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Forum: NHLJan. 26 at 7:38 a.m.
Thread: Salary Cap Needs to be Revised
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>NHLfan10506</b></div><div>I am 100% in favor of free markets

But NHL is not a free market. It is very much a closed market. It’s a legally permitted monopoly, that avoids anti-trust regulations by negotiating various terms with government (on of them being no contraction). There is no way for teams to disappear as long as the league is still active. And there is no way for a team to be added to league, unless owners award another franchise. It’s not like Soccer, where the Hersey Bears win AHL on year and play against NHL the next.

To eliminate the salary cap, the choice would have to be unanimous. Dissenting teams can still block. So the path to changing cap is for specific cartel of teams walk away from CBA (or from league altogether)

If the bottom third of the league falls off, the league loses fans, their eyeballs and their revenue. So if the overall size of the NHL pie shrinks, the TV contracts will shrink. The gate revenue will shrink by having fewer venues. Everyone will make less money from league-wide HRR. But everyone will have fixed costs in their market. They have buildings, practice facilities, staff, etc. They will very likely see revenues shrink a lot faster and lower than their liabilities. So the clubs with the largest operations (big arena, start of art practice facilities, huge scouting staff, lots of comfort, lots of high-tech) that spend the most will end up cutting the most. Their ‘advantage neutralized’. Eventually, many will likely move to the more attractive locations. Taxes will become a larger determinant for selection locations. Teams that want to build new arenas, or make other big ticket expenditures, will have less asses to public money (since anti-trust agreement was broken). So they will have to self finance with much higher interest rates since any loans would not be co-signed or backed by the league. So if your arena needs help, you team most likely movies cities. If your taxes are high, your team likely moves cities. If you team has big operational advantage in cap era, it becomes liability in post-cap era.

There will be different teams in the league every year. “Start-up” clubs will appear, disappear. Existing owners, no longer compensated for new entrants would now be competing with them, not only in the ice, but off the ice ice well. Targeting one franchise to fold would be their goal, obtaining their players, arenas, or revenue streams would be the motivation.

As clubs will be changing cities often, and with the high franchise mortality rate at bottom of league, that will also impact player contracts. The overall pie will shrink, so their AAV will go way down. But will such-year-to-year uncertain, term will likely trend toward average length of below 1.5 (meaning a majority of SPCs will be without term). That means more players will be shuffling around year-to-year, market-to-market. Eventually, that will have the effect of reshuffling the deck each year for a very large portion of the league. No cap, means no limits on contract amounts. So they top guys will get paid. But also means guys at bottom will not. The bottom third of the league would look like AHL. For example,

- Top 5%: stars making very high salary
- Next 30%: NHL talent making NHL salary
- Next 35%: NHL talent making AHL salary
- Next 20%: AHL talent making AHL salary
- Last 10%: AHL talent making ECHL salary

League GINI index rises considerably. In that scenario, salaries of the lower half of league will decline. Lower pay will draw in less talent. Today, we have 32 teams with 23 roster spots. That 736 NHLers league wide. In the post-cap scenario, there would be about 300 fewer spots, and another 100 or so getting replaced by cheaper talent. (Eventually, many of those NHLers probably migrate to AHL, which would no longer be an affiliated league but a rival league mirroring late 1970s WHA).

Any intrinsic advantages one club may enter this post-cap era with would quickly be disappear. Within a decade, the league would be unrecognizable, third rate, poverty league. The following decade, after years of kids bailing in the sport, will see huge decline in quality. A decade after that, professional hockey will limited to a handful of local, semi-pro leagues in northern US and Canada.</div></div>

I originally started this thread looking for answers on how to help clubs (large or small market) to be able to sign drafted players (after ELC runs out) instead of losing them because of the salary cap. My proposal would be to give cap relief (come up with a %) only to those players drafted by that team. If teams choose that option they couldn't go out and spend more money (in free agency) than their top salaried player(s)

When a team like Edmonton drafts a player like McDavid they shouldn't be penalized trying to build a team around him because of cap restraints. It's not fair to the team and definitely isn't fair to the player. Same could be said for Toronto however it's hard to feel sympathy for them when they signed Tavares for the money they did.

