What are you looking forward to next season?

[BCExpat]

There isn't any sense of urgency on getting rid of Huberdeau. The Flames have plenty of cap space and they are in no position to compete for at least 4 years or more. His contract isn't hurting them much at this point. Once they do get to that stage where they are competitive again, they can entertain some sort of trade with retention, or just buy him out.

[Strangelove]

They could look to add dead salary for sweetners. Like Poolman. I'm not sure what the insurance situation is on that contract -- a $2.5M sweetner in real dollars is not insignificant, though its money the Blue Jackets are going to have to pay one way or another to reach the cap floor. There are also easier adds for them in this area that would settle things completely in terms of cap floor and are more likely to have insurance than Poolman's), like a Ryan Ellis's contract.

I agree with you that Poolman's contract is likely uninsured.

If it were insured, no doubt it would have been moved long ago.

(given JR's comments)

A little known fact: Most NHL contracts are not insured.

Looks like the Jackets need to replace Johnny's contract with a $2.7M (minimum) one to reach the floor

... after they get over the shock of losing Johnny of course.

Talk about a "cursed franchise"...

[Lancer]

Not the same caliber of player - or maybe so, we’ll never know - but we have Bourdon in our team’s history of tragedy.

I have little doubt that other clubs will be offering deals to help Columbus hit the floor. That said. I wager we’ll see a bit of training camps before serious offers emerge.

[Hockey Widow]

Holy fuck what an unbelievable tragedy. So sad so sad. But at least they are out from under that contract. I know too soon.

There is no way the league should grant them any consideration regarding the cap. They have plenty of time to get cap compliant and Johnny Hockey is not the first death or tragedy to strike a team. The personal tragedy aside, this is business am I right?

Canucks can do them a solid and trade them Poolman for a 7th round pick in 2030 for all I care. Problem solved. Then they have plenty of time to worry about making offer sheets or trades or anything else to bolster their lineup.

Fucking sad .

[Blob Mckenzie]

There's no consideration. He can't play. They now have a pile of space. Pretty self-explanatory.

[Hockey Widow]

There's no consideration. He can't play. They now have a pile of space. Pretty self-explanatory.

Yes I know Blob. Columbus has asked the NHL for special consideration due to unforeseen circumstances. They want an exception from having to reach the cap floor. I say they shouldn't be granted one. Sure some team make take advantage of their situation but that's business. They are not the first team to have to go through shit like this. Of course if it was Vegas it would be a given.

[Chef Boi RD]

There isn't any sense of urgency on getting rid of Huberdeau. The Flames have plenty of cap space and they are in no position to compete for at least 4 years or more. His contract isn't hurting them much at this point. Once they do get to that stage where they are competitive again, they can entertain some sort of trade with retention, or just buy him out.

Well said, they will need legit vets around to mentor the kids coming in, he’s a perfect candidate for that role while they rebuild

[Blob Mckenzie]

No he isn't. He's an overpaid floater.

[Chef Boi RD]

No he isn't. He's an overpaid floater.

Ok, you’re right, I guess I was trying to be empathetic to his trials and tribulations since becoming a Flame. He’s definitely flamed out.

[Ronning's Ghost]

Hughes continuing to improve seems to me like the only think on the list that's reasonably probable, and therefore the only thing that this fan of a definitely cursed franchise dares to look forward.

[Todd Bersnoozi]

For me, it's all about the playoffs. I don't want to be as invested this year and waste all that time watching games and following the team in the reg season. Of course, if the team is playing well, it'll be easier said than done and it'll be easy to get sucked back in.

I still plan to watch the highlights and watch the games when we play some of those top/entertaining teams like leaves, Oilers, Avalanche, etc. When we play those boring teams and bottom feeders like San Jose, Calgary, Seattle, Utah... meh, who cares, try not to bother.

When the playoffs roll around, I plan to be all in again. Go Canucks go!

[rats19]

For me, it's all about the playoffs. I don't want to be as invested this year and waste all that time watching games and following the team in the reg season. Of course, if the team is playing well, it'll be easier said than done and it'll be easy to get sucked back in.

I still plan to watch the highlights and watch the games when we play some of those top/entertaining teams like leaves, Oilers, Avalanche, etc. When we play those boring teams and bottom feeders like San Jose, Calgary, Seattle, Utah... meh, who cares, try not to bother.

When the playoffs roll around, I plan to be all in again. Go Canucks go!

Gee whiz Todd that sounds a tad bandwagony…

[Blob Mckenzie]

I'm curious how Debrusk fits in here. Peter/Jake and Miller/Brock could quite easily put up 130 goals. Another big season from Boeser and he is getting Miller money and term.

Who fills in the top six? Even though I prefer a top 9 model myself. Heinan and maybe Piggy for the start of the year. Hoglander has decent value despite what some of the elders believe. But unless he can find some chemistry with someone he belongs on the 4th line. 24 goals and driving play is a very good return for what they pay him. I like the Green Berets together. Let Suter centre the 4th line with Sherwood and a kid if not Hogg.,Find a tough scrub for 12/13 forward.

Anything less than starting the playoffs at home is a failure to me. It's a deep team.

[Cousin Strawberry]

DeBrusk is an exceptional forechecker who turns over a fuckload of pucks. He will be popping pucks onto Petterssons stick a helluva alot more often than the Afghan looking Russian or Hoglander.

Heinen is also an option for the other side of that line. Both new wings can skate and move up the ice in a hurry.

A better second line plus another year with garland Joshua and Booger mopping up on teams depth is a nice bonus

[Madcombinepilot]

Not the same caliber of player - or maybe so, we’ll never know - but we have Bourdon in our team’s history of tragedy.

I have little doubt that other clubs will be offering deals to help Columbus hit the floor. That said. I wager we’ll see a bit of training camps before serious offers emerge.

We should offer Columbus hte poolman contract for futures.