary, and rumours are that Tarasenko wants to play in Ottawa.

Almost all of the top 20 Russians are playing on the team they were drafted by. It just so happens most of them were drafted by American teams. In cases where they arent, it's guys who came over undrafted and chose a contender (which is almost always an American team) or were traded to another American team.

It seems coincidental mostly.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Zadorov chose Calgary, and rumours are that Tarasenko wants to play in Ottawa.

Almost all of the top 20 Russians are playing on the team they were drafted by. It just so happens most of them were drafted by American teams. In cases where they arent, it's guys who came over undrafted and chose a contender (which is almost always an American team) or were traded to another American team.

It seems coincidental mostly.

Kuznetsov is a Russian born player who seems to be happy to be in Calgary as well.

[dino7c]

-31

sAMe aS lInDhOLM

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by boogerz

At least Ottawa got a first and a decent prospect for a guy that handcuffed them

They just paid 7th overall plus for him

[Paulie Walnuts]

Sounds like he had no desire to stay in Ottawa beyond last year at all.

What a stupid trade by Dorion.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

-31

sAMe aS lInDhOLM

Undersized winger who has 9 playoff games on his resume thanks to the bubble adding 4 extra teams and the lucky playin round...vs a Center who plays all situations. Very comparable....

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

I've talked to a few players I know who are currently playing in the NHL. All of them mentioned COVID is still fresh in the minds of the players. The bubble season was rough for a lot of the American guys being locked down and not having family with them. And while they couldn't really do much in Canada, their family and friends in the states were able to enjoy themselves much more. The players don't disagree with how COVID restrictions were managed in Canada, but they would rather be in their own country if it went down again. I think it might take 5 or more years of normal life again before most American born players want to sign long term in Canada.

The NBA did a bubble in the US and it was basically the same thing as the NHL. Most American NHL players are from states that weren't anymore open or closed than Canada - (Minnesota, Michigan, New York and Massachusetts are the main sources of American NHL players).

That said - I do understand the appeal of being in your own country.

But really - Calgary and Ottawa are both teams looking for new arenas. For Calgary its because their arena is old and outdated. For Ottawa its because their arena is miles away from the 'interesting' parts of the city.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They just paid 7th overall plus for him

We just traded a 1st rounder, a #43 overall pick, a fifth rounder and a scrub to get a player that we turned around and traded 16 months for a 3rd rounder and a 30-45 point guy.

The Sens traded a 7th overall and a 39th overall pick and a 3rd round pick for a guy that they traded 12 months later for a 1st, a 4th, a #63 pick and a 30-45 point guy.

These trades that look brutal can happen to any team.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

We just traded a 1st rounder, a #43 overall pick, a fifth rounder and a scrub to get a player that we turned around and traded 16 months for a 3rd rounder and a 30-45 point guy.

The Sens traded a 7th overall and a 39th overall pick and a 3rd round pick for a guy that they traded 12 months later for a 1st, a 4th, a #63 pick and a 30-45 point guy.

These trades that look brutal can happen to any team.

Flames didn't trade a top 10 pick and were first in their division at the time vs. a non playoff team but same same

Lol CP in the summer

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

We just traded a 1st rounder, a #43 overall pick, a fifth rounder and a scrub to get a player that we turned around and traded 16 months for a 3rd rounder and a 30-45 point guy.

The Sens traded a 7th overall and a 39th overall pick and a 3rd round pick for a guy that they traded 12 months later for a 1st, a 4th, a #63 pick and a 30-45 point guy.

These trades that look brutal can happen to any team.

Toffoli is historically a 30-45 point guy as well, so the Flames basically got a younger version of him. Last season was an anomaly. Sens traded high end futures on a player that wasn't likely to re-sign with them.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Toffoli is historically a 30-45 point guy as well, so the Flames basically got a younger version of him. Last season was an anomaly. Sens traded high end futures on a player that wasn't likely to re-sign with them.

Why say Toffoli is a 30-45 point guy when he has been a 65 point guy per 82 games played over the past 3 seasons. Why not make him a 20-30 point a year guy, that makes it look even better.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Or why not use his actual career stats and say he is a 52 point player per 82 games played.