I don't want small market teams to go away however as much as the commissioner wants hockey in Arizona you can't force fans to support a team when there is no interest. I am a huge capitalist and free market person but for this league to survive you have to (dare I say it) spread the money around. I just threw up. Anyway, bottom line allow teams to maybe "franchise tag" certain drafted players for cap relief with restrictions in place to not out spend small market teams in free agency. Promote building teams through the draft.
Forum: NHLNov. 22, 2023 at 2:32 p.m.
Thread: Salary Cap Needs to be Revised
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>Lots of rules around it would have to be dealt with to model it out and see how/where it can be used and abused by NHL GM's.

What is the goal of doing this? To increase player salaries? To allow big market teams to use their financial power over small market teams?
The Goal is to not limit or handcuff teams that draft elite players. The goal is for teams not to have to let drafted players walk or trade them because they cant afford them. Not saying that they cant afford them because like Toronto they went and signed a John Tavares for 11 million. However, also like toronto when you draft Matthews, Nylander Marner and Reilly and those players take up a major part of your cap room that doesnt leave much room for complimentary players. If you draft well you as a team shouldnt have to let players walk or trade them because you drafted well. Hope that makes sense
Does the Franchise Player salary still count towards the 50% of Hockey Related Revenue between the NHL and the NHLPA?
I dont have an answer to that
Does it count towards the Cap Floor, but not the Ceiling?
Great Question. I think total salary counts toward the floor
What would happen if the player went on IR or LTIR?
Same thing that happens currently
Can you trade Franchise players? If not, then this basically makes them untradeable (maybe that's the point?)
Another Great Question. Yes, still tradeable but their total salary will count with new team
Would Franchise Players be exempt from expansion protection?
Yes, definitely
How often can a team make changes to the Franchise Player designation?
Probably your best question. Im not an attorney but since other players are possibly tied to this designation I would say in the offseason before July 1
Does a team gain any benefit by not using it?</div></div>
Yes, they are free to sign RFA'S and no restrictions on UFA's. I also believe a franchise player couldnt be just anyone, here are some stipulations:
1 Like I mentioned they would have to be a drafted player by that team
2 Length of contract would have to be at least 6 years in length and minimum of 9 million per year(changes with salary cap). No trade clause for first 3 years, player gives a list of at least 8 teams willing to be traded to starting year 4.
3 Franchise designation can be terminated at end of any hockey season up until July 1. Trade clause stays in effect.
This definitely needs work but again trying to save teams that draft well which I think helps smaller market teams
Forum: Other LeaguesNov. 22, 2023 at 1:28 p.m.
Thread: If the NHL expands to Europe
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>That's not exactly true; it's very situational and timing affects things for each team. There isn't a great mechanism for teams to "spread talent around" and it's not their job; NHL teams would rather stockpile players in the AHL but then they usually take a massive paycut and have to ride busses in small cities. Many of them would rather go back home for roughly the same money and play in Euro leagues.

It has been widely reported that the flat cap has caused NHL teams to pull back on offers. Look at Dominik Kahun, Jonathan Dahlen, Rūdolfs Balcers.

There is enough "borderline NHL talent" that fits into this category; which is what the post was about. This wasn't a "create a Euro version of the NHL" it was about creating an AHL version in Europe to grow the game and provide better feeder system into the NHL for European players, coaches, front office staff, and referrees.

My proposal wasn't to make them "national" teams; just like the AHL currently is not either.</div></div>

Well then you were right I didnt understand the thread. I thought they were suggesting divisions at the NHL level. My apologies.
Forum: NHLNov. 22, 2023 at 11:53 a.m.
Thread: Rule Changes To Improve NHL
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Rajvinder</b></div><div>I've been. Thinking lately about some potential rule changes that could be interesting and increase entertainment/viewership.

1. Changing the Salary Cap

I would advocate moving towards a system that mixes what the league currently has with what exists in European soccer. In European soccer under Financial Fair Play the max spending of clubs is a % of their revenue. As we all know the NHL's cap is a % of total league revenue split evenly amongst all teams.

So how to combine them? Have some revenues count as team specific and some as league specific. So TV rights are league revenues, NHLShop.com sales are league revenues, league sponsors are league revenues, ticket sales are 50/50 league and team revenues, team sponsors are team revenue.

What this should result in is a salary cap that allows teams like NYR, TML, MON, etc to spend more than teams like Arizona but not WAY more. So instead of everyone having a $85M cap. Arizona's could be $75M and Toronto's could be $95M.

