Hibbs, you are absolutely right, and other teams are the same situation. Even if the cap goes up, it will mean the eight remaining players will have to average about $ 800,000 each. So, whoever they bring it doesn't look like a championship or even near championship team.

1. Cap will go up at least 2 million.
2. Most of those remaining spots should be filled by ELCs anyway (Pouliot, Sprong, Sheary, Murray, Sundqvist, Simon)

Really not a huge concern.

First, who says the cap will go up? Russia and Canada's currency are in the shitter, those are large markets for the NHL. It may raise for inflation, but 2 million is really optimistic.

And second, then how does the team above differ any from the team we have on the ice now? The non-playoff team. All of those players are a year older and a year slower. And you are depending on literally the worst prospect pool in hockey to fill 6 or 7 gaps?

So glad you aren't concerned. Good for you.

Oh. And that is also IF they are even still around. Anyone really believe that Rutherford won't trade what prospects we have for another ill-advised, pipe dream of a playoff push?

History says he does. So there is also that.

Not 100% but I believe the CBA mandates a minimum 5% increase.

That "worst prospect pool" has one of the best records in the AHL (and that team doesn't even have Sprong). If you're so worried about how old most of our team is, shouldn't you want some of those young, fast players on the roster??

Say what you will about GMJR, but he assembled a team that should be a cup contender this year. It's not his fault that at different times Crosby/Malkin/Kessel/Horny/Kunitz/Bonino/Perron have not lived up to their typical production.

this hibbits guy is a real dick. always tryna out smart everyone bc he's never wrong

Um... that's the AHL. Rarely does a team have their top prospects playing AHL hockey, nor does AHL hockey and the typical goonery that goes on translates to the NHL. Usually the kid opts to stay in their junior league and GOOD prospects are usually NHL ready coming out of juniors. For instance, Sprong does not play in Wilkes Barre and neither did Kappy and Sundqvist last year. And often players are still considered prospects even if they are playing in the NHL (like Despres/Pouliot were).

Just go google power rankings for prospect pools in the NHL. We are at the bottom of every list. Highest I've seen was 20 but that was before trading Kapanen and Harrington.

But generally yes, we need to get younger. We don't have the talent in our system to do it yet.

$5,000,000 for Matta is really high, especially for a guy who missed 1/3 of his playing time in the NHL so far due to injury. Do you really think any team would risk $5 million in cap space, as well as their first and third round picks, for Maata?

He's a great player, great top 4 D, but he should get a 2 year bridge deal in the 3-4 million range.