but will it be protected in the NHL expansion draft?

a few reasons.

I like how this chart uses the datapoints to match up the different teams across generations.

yeah, i thought so, too. not sure how she got racial profiling out of