Why do this? (i) it will incentive teams to grow their own markets, (ii) there will be less cap circumvention trades with small market teams, (iii) this will help small markets by increasing league revenues if bigger teams are in the cup finals and there is larger TV revenue, (iv) it lowers the bar for small market teams. Every team isn't expected to win a cup anymore so smaller markets can get big storylines and press around their run to the playoffs, their cup run. We've seen this work with Vegas to attract fans and money. Even Arizona or Buffalo fans are thinking of winning a cup that's what Betman told us any team could do. Imagine if the amazing goal of the Sabres was to just be the underdog that finally broke the streak and made the playoffs. They could have prime time games all season and grow their fanbase. The Salary Cap being equal robs fans of those stories.

So there is my salary cap proposal the cap is 50% of league revenues + 50% of team revenues so.

2. Changing the power play. Here are a few suggestions

A) Penalty ends on a SHG. This would encourage way more teams to play their top forwards while shorthanded.

B) PPG don't end a PP. This would again when combined with the suggestion above make PKs more aggressive and reward good PPs and high skilled players.

C) Scoring on a Delayed Penalty does not negate the PP.

3. Overtime

A) Change to a 10 minute 3 on 3.

B) Remove the shootout.

C) Remove the rule that you lose the 1 point for an OTL if you pull your goalie and the other team scores. Would love to see more coaches pull the goalie for a 4 on 3 and risk it in OT.

Standings

A) change the points to 1-2-3 system to encourage teams not to play for a draw in regulation.

Schedule

A) remove the "every player in every rink" mandate. Teams should play those in the other conference one time per year instead of 2 (alternate home and away each year).

B) make the additional 16 games a year all inter-divisional games so teams can face their own division rivals at least 5 times each season.

Playoffs

A) Let teams pick their playoff opponents. So let's say Boston finished #1 in the East and Atlantic like they did last year. They should get to pick their opponents
They can pick either #2 Atlantic, #3 Atlantic, #1 Wildcard, #2 Wildcard. I'd last year they got to pick between Tampa, Toronto, Florida and Islander who would they pick? Then the #1 in the Metro would get to pick between the #2/#3 in the Metro and the remaining wildcard team. If both wildcard teams were picked it would be 2v3 if a #2 or #3 from a division is picked the remaining team gets to pick their opponents. So if Boston picked Tampa and Carolina picked NYI then Toronto auto gets Florida but if Carolina picked NYR then Toronto can pick between NYI and Florida.

This would reward to places in the regular season more and create more drama around the playoffs and motivation for those lower teams.


I've got more ideas but will leave it at this for now. Thought?</div></div>

Love most of what you said, especially about the Cap. Regarding the cap I just posted a question on here about teams being able to designate a player as a "Franchise player." A franchise player would have to be a player that was drafted by that team and then their salary would only count a certain percentage against the cap. A franchise player could only be designated if a certain portion of the team had drafted players by that team. Why do this? To not penalize teams like Edmonton who drafted really good players but can't afford to complement those players because of salary cap restraints. I am not an oilers fan by the way. Once a designated franchise player is in place then when signing UFA'S that should be restricted to a certain amount, perhaps an amount less than the highest paid player on the team. Also, RFA'S should not be eligible to teams that have a designated franchise player. Curious what you think because you put a lot of thought into your scenarios, and I really haven't. Also I love that you said that a delayed penalty that results in a goal should not preclude a team from still having the power play.
Forum: Other LeaguesNov. 22, 2023 at 11:34 a.m.
Thread: If the NHL expands to Europe
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>You did a great job of using the Multi-Quote tool, but a poor job of paying attention to the content of the posts. There were 2 streams of thought that your reply merged together; so I can't respond thoughtfully to your remarks since they don't follow either of those ideas that were presented.

Canadien and American hockey players regularly "uproot" their lives to go play in Europe today, even to still play in Russia. Europeans do the same coming to NA. Nobody suggested that would change.

And nobody made a statement that could be construed as "Globalism needs to solve our problems".</div></div>

The players that currently go to Europe are players who can't make it in the NHL. I was questioning all the "quoters" as to what they meant or intended, such as did they mean that players native to that country would automatically stay there or if already in the NHL be allowed to move back. If not then any drafted player from north America would now find the hardship of playing in a different country that is not next door and why? Because we want a Global game? Our game is global BUT is centered right here in North America. You could make the argument that if most players playing in the NHL are from Europe, then fine let's have teams there. But currently that's not the case.
Forum: Other LeaguesNov. 22, 2023 at 10:18 a.m.
Thread: If the NHL expands to Europe
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>I'm all in favor of an European division in the NHL and yes you have covered the non-Russian hotbeds of hockey talent. However NHL teams have to look at market size and economics when placing teams not local talent.

