2026 NHL UFA/Trade Thread
- Thread starter Sal_Butera
- Start date
I doubt that Hage was involved.
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
I don’t think Larkin will move anytime soon unless he expands his list.
Habsy
Just Walking About Aimlessly
Next CBA needs a total overhaul
This new reality of " me want my fair market money " doesnt work if you want a competitive team
You need team flexibility and impossible in a hard cap where half your roster has a trade clause and 7-8 term deals
A good team trying to ink a superstar and 3-4 very good players eat 60-70% of your cap if , " me want market value"
CBA needs shorter deals , increase ELC to 4 years , modify trade clauses and buyouts at 1/3 for everyone
At some point we will see opt outs in contracts
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
Cap and salaries were artificially constrained due to Covid and what we’re seeing now is a whipsaw effect of an upwards correction. If there had been no Covid, we would likely be in the same spot after a smoother, gradual increase and no one would be saying anything.
As far as no trade clauses are concerned, I see Rolex’s point. Players could send informal signals (e.g. late for team meetings, etc) all while maintaining plausible deniability re: a formal trade request.
Anyway, the salary %s right now are limited by the CBA, so there’s no real difference from past years. And if teams want to be top heavy or give out poor value contracts, that’s on them. Always has been.
As far as no trade clauses are concerned, I see Rolex’s point. Players could send informal signals (e.g. late for team meetings, etc) all while maintaining plausible deniability re: a formal trade request.
Anyway, the salary %s right now are limited by the CBA, so there’s no real difference from past years. And if teams want to be top heavy or give out poor value contracts, that’s on them. Always has been.
There is a big difference years ago you can keep 4-6 players in the fold when nobody got 20% of the cap
Now 5-6 solid players on your team half your roster is on ELC type money
TB couldnt keep Point, Hedman, Guenzal, Vasi, Hagel and Kuch in their prime if all are due " me want market value " .
lecoqsportif
Well-known member
But they did keep them. They made the call on Stamkos. Ballsy management.
CAR and FLA have done a masterful job. And now, increasingly, Hugo. Looks like WSH is smart too. Maybe others.
Is it the CBA or management competence? Case in point, apparently Carlsson would have signed for 10.5 last year if it had been offered. But Verbeek plays the hard man, lets it slide to offer sheet status and gets burned. That’s on him. Brière’s offer reflects the very short supply of top notch young Cs, which it seems at least Mike Grier understands.
Verbeek should be canned, frankly.
CAR and FLA have done a masterful job. And now, increasingly, Hugo. Looks like WSH is smart too. Maybe others.
Is it the CBA or management competence? Case in point, apparently Carlsson would have signed for 10.5 last year if it had been offered. But Verbeek plays the hard man, lets it slide to offer sheet status and gets burned. That’s on him. Brière’s offer reflects the very short supply of top notch young Cs, which it seems at least Mike Grier understands.
Verbeek should be canned, frankly.
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They did keep them but not happening in this new world where 8-9 % is now 14 % of the cap
Cap management is very important but team friendly deals are no longer and you cant slot 5-6 top end guys on your roster
No it doesn't. If teams don't want this issue, don't hand them out. It shouldn't be on the players because the owners cannot control themselves.
CH1
The Artist Formerly Known as chiggins.
It turns out one of the cheat codes is pretty easy — lock up your best talent as early as possible.
Yep, you can't be afraid of getting it wrong. Of course, you gotta do all your homework and make your best guess... but once you identify which players you trust to be good... lock them the fuck up.
It also helps when you foster a culture that has players wanting to leave some meat on the bone for the team to bring in more talent.
You rarely get this wrong going this way and they are locked up for their entire prime
Yutes have no trade protection and are easily moveable for a good haul even if limited progress is made like MacTavish of the Ducks