2015-2016 NHL Thread

[bustaheims]

Are expansion fees HRR?

Nope, which has prompted some of the conspiracy buffs/PA backers in the media to speculate the BoG will take the money to use as a war-chest to use during what they feel is another inevitable lockout.

 

[Peter D.]

In addition to the issues Nik points out, the BoG will undoubted be very concerned about the viability of these teams. They have to consider what sort of impact that the potential for these teams to need to revenue sharing handouts could dig into their bottom line, and I also imagine they're very wary of any new team becoming a Phoenix/Florida/Atlanta type situation that could leave the league with another potential revenue blackhole/albatross to deal with. It's easy to say "there's no way these guys will turn down a billion dollars," but, really, it's actually $33.3M per team. Despite some of the tactics they've chosen with their hockey teams, most of the owners have pretty solid business acumens and can look past the initial windfall to see the bigger picture - and there's a very real chance they won't like what they see.

Yes, I know it's only $33.3 M per team.  But that's what I mean -- that's a big chunk of change upfront for owners that are bleeding money. 

Now, if they are approaching it from the respect that Nik points out, that's valid.  However, if that's the case, I don't see why they would only expand by one team to Vegas as was suggested (they should just take a pass on both).  Besides wondering whether Vegas will truly be a viable market long-term (I have my doubts), I just don't see a team in Vegas moving the needle by much on the next U.S. TV deal in 2021.

 

[bustaheims]

Yes, I know it's only $33.3 M per team.  But that's what I mean -- that's a big chunk of change upfront for owners that are bleeding money. 

On the surface, sure, but once you take into account the ways it takes revenues away from those teams, it becomes much less appealing. The owners that are bleeding money are, for the most part, still doing pretty well from their business interests outside of hockey. They're going to recognize the expansion money as being like trying to use a plastic bag and duct tape to keep a pipe from bursting. It might help for a little while, but it's not going to do them much good overall.

 

[Kin]

Now, if they are approaching it from the respect that Nik points out, that's valid.  However, if that's the case, I don't see why they would only expand by one team to Vegas as was suggested (they should just take a pass on both).  Besides wondering whether Vegas will truly be a viable market long-term (I have my doubts), I just don't see a team in Vegas moving the needle by much on the next U.S. TV deal in 2021.

But that's why, as Busta correctly pointed out, not expanding at all is a very viable option.

Clearly the league is going to look into Vegas and probably won't expand there unless they're relatively comfortable it'll be a viable market. If they're convinced it is then even if the expansion isn't a huge deal per team, why would you turn down millions of dollars if there was very little downside?

To some extent that's true of Quebec as well but there are quite a few things that are true in Vegas that aren't in Quebec regardless of the viability of the market. Vegas is in the west, which will help balance out the conferences. The weakness of the Canadian dollar doesn't matter. It doesn't encroach on any other team's fanbase/territory. Vegas makes sense in a bunch of ways Quebec doesn't.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

It looks like Daniel Sprong may have turned a great training camp into at least a 9-game regular season stint with the Penguins this season.

 

[Bender]

It looks like Daniel Sprong may have turned a great training camp into at least a 9-game regular season stint with the Penguins this season.

What are his stats?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

What are his stats?

Just 3 points in 5 games. But that would suggest that his overall play has been pretty good since he's not being kept up just because he's lighting things up. I'd be a little surprised if they kept him beyond 9 games but still a very great start to his NHL career regardless. Especially since the draft sure didn't go his way.

 

[Kin]

Ten bucks says that by mid-December the Penguins have benched Fleury in order to play six skaters all the time.

 

[Peter D.]

It's being speculated that Luke Schenn may be placed on waivers by Tuesday:

https://twitter.com/tpanotchCSN/status/650365800969166848

 

[Bullfrog]

Damn.

And JvR might hit 30 goals again this year.

I'm assuming it's mostly his skating that's killing him?

 

[hockeyfan1]

Looks like the Sharks' Raffi Torres (yes, him again) is due for a hearing beforethe Player Safety committee to determine what disciplinary charges, if any, will be meted out.

Torres head shot on the Ducks Jakob Silvferberg earned him a match penatty in this pre-Season game between San Jose & Anaheim.

When will this guy ever learn??!!

[youtube]UYvs55PBFqE[/youtube]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=781641&navid=nhl:topheads

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I thought initial point of contact was the shoulder, it's the momentum that takes him through and catches the head.

Still, a defenceless opponent I suppose.

 

[hockeyfan1]

I thought initial point of contact was the shoulder, it's the momentum that takes him through and catches the head.

Still, a defenceless opponent I suppose.

You are probably right.  Still, it's Raffi Torres and the latest stat added to his list.  Knowing a guy like Torres whose been known as a 'head shot' artist, one just can't trust him to hit someone else on or near the shoulders, because inevitably it'll be the head.

 

[Leafaholic99]

I thought initial point of contact was the shoulder, it's the momentum that takes him through and catches the head.

Still, a defenceless opponent I suppose.

You are probably right.  Still, it's Raffi Torres and the latest stat added to his list.  Knowing a guy like Torres whose been known as a 'head shot' artist, one just can't trust him to hit someone else on or near the shoulders, because inevitably it'll be the head.

Also the fact that he came charging across the ice locked in on him, shows he meant to hit him hard at the least, most likely he was trying to hurt him.

 

[Frank E]

Draisaitl sent down to the 'A', Reinhart seems to have made the Oilers to start the season.  Apparently not enough cap room for both due to bonuses. 

I guess Nurse didn't make it either.

I think the Oilers might be a playoff team.

 

[Kin]

Draisaitl sent down to the 'A', Reinhart seems to have made the Oilers to start the season.  Apparently not enough cap room for both due to bonuses. 

I guess Nurse didn't make it either.

I think the Oilers might be a playoff team.

I wouldn't rule it out but that would be a very interesting group of defensemen and goaltenders to get into the playoffs.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Draisaitl sent down to the 'A', Reinhart seems to have made the Oilers to start the season.  Apparently not enough cap room for both due to bonuses. 

I guess Nurse didn't make it either.

I think the Oilers might be a playoff team.

Sekera Fayne
Klefbom Schultz
Reinhart Gryba

Talbot
Nilsson

... isn't a very good back-end.

 

[Frank E]

You guys are probably right about the defense...I kept thinking that Gardiner would be a fit there, but there would obviously have to be some salary coming back though.

EDIT:  Does Purcell suck? 34points for $4.5mil.

 

[Kin]

You guys are probably right about the defense...I kept thinking that Gardiner would be a fit there, but there would obviously have to be some salary coming back though.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. Gardiner isn't overpaid.

 

[Frank E]

You guys are probably right about the defense...I kept thinking that Gardiner would be a fit there, but there would obviously have to be some salary coming back though.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. Gardiner isn't overpaid.

I just meant to fit him under their cap, as they seem to be pretty tight.