Tampere, Bratislava, Bern, and Malmo versus placing teams in London, Paris, the Rhine and Ruhr areas of Germany, or even Vienna would be akin to picking Quebec and Winnipeg type cities over New York City, Chicago, or LA.

Maybe Copenhagen instead of Malmo and you still draw Swedish interest from Malmo but not directly in Malmo.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Finski</b></div><div>I placed the teams into the countries where Hockey is actually watched. Placing a team into London would not bring attention to the sport (necessarily). Tampere, Malmo, etc. have great facilities in place where a NHL franchise could play, and both cities would bring in great numbers of fans to the sport. London, Paris, Copenhagen, etc. would need to be put into place after the market has been secured in Europe, if not the teams might fail. If the NHL could wind up support on the continent then it is the time to hit the large (non hockey cities) not before.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>Agree to disagree.

Every major sport starts in those types of cities, but the money drives them to the big metro centers eventually so why not start there. Same reason why Vegas is successful; it isn't about having 15,000 butts in seats; it is about getting large corporate sponsors, luxury suite sales, corporate advertisers, TV ratings, etc.

A team in Tampere would have a worst case scenario financially that is probably a solid "floor", but their best case scenario "ceiling" is not going to be that much higher. A team in London however would have a huge potential.

Just look at the German pro hockey league financially versus even Sweden. Sweden has better players, more interest/attention; but the German league is far better off financially.

As I said, Quebec and Halifax are places "where hockey is actually watched"; but the NHL is never going to those cities for that reason.

In order to support NHL level expenses and salaries; each team would have to produce over $175 million per year in Hockey-Related Revenue (HRR) and that is on the LOW side; this would cause ticket prices to multiply. So, yes some of those cities have popular hockey: they just can't support that level of economics. Even Helsinki Jokerit would have to raise ticket prices almost 10-fold to get close to that level; but at least Helsinki is a major European city and can probably continue to support the team at that level; Tampere however could not; nor the other smaller cities.

London and Paris have Europe's highest GDP by cities by far and with their population they could easily find success drawing fans in professional hockey at the highest level.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>European Hockey Association
New League with economics and level of play between AHL and NHL to replace the void of the KHL.

Player salaries would be minimum of € 100k. Team salary cap of € 28,000,000 and max salary of € 5,550,000 per player.

Two way contracts would work between the NHL and EHA just like with NHL-AHL. None of the EHA teams would be "affiliated" with an NHL team; but they can get loaned players for development purposes or sign their own players to direct contracts. Basically they would be just like the Chicago Wolves are going to be.

This would entice European born players to stay closer to home; and vice-versa with North American players displaced by European players in the AHL.

All in-game rules and roster construction would be the same as NHL (just with different figures as listed above).

The future goal would be convert the arenas to NHL size arenas so European players, coaches, and executives can develop for the NHL game.

No rules about the # of foreign born players or % of in-country nationals on the team (as the current Euro leagues often do).

Minimum arena size would be 12,500 for the economics to work.

8 cities to start the league would be chosen with future expansion based on success.

Cities/metro areas are chosen based on economy, population, arena availability, hockey market size. Local hockey talent is not an important factor just "market size" for fans/sponsorships/TV media. Think LA Kings, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, mixed in with Toronto, Minnesota, Boston, Montreal type markets; but not places like Quebec or Halifax where the economics make it really hard to compete financially against bigger markets.

<strong>Original Cities:</strong>
Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki, Finland (if arena ownership gets resolved: play temporarily in Tampere until this is done).
Cologne, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Mannheim, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark (with Malmo, Sweden as co-host)
Zurich, Switzerland
Prague, Czechia

<strong>Guaranteed Expansion targets:</strong>
London, England (O2 Arena)
Paris, France (Accor Arena)
Vienna, Austria (new ice arena expected 2025-26); (paired with Bratislava, Slovakia as co-host)
Milan, Italy (new ice arena expected for 2026: Olympics)

<strong>Strong Expansion targets:</strong>
Munich, Germany (new ice arena expected 2024)
Gothenburg, Sweden
Oslo, Norway (if <a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/news/39205/three_applicants_for_2027" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Telenor Arena conversion</a> is completed by 2027)

<strong>Possible Expansion targets:</strong>
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Brussels, Belgium
Glasgow, Scotland
Hamburg, Germany
Zagreb, Croatia
Bern, Switzerland (small immediate market but very large economy and hockey market)
Tampere, Finland (small market/economy but very large hockey base).

