2025-26 NHL Miscellaneous Thread
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Not that I care that the Panthers are in a bind, but there’s no simple way out of the Cap situation. Even if you presume that Barkov is done for the year (fairly safe, but … ) they’re $8 million and change over the Cap right now. Apparently they’re doing the lesser LTIR relief on Barkov, Jones, Nosek and Kulikov to get there. Nosek and Kulikov combine for close to $2 million so they’re basically irrelevant, but the second either of those other two can play, then they need them on the active roster … either in the playoffs or before, since it’s no sure thing they even make the playoffs at this point. That math just flat out doesn’t math. Even converting Barkov to full LTIR (and writing him off for the playoffs in the process), they still wouldn’t have enough room for Jones. And their D doesn’t really work without Jones eating huge minutes.
The AHL and PHPA have reached agreement on a new CBA that runs until August 31, 2030. The old agreement expired in August but the sides kept the provisions in place without a work stoppage.
The CBAs for the NHL, AHL and ECHL all expire after the 2029-30 season.
www.flohockey.tv
The CBAs for the NHL, AHL and ECHL all expire after the 2029-30 season.
AHL And PHPA Announce New Collective Bargaining Agreement - FloHockey
The AHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced a new five-year collective bargaining agreement Wednesday morning.
Anaheim dman Jackson LaCombe ahas been named to the US Olympic hockey team, replacing Seth Jones. It’s speculated that, since LaCombe played at the World Championships last year and neither Lane Hutson or Adam Fox did, that’s why he got the call. And Fox might not be available anyway.
Interesting. I like LaCombe a lot, and he plays a more rounded 3 zone game than Hutson. It makes no sense to call up Fox since chances are good that he’s not going to be healthy and in form anyway. They’re darned lucky that Slavin is starting to round into form as it is. I assumed Hutson would be next, but in retrospect that was probably because of the media crows chattering about him more than anything else. For my money, LaCombe makes more sense and it’s not like Hutson was going to get any power play time with Hughes and Werenski on the roster … although I’m sure the Montreal fans on the forum will tell me I’m wrong. Which is fine. I’m often wrong.
CanadaCanes
Well-known member
If Seth Jones continues to be out long term that certainly doesn’t help the Panthers playoff chasing chances…hate to see it!
Eric Stratton
Active member
Why not Hudson?
It helps them with their Cap problems though. If Jones really is going to be out long term then they can defer whatever nonsense they’re going to have to pull to get Cap compliant later on.
If you’re referring to the US Olympic roster, you can see my thoughts above.
Basically, LaCombe is a quality all arounder while Hutson is a puck carrying, offense-first guy who is unlikely to see any power play time ahead of the more established options in Hughes and Werenski. If Fox was healthy, then it would have/should have been him to replace Jones, but he’s not so they went with the next similar guy in LaCombe. I’m guessing that if Werenski or Hughes were out, then they’d have looked at Hutson as a replacement.
Eric Stratton
Active member
What is your take on Nikishin's development? I am too jaded to make an honest assessment because I just think the Canes need more physical players for playoff success. On a tangent. How do you Tulsky feel about losing Necas and Colorado handing him the bag. Is it as simple as Elhers is better two way fit, cheaper even if slightly less dynamic? I always appreciate your insight.
I like where Nikishin is headed, but he’s clearly hit the phase of everybody’s rookie season where there’s a massive load of info blocking his mind. He’s not sure when to pass or shoot sometimes, not sure when to look for the stretch pass versus making the D to D play and clearly not always sure when he can go for the neutral zone hit. You can almost see his gears whizzing as he cycles through the options sometimes. If his progression follows the normal path, he’ll start to push through that stuff by the end of the regular season, at which point he’ll get the rude reminder that it’s a completely different set of equations in the playoffs. Most defensemen take a couple of years of pro hockey to get where they’re headed, and he got a bit of a head start in the KHL, which should shorten up his learning curve a bit. But people expecting a finished product right out of the gate were nuts. That might happen with one dimensional players in limited roles … scoring wingers, stay at home D … but for centers and do it all D, that’s a fantasy. It takes learning at the NHL level and it takes time. If all he ever does is smooth out the rough edges, then he’s a middle pairing D who can use that big shot on the PP to pile up some points. If he hits his max potential, then he’s a first pairing, all situations wrecking ball. Most likely he lands some somewhere in between, and that’s a pretty good place to land. 1st or 2nd pair left side stalwart who can play in all situations. Those guys are the backbone of every good team.
Necas? He’s gone, Carolina got a good return and I honestly think the math stops there. Carolina knew he was a good player, because he was a good player here … if far too mercurial and never a great fit for the system. So, I’d be absolutely shocked if the Canes brass feels somehow slighted by his success or his contract. Ehlers IS a better fit, while providing much of the same attacking traits. Stankoven is an even better fit and has signed for the long term at a reasonable rate. Hall has proven a nice addition as well. None of those guys are here if Necas is still on the roster. That math holds up.
Eric Stratton
Active member
I appreciate the time and effort on the response. Much love.
You and I will have to respectively disagree on Fox. He is a skilled offensive player who would put up 3 pts per game against the likes of Germany, Switzerland and Latvia. But the U.S. team was put together with one thing in mind--beat Canada. As you correctly point out, Quinn and Werenski are better offensive/PP option. And Fox is unplayable against them defensively. So IMO he has no role on this team unless either Quinn or Werenski get injured.
Yeah, that’s not my perception of Fox at all, and he does have a Norris trophy. Although that’s far from a perfect measure, it does validate quality on some level. He’s an all three zones defenseman who had a rough season last year culminating in a bad showing at Four Nations, which seems to be coloring perceptions of him going forward. He was really good for NYR this season prior to his injury.
But hey … we all see and value different stuff. No biggie.
Pens forward Bryan Rust has a hearing for an illegal check to the head. Classic chicken wing. He was assessed a minor.
View: https://x.com/_j_a_k_e_d/status/2015826322241499179?s=61
View: https://x.com/_j_a_k_e_d/status/2015826322241499179?s=61
Obvious supplemental punishment situation, to me … so he’ll probably get a firm talking to and nothing else. But for me, that’s the kind of gratuitous BS that DPS needs to be punishing out of the game. That’s not a hockey play and it’s easier to just not stick out your arm like that than it is to do it in the first place.
They wouldn’t hold a hearing for a fine. But he has no disciplinary history, not even a fine, so this will probably be a 1 game suspension. He’s never had more than 31 PIM in a season and averages 27 per 82 games. So that hit is either out of character or he’s never been caught before.
Fayettenamcanesfan
Well-known member
Sad thing is I’ve seen much worse go uncalled and not even penalized later after video review. League is so inconsistent