Jeremy Laura: Seider’s buddy just got PAID, what it may mean for Detroit

That cap hit percentage is more than Malkin got for PIT in his prime. I'd probably want it a little lower, but ultimately they have to extend him. The contract will probably be bad value halfway through, but no one will care if they win a SC before then.

That cap hit percentage is more than Malkin got for PIT in his prime. I'd probably want it a little lower, but ultimately they have to extend him. The contract will probably be bad value halfway through, but no one will care if they win a SC before then.
- jfkst1

That’s a discussion I’m having offline right now. It doesn’t hit until next year, so this year is big in EDM. If the cap doesn’t escalate accordingly you have the CBA expiration staring at you. They got to the dance but these deals could cause some brutal decisions if the projections don’t hold. This has to be a big year across many fronts for some of these upcoming deals. Malkin in his prime, man. I think that’s what gets lost. You need high level players across the spectrum. Agents want their clients to get paid, full marks for that. Teams need some flexibility down the line. You don’t want to be one or two injuries away from a really bad result

That’s a discussion I’m having offline right now. It doesn’t hit until next year, so this year is big in EDM. If the cap doesn’t escalate accordingly you have the CBA expiration staring at you. They got to the dance but these deals could cause some brutal decisions if the projections don’t hold. This has to be a big year across many fronts for some of these upcoming deals. Malkin in his prime, man. I think that’s what gets lost. You need high level players across the spectrum. Agents want their clients to get paid, full marks for that. Teams need some flexibility down the line. You don’t want to be one or two injuries away from a really bad result
- Jeremy Laura

I have this argument with fellow PIT fans all the time as we have seen almost nothing but all time greats (Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, Coffey, etc.) associated with SCs. So most of them can't even grasp a team not being competitive without an all time great player on roster even though most SC winners don't actually have a top all time player. Which is why many push back on a rebuild because "we won't get another Crosby." Well, probably not, BUT one all time great doesn't make for a successful NHL team either.

I have this argument with fellow PIT fans all the time as we have seen almost nothing but all time greats (Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby, Coffey, etc.) associated with SCs. So most of them can't even grasp a team not being competitive without an all time great player on roster even though most SC winners don't actually have a top all time player. Which is why many push back on a rebuild because "we won't get another Crosby." Well, probably not, BUT one all time great doesn't make for a successful NHL team either.
- jfkst1

I think Florida and Vegas showed that you can build outside of the draft as well. Build a great culture and get your ducks in a row so you can get a missing piece as a free agent or trade. Pitt had some beauties, and Super Mario’s GPG is a bit insane. A longer career and wow. If Jagr had stayed in the U.S., he may be on top of the goal scoring board. There may never be another Crosby/Malkin combo. Sid obsessed about his game and even with the long past rivalry it would be stupid not to tip my hat at what he became over 200 feet. Now we have kids that can get a puck through a keyhole (hyperbole of course) but have to learn those other parts.

Interesting for future discussion. Calgary doing some shopping around per the 4th period:

After selling off a good chunk of their core over the last 12 months, the Flames are still fully in retool mode. General manager Craig Conroy continues to listen to trade inquiries regarding defensemen Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar, as well as center Nazem Kadri, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.

Matthews cap hit was 15%.

Draisaitl is 15.9%.

So not much of a difference. If the cap rises to $93M, then Draisaitl is also at 15%.

But the biggest difference is term. Matthews will be UFA at age 30 and could get another monster 5-6-7 year deal. Draisaitl is signed to 37 so this is basically it for him. If Matthewshad gone 8 years his cap allocation would have been higher than 15%. Leafs would have loved the current $13.25M for ages 30-34. If Matthews went 8 years that number would probably be $14-15M.

Matthews cap hit was 15%.

Draisaitl is 15.9%.

So not much of a difference. If the cap rises to $93M, then Draisaitl is also at 15%.

But the biggest difference is term. Matthews will be UFA at age 30 and could get another monster 5-6-7 year deal. Draisaitl is signed to 37 so this is basically it for him. If Matthewshad gone 8 years his cap allocation would have been higher than 15%. Leafs would have loved the current $13.25M for ages 30-34. If Matthews went 8 years that number would probably be $14-15M.
- HockeyBuzzed

There’s not much difference, but it was surprising to see a higher AAV for Draisaitl. It adds some intrigue to CMD. The assumption of cap rise will play out right as the CBA expires. If there’s a step backward, the league and players have voted down the minimum raise in the current CBA. That’s where these deals could be problematic but the agents are clearly pushing the optimistic side of cap rise and lowering %

Update on Draisaitl’s deal:

1:09 p.m.: A whopping $104MM of Draisaitl’s $112MM total compensation will be paid via signing bonuses, PuckPedia reports. His base salary will be $1MM per season. He’ll earn $15.5MM in signing bonuses annually from 2025-26 through 2027-28. That figure drops to $13MM in 2028-29, then $11.5MM in 2029-30, then $11MM annually for the final three years of the deal.

Taxes/fees aside, what must it be like to see a deposit for those bonuses? Well done sir. On a point made by HB earlier, Matthews has managed to stay below max term on his two post ELC deals. One of the smartest business minds of this generation (possibly good think tank around him as well) to cash in as many times as he will. No hate in that game. If revenues do keep up he’s made life better for upcoming free agents

So much for fantasizing about him being a Wing!

So much for fantasizing about him being a Wing!
- NC_Scott

I don’t think you let that guy go. He and CMD are just incredible to watch. I feel like they’re the successor of Malkin/Crosby. Draisaitl is just a beast.

I don’t think you let that guy go. He and CMD are just incredible to watch. I feel like they’re the successor of Malkin/Crosby. Draisaitl is just a beast.
- Jeremy Laura

Bouchard may be the odd man out.........seems like he may be worth nearly $10M if he has another season like last season.

Bouchard may be the odd man out.........seems like he may be worth nearly $10M if he has another season like last season.
- HenryHockey

He really came alive. That was the Dman I wanted in 2018. I underestimated Hughes and was stuck on the “big right shot” Dman. Bouchard ended up breaking a playoff record held by Paul Coffey if I’m not mistaken. Impressive, can likely write his own ticket and EDM will have some decisions to make. Good problem to have, we’ll see how it pans out.

He really came alive. That was the Dman I wanted in 2018. I underestimated Hughes and was stuck on the “big right shot” Dman. Bouchard ended up breaking a playoff record held by Paul Coffey if I’m not mistaken. Impressive, can likely write his own ticket and EDM will have some decisions to make. Good problem to have, we’ll see how it pans out.
- Jeremy Laura

Dunno how they are going to fit Bouchard’s $10M next year. That would put them about $88M with 5 more to sign. And will the cap get to $93M?

Dunno how they are going to fit Bouchard’s $10M next year. That would put them about $88M with 5 more to sign. And will the cap get to $93M?
- HenryHockey

Those are the questions. You also have the CBA expiring. The team would probably move personnel out and replace with more affordable options if it came to it and Bouchard had a strong year