NHL 2012 Offseason Draft/Free Agency Thread

Rumors are the NHL will include an amnesty clause in the new CBA.

If your the Flyers do you amnesty Bryzgalov or Pronger? I'd probably wait another year or two and save it for Bryz then, but Pronger counts 5(?) mil against the cap every year now b/c they signed him after 35, right stsags ?

Also rumors are the Flyers will trade JVR & look to acquire Nash or Parise. Not sure if adding one of those guys is realistic, but I think we'll try and move JVR (and good riddance).

I think the feeling is Pronger is done due to injury, in which case we'll let him sit on the injured list rather than retire just like we did Lappy. That way, no need to use amnesty clause on him. Otherwise, I don't want Nash and while Parise would be great, we're not trading JVR for the rights to negotiate with Parise early.

That's not what I meant. They would just try & sign Parise as a free agent. JVR would be traded for another player. Are you sure Pronger doesn't count against the cap?

When a player is on long term injured reserve, you're basically allowed a cap bonus up to the value of the players cap hit. It's worded confusingly, but my understanding is it basically allows the team exceed the cap by the amount of the injured salary.

There is no true amnesty. The teams takes the hit no matter what for players over 35 like in the case of Tim Thomas. There is the LTIR that Pronger can be put on. That would free up his cap hit but only to a player that makes up to what Pronger would have made. In other words you can not put 2 players on LTIR at 5 million each than turn around and grab one player and pay the new player 10 million per season. You would be required to get 2 players making 5 million or less apiece to go over the cap. They also have to have a real injury that will keep them out for more than 10 games. Not sure if Bryzgalov is hurt and if he is not hurt you can't put him on the LTIR for the sake of it.

If you put a player over 35 in the minors you would only get a sliver of cap relief. For example, if the Bruins put Thomas's in the minors and he is making 5 million per year, the Bruins would only get $100,000 in cap relief. Not sure what the percentage or formula is exactly, I just know what it is in the case of Thomas.

If Pronger retires, he would actually be hurting the Flyers as his cap hit would remain until the contract is done, whether you pay the man or not. Player is not paid if he retires so, I guess the owners make money but the team can not use the cap space of the retired under contract player.

Also doesn't matter if the player signed the deal before or after 35, the clause kicks in when the player turns 35.

True but remember the relief is only for one player not a few players up to that amount.

If Pronger is on the LTIR no the hit won't count but if he isn't then yes he would count against. It's hard cap with little flexibility.

Not sure where the amnesty clause is coming from, there is none in the NHL. But I bet a million bucks there will be one for next year when they redo the CBA this summer. With Jeremy Jacobs as the Governor of the BoG, you bet he will push for it because of that nut job Thomas.

It's supposedly is going to be included. The big GMs and players would both want it, so I think there won't be much against it.

Who are the teams with the most cap space? I know the rangers, red wings, and wild have a ton.

http://www.capgeek.com/

suprising. I actually thought the flyers had far more cap room to work with. I'm assuming those numbers include Pronger's salary. Kubina is also a UFA, correct? I could be wrong, but I do beleive he made a decent chunk of change. If not, damn you Franchise mode in NHL 12

It is counting Pronger but not counting Voracek, who likely will get $3.5-$4 million per year. We also have to get Bourdon a deal, but that's going to be inconsequential. Basically, we need to add one defenseman so we can at least replace Carle, as I don't think he'll wind up back in orange. Also, probably $4 million for Jagr. Really, we'll probably be looking to add one big name player on defense and then lock up a couple of players long term as our RFAs the next two years will be insane.

Parise is coming home

I didn't know he was from Detroit.

I really don't think he can go back to NJ. They have space, but the team has no money. My feeling is he goes to the Wild. I think the rangers will kick tires with him and Nash, but they will probably try to package Dubinsky and Del Zotto as the centerpieces for a scorer.

He already said last week that there's no way he'd ever play for the Rangers.

I wonder if Jagr will land with them though.

He said that on moving out day and emotions played in. I doubt he comes over, but I wouldn't be surprised. Minnesota will hand him a blank check to come back to his home state.

I can't ind the article but I am pretty sure Jagr said he will only play for Philly.

No, Jagr has changed his tune - came out yesterday that he's going to "test the market."

Oh my bad. I love Jagr and hope he does well, but the rangers only proven goal scorer is Gaborik and he gets hurt pretty regularly. They desperately need another guy who can score. Kreider may become that 40 goal scorer in time, but we can't assume that he will reach that level in just his first full year. I love Parise and I think he is one of the under appreciated stars in the league, but i don't know if he foots that bill as well. I'd be ecstatic if they could get him, but my feeling i that they will have to get their guy via trade.

I don't think Suter or Weber want to leave Nashville, but we'll see.

I think Detroit will throw everything at Suter especially now that Lidstrom retired

Not "everything". That isn't how Holland operates. I think both Suter and Parise are going to get very good competitive offers from Detroit. I do think Suter will be wearing the winged wheel.

Expect the lowly Avalanche to make a run at Parise too. Expect them also to shop Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene. Duchene is a RFA, but I don't think the Avs brass love him anymore.

Giroux is on the cover of NHL 13. Nice...I was afraid it was going to be Rinne with all the bs "celebrity" shameless tweets. If it was going to be a goalie there's about 5 who deserved it over Pekka Rinne this year.

Can't wait - Citizen's Bank Park winter classic stadium should be in the game.

There's a rumor in Colombus that we could trade JVR, Bob, & Read for Rick Nash. I don't like it. I don't want to give up Matt Read in that deal. I'd rather try for Parise (even though it's a stretch) or stand pat and add just add defenseman. I like the JVR for Luke Schenn trade better. We need defenseman on this club.

Completely agree. Not only do we need defenders, but I believe that trade is equally beneficial for both sides, and it would be awesome to have both Brayden and Luke on the same squad. Our own non ginger version of the Sedins...except they aren't twins, and our versions would actually have souls. silly gingers.

I don't think the Flyers will trade for him. I really don't think anyone will give in to Columbus' demands. Now that the Ducks are dangling Ryan, the demand for Nash might not be as high.

I was going to say this days ago. You guys can pick for Nash and Weber, I'll take Ryan before either of them. But Ryan has been dangled before.