IKnowPhysics

One of the best shows on TV.

@Eleven: PA hijacked your account.

Jack Eichel will be fine.

With the NHL, it's always money. Always. The NHL probably puts out an RFP for jersey manufacturers (previously CCM, then Reebok (who bought CCM), now Adidas) for the official apparel licensing. In order to reduce manufacturing costs, the companies probably say they'll provide consultants to the help teams design "what looks good" but the consultants also probably guide design features towards those that are the most economical/profitable to manufacture (in addition to what's feasible). That ability to drive designs towards profitability lets the companies decrease their costs and/or increase revenue to the league. They also probably limit jersey changes to ensure that tooling costs are cheaper and less apparel becomes obsolete and needs to be taken off the shelves.

It means I couldn't give a ***** if the goaltending coach gets a chance to fix anything as long as we win and we're not somehow locked into salary cap hell.

Team needs wins, goalie coach chances are incidental. Yeah, the cap has to be managed, but team needs wins.

There's always somebody dumb enough to bite on a cheapish backup goalie under age 30.

If we sign Bales, I could also see us grabbing Mrazek in UFA.

It's interesting that Bales could simply exit his contract with one team to immediately join another team. I'm sure we offered more money, and he was familiar with the GM and the area, but interesting nonetheless. Contract may have had out clauses or at least little to no exit penalty clauses. I mean, we just stole a coach to an identical position.

Also

Yep. With streaming content pillaging ad revenue for scripted television, live sports broadcasts are one the last tentpoles of commercial network broadcast television. The networks will compete for exclusivity, and they will pay handsomely.

Couple thoughts: 1) I could look it up, but I can't quite remember who we traded for Skinner. That's fantastic when talking about the acquisition on a 40 goal scorer. 2) The money and years are just fine. He's proven his production. He's proven he makes our captain better and our first line excellent, even against good competition. 2a) When the new TV contract comes in (now with $eattle tv rights) and the new CBA is signed, I think the cap will go up, and this deal will get cheaper. And if for some reason I'm dead wrong and the cap goes drastically down, the NHL will enable new buyout options. 3) I don't like the NMC going the full eight years. Two or four would have been fine. But I think Jeff is one the most seriously competitive-minded players on the team- he'll reasonably agree to move on if he's shown a better opportunity. But that's not always in the best interest of the team. 4) We now know who the 1LW is for at least four years. No one currently in the pipeline comes close. 5) If this signing wasn't complete and Jeff walked, there was no way next year's team would not have been BRUTAL. So we avoided that certainty, which is nice.

Indubitably.

Even if it's limited or full NMC for 2-4 years of that, I'm still ok.

I try not to underestimate how ***** dumb other teams are. Especially when it comes to UFA top-end talent that's available for no returned assets. But option #2 is reasonable. While front-loaded, it meets the salary variability rules. I think it's reasonable for both sides to commit to four years in a contract of this magnitude, then open up options after year four (at age 31).

We once, cloak and dagger style, smuggled a human being away from Soviet authorities and, with the right center, he became our best single season scoring player of all time. It is part of our heritage to be bold in the pursuit of greatness.

Solid take.

We don't really need to care much about coaching salary, but this was interesting. Seems like a bargain.

Baro Bujisoto of the Okinawa Claymores Or, and hear me out: Munchma Quchi of the Dubai Scimitars

Bad methodology is bad.

As mentioned in the Around the League thread: Was Botterill interested in interviewing Tippett? Did Botterill get an opportunity to interview Tippett? Did Botterill come to the conclusion that Krueger was a better candidate than Tippett? Did Botterill make an offer to Tippett? Doesn't matter now, but that's never stopped us before. Discuss.

Tage is not a good enough skater, especially considering the specialization of skating and positioning required at high levels of hockey. Defensemen take years to develop properly, and he is too far along to develop to a competent defensive player within his ELC.

Good interview.