[CP Story] RFArmageddon

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by blender

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been covered.
Has anyone added up all the cap space available league-wide and compared it to a reasonable estimate of what all these unsigned players are going to cost?

In another thread someone suggested there simply wasn't enough cap space league-wide. Is this the case, and if so have the GMs mismanaged themselves and the league into a corner whereby there are good players unable to play?

Could it lead to a compliance buyout window or some sort of intervention?

Just thinking out loud, but seems like there is a fundamental problem developing.

It is not as simple as adding up the currently unaccounted cap space, because the cap and roster situation for every team is different. Some teams's cap-hits presently account for 25 players, while others have signed only 20. By opening night, every roster will be pared up or down to 22- or 23-players. A lot of players that are presently on rosters now and occupying cap space will be demoted by opening night. I.e., one of Washington's 14 forwards will not be on the opening night roster; the same holds for Montreal, who will also dispatch one of their eight defensemen.

In other words, the solution to this problem is the same as it always was: as a smaller pool of elite players continue to take more of the players's 50% revenue split, rosters will continue to compensate by saving money at the bottom end. This once meant min. salary contracts for the bottom line/bottom pairing, but will likely expand to include third line forwards and second pairing defensemen making less and less.

[blender]

^ Understood that there are some variables at play, but the players being demoted or waived aren't going to account for big cap hits. I'm curious if there are going to be players not able to play this season due to a lack of cap space.

Bingo's analysis highlighted the concerns for individual players and teams, but I am considering the impact league wide including UFA's who might be in the most tenuous position of any player.

Is the current salary structure broken vis-à-vis the salary cap?

[Itse]

It does seem like there's basically a league-wide cap crunch, now that the cap was lower than expected, but saying the situation is broken would be an exaggeration.

It's the first time this has really happened, and while it does seem like some players might be left without contracts that would normally get signed, it doesn't seem to be anything too dramatic. Good GMs will adjust so they'll be better prepared in the future.

A few more guys might go to Europe, and there might be unusually good depth options available to replace mid-season injuries.

[Textcritic]

An interesting wrinkle to this has been provided by Elliotte Friedman on the radio just now: if another team offer-sheets a player during the season, and the rights-holding team matches, the cap hit for the rights-holding team would NOT be prorated.

So, if it's October 13 and Tkachuk signs a 5 x $8.2 m offer sheet that Calgary matches, his cap hit for 2019–20 would remain @ $8.2 m.

[jlh2640]

We need to get him signed

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Why is Tkachuk getting as much as Aho? (Who got offersheeted i might add)

Because he flat out deserves it.

Tkachuk is an elite defensive and high end offensive player. He's Brad Marchand or Patrice Bergeron on the wing levels of good, and he's still only 21.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Because he flat out deserves it.

Tkachuk is an elite defensive and high end offensive player. He's Brad Marchand or Patrice Bergeron on the wing levels of good, and he's still only 21.

Wow. Has Tkachuk’s defensive game really rounded out in the summer?

All situations - PKing now?

Marchand had 100 points to Tkachuk’s 77.

Tkachuk had 1 assist and was -5 in his last 4 playoff games. Marchand had 23 points in 24 playoff games.

Bergeron outscored Tkachuk but only played 65 games. He also was playing at a 100 point pace, and is arguably the best defensive centre in the game. That’s what his trophy case says.

Tkachuk will be a beauty but Marchand was the far better player last year. Also Bergeron. By far.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Wow. Has Tkachuk’s defensive game really rounded out in the summer?

All situations - PKing now?

Marchand had 100 points to Tkachuk’s 77.

Tkachuk had 1 assist and was -5 in his last 4 playoff games. Marchand had 23 points in 24 playoff games.

Tkachuk will be a beauty but Marchand was the far better player last year.

Tkachuk also played with Backlund and Frolik during 5v5 play, whereas Marchand played with Bergeron and Pastrnak.

If Tkachuk plays with Monahan and Johnny for most of the year? We'll see.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Because he flat out deserves it.

Tkachuk is an elite defensive and high end offensive player. He's Brad Marchand or Patrice Bergeron on the wing levels of good, and he's still only 21.

Hahaha! No.

Tkachuk is a high end offensive talent, and he plays with one of the best defensive centres in the NHL, but it is a huge exaggeration to describe his own defensive abilities as "elite." Maybe he gets there one day, but as of now he most definitely is not.

Tkachuk spent a grand total of 2:56 on the penalty kill in 80 games. He ranked behind twelve other forwards in SH ice time.