<strong>Fringe Targets:</strong>
Riga, Latvia
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Manchester, England
Turin, Italy
Krakow, Poland
Lodz, Poland
Katowice, Poland
Budapest, Hungary
Sheffield, England
Nottingham, England
Kaunas, Lithuania

<strong>Unavailable Expansion Targets:</strong>
Moscow, Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia
Minsk, Belarus
Kiev, Ukraine
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Astana, Kazakhstan
<strong>Targets without sufficient Arena:</strong>
Dublin, Ireland
Belgrade, Serbia
Bucharest, Romania
Gdansk, Poland

Examples of Available Players:

<strong>Forwards</strong>
Joakim Nordström Victor Rask Loui Eriksson
Jonathan Dahlén Oscar Lindberg Andreas Johnsson
Tom Kühnhackl Emil Bemström Andreas Martinsen
Patrick Thoresen Pontus Holmberg Sven Andrighetto
Valtteri Filppula Jori Lehterä Janne Kuokkanen
Juho Lammikko Sakari Manninen Sven Bärtschi
Liam Kirk Markus Granlund Martin Frk
Oskar Steen Henrik Borgström Martin Kaut
Kaspars Daugavins Dominik Kahun Rudolfs Balcers
Filip Hållander Lias Andersson Nils Höglander
Damien Brunner Lucas Wallmark Alexander Nylander
Alexander True Frans Nielsen Mikkel Bødker
Frederik Storm Peter Regin Dominik Bokk
Lukas Sedlak Roman Cervenka David Desharnais
Dmitri Jaskin Radim Zohorna Stephane Da Costa
Gregory Hofmann Enzo Corvi Lino Martschini
Antoine Roussel Gaetan Haas Tomas Jurco
Andrew Agozzino Zach Boychuk Peter Cehlárik
Michael Raffl Cedric Paquette Marko Dano
Marian Studenic Alexandre Texier Borna Rendulic
Shane Prince Adam Gaudette Nic Petan
Tobias Rieder Adam Tambellini Martin Pospisil

<strong>Defense</strong>
Jacob Larsson Anton Stralman
Christian Djoos Jonas Holøs
Lawrence Pilut Yannick Weber
Michal Kempný Raphael Diaz
Robin Salo Sami Vatanen
Sami Niku Julius Honka
Ville Heinola Olli Juolevi
Dean Kukan Andrej Sustr
Kristians Rubins Libor Hájek
Lucas Carlsson Mattias Norlinder
William Lagesson Leon Gawanke
Mirco Müller Milan Jurcina
Sean Day Michal Cajkovsky
Simon Després Samuel Knazko
Michael Del Zotto Martin Gernat

<strong>Goalies</strong>
Mikko Koskinen
Jonas Johansson
Reto Barra
Oscar Dansk
Harri Säteri
Magnus Hellberg
Joey Daccord
Louis Domingue
Jean-Francois Berube
Erik Källgren
Adam Huska
Olle Eriksson Ek
Henrik Haukeland
Patrik Rybar
Simon Hrubec
Kristers Gudlevskis</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>end2endhky</b></div><div>Absolutely love this idea, I may even come up with some mock rosters after the NHL's silly season. As much as Champions HL is considered the big european league, I think something with a full regular season would be very cool.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>Oak View Group (OVG) is one of the largest arena groups in the world and one of the founders/partners and CEO is Tim Leiweke (older brother of Seattle Kraken CEO).

OVG was the lead developer of Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, UBS Arena (Long Island).

OVG is also currently building Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England (with ice hockey capabilities) the new Milan, Italy arena for their Olympics, and just now were awarded the new Vienna, Austria <a href="https://news.pollstar.com/2023/07/13/oak-view-group-to-build-new-20000-capacity-arena-in-vienna/" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">arena</a>.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>end2endhky</b></div><div>I came up with some team names for a potential pan-European league. Most of these are either work of a google translation, a football team being in the same city, or they were rumoured to join the KHL.