[gt4flames]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

Wow. Has Tkachuk’s defensive game really rounded out in the summer?

All situations - PKing now?

Marchand had 100 points to Tkachuk’s 77.

Tkachuk had 1 assist and was -5 in his last 4 playoff games. Marchand had 23 points in 24 playoff games.

Bergeron outscored Tkachuk but only played 65 games. He also was playing at a 100 point pace, and is arguably the best defensive centre in the game. That’s what his trophy case says.

Tkachuk will be a beauty but Marchand was the far better player last year. Also Bergeron. By far.

Seeing as hes only 21, he is the lite verson of both in me eyes. The kid is only getting better with age. I see a slight regression in points this year but only a slight speedbump on the road to being marchand 2.0/Burgeron 1.5.

[dino7c]

And what was Marchand doing at 21?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Tkachuk also played with Backlund and Frolik during 5v5 play, whereas Marchand played with Bergeron and Pastrnak.

If Tkachuk plays with Monahan and Johnny for most of the year? We'll see.

He played PP with 4 rock stars all year, and Backlund as his C is no slouch. Even Keith spoke really highly of him. He does a ton of heavy lifting defensively that actually makes a lot of what Matt accomplished at even strength possible

Look, I think Tkachuk is really good. But he has to take another step to reach the level of the guys you are talking about

[neo45]

You don’t need to play PK to be an elite defensive player. Even the example YOU provided with Backlund proves this. He was the fifth PK forward so he only got time on extended PKs or if Jankowski, Ryan, Hathaway, and Lindholm were in the box

He probably doesn’t PK because less important players can do it and you want to save him for power play and very tough 5v5 matchups

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dino7c

And what was Marchand doing at 21?

He had a different career arc. Why don’t we start with his draft position?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Hahaha! No.

Tkachuk is a high end offensive talent, and he plays with one of the best defensive centres in the NHL, but it is a huge exaggeration to describe his own defensive abilities as "elite." Maybe he gets there one day, but as of now he most definitely is not.

Tkachuk spent a grand total of 2:56 on the penalty kill in 80 games. He ranked behind twelve other forwards in SH ice time.

Yeah, among forwards, Tkachuk is middle of the pack defensively on this team (and probably the league). I'd say Backlund, Lindholm, Ryan, Frolik, and maybe even Monahan, Bennett and Jankowski are ahead of him defensively. Dube might even be, but the sample is too small.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

He had a different career arc. Why don’t we start with his draft position?

Why don't we just stop with irrelevant comparisons all together

[neo45]

It’s cringe worthy how the narrative changes on here towards players when they are in negotiations

Tkachuck worse defensively than Dube? Dumbest thing I’ve read on here in awhile and this is the place that thought Lucic and 8th overall wasn’t enough for James Neal

Dube played against the weakest competition, with the easiest zone starts, AMONGST ALL PLAYERS ON THE TEAM, and his results at the NHL level were really bad. (I like the prospect but he was a disaster at the NHL level last year)

Tkachuk was the best possession forward and regularly played the toughest minutes against the other team’s best lines

Middle of the pack defensively? I bet people will want Selke votes for him once he signs

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by neo45

You don’t need to play PK to be an elite defensive player. Even the example YOU provided with Backlund proves this. He was the fifth PK forward so he only got time on extended PKs or if Jankowski, Ryan, Hathaway, and Lindholm were in the box...

Do you believe that Tkachuk is an elite defensive player?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by neo45

It’s cringe worthy how the narrative changes on here towards players when they are in negotiations

Tkachuck worse defensively than Dube? Dumbest thing I’ve read on here in awhile and this is the place that thought Lucic and 8th overall wasn’t enough for James Neal

Dube played against the weakest competition, with the easiest zone starts, AMONGST ALL PLAYERS ON THE TEAM, and his results at the NHL level were really bad. (I like the prospect but he was a disaster at the NHL level last year)

Tkachuk was the best possession forward and regularly played the toughest minutes against the other team’s best lines

Middle of the pack defensively? I bet people will want Selke votes for him once he signs

Dube was a raw rookie. Tkachuk isn't. Dube played with lesser forwards defensively. Tkachuk regularly played with two of the best, give or take Lindholm. Check Dube's history. On Team Canada, who was given the defensive assignments, both years he played World Jr. Dube may well turn out to be a better defensive player than Tkachuk, mainly because he has wheels that Tkachuk doesn't. Also because he's trained at centre and those guys are usually better at defensive play.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Why don't we just stop with irrelevant comparisons all together

Like Tkachuk to 100 point guys?