London Emperors - London, GBR
Paris Saint-Germain HC - Paris, FRA
Vienna Schwarz Adler - Vienna, AUT - translates to Vienna Black Eagles
HK Hnede Medvede Bratislava - Bratislava, SVK - translates to Brown Bears
EHC Bayern Munchen - Munchen, DEU
Goteborgs HK - Goteborg, SWE
Oslo IHK - Oslo, NOR
Jarvet Tampereeen - Tampere, FIN - translates to "lakes"
Amsterdam IHC - Amsterdam, NED
Lions de Bruxelles - Brussels, BEL
Hamburg Freezers - Hamburg, DEU
Medvescak Zagreb - Zagreb, CRO
EHC Bern Kuhe - Bern, CHE - translates to Cows
Glasgow Snipers - Glasgow, GBR
Dinamo Riga - Riga, LAT
Belfast Wildcats - Belfast, GBR
Patriot Budapest - Budapest, HUN
Torino HC - Turin, ITA
Huttwil Helvetics - Huttwil, CHE
Oliva Gdansk - Gdansk, POL
HC Geneva Cerfs - Geneva, CHE - translates to deers
SG Dynamo Dresden - Dresden, DEU
Manchester Rapids - Manchester, GBR
Vetra Vilnius - Vilnius, LTH - roughly translates to storm
Espoo Blues - Espoo, FIN
Ilves Tallinn - Tallinn, EST - translates to lynx
Stockholm IHK - Stockholm, SWE
Helsingin Jaakiekkoseura - Helsinki, FIN - short form "HJS", translates to Helsinki Hockey Club
Kolner Piranhas - Koln, DEU
Mannheimer Falken - Mannheim, DEU
Zurich Fuchse - Zurich, CHE - translates to foxes
HK Kamzik Praha - Praha, CZE - translates to chamois</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>TheFastAndTheFleuryous</b></div><div>The amount of effort you’ve put into this boggles the mind.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>AK50</b></div><div>Here's what I'd do.
Original 8:
Stockholm, Malmo, Oslo, Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Prague, Bern
Expansions:
London, Paris, Lyon, Zurich, Geneva, Bratislava, Tampere, Brussels/Amsterdam</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>Sharkie69</b></div><div>Someone should make this happen.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>ZaZooM</b></div><div>Just one division? Who will they play with? Inside the division? Another covid times.</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>HockeyScotty</b></div><div>Yeah ok. You do realize the NHL had 6 teams for 25 years right?</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>MrAicrow2009</b></div><div>Id also add a team in London, Copenhagen, Zurich and Munich</div></div>

<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>KasperRoos</b></div><div>I'd maybe add Vienna.</div></div>

Good luck trying to get the players union on board.
Also are all of you suggesting that players from those countries stay in those countries? If so, just as well keep Canadian players in Canada and US players in America. If you aren't suggesting that then what's the incentive for either a Canadian or American to uproot their lives to live overseas? And if your answer is that European players do that now then my reply is so what, if they want to play where the NHL originated from then that's on them. Finally, if you say that players from those countries will only play there then you diminish every franchise in North America and team owners will not go for that. In fact, I think any team(s) overseas diminish the product over here. Not to mention all the money players lose playing in Europe. Globalism isn't the answer to all your problems.
Forum: Armchair-GMNov. 22, 2023 at 9:53 a.m.
Thread: If Oilers want Hart
<div class="quote"><div class="quote_t">Quoting: <b>GreatWhiteNorth</b></div><div>Nothing to give? Nice troll job.

Goalies historically don’t get high returns and the Oilers certainly have a few prospects or young players that could be in a deal for Hart. He’s not that good that a team is going to drastically overspend to get him.</div></div>

I don't get the troll comment but ok. I respectfully disagree as Hart has established himself as a decent goalie (certainly a lot better than anything you have) on a bad team. Yes, the Oilers have prospects to give but if you are the GM you better be sure that what you are getting is a lock. You don't trade a #1 Goalie for prospects unless you have another one waiting in the wings which the Flyers do not. Now, you can certainly offer RNH or Draisaitl but that doesn't make sense for the Oilers or the Flyers. If the Flyers had another goalie waiting in the wings and were on the verge of contending, then yes. I wasn't disparaging the Oilers, maybe I should have said that neither side would benefit from such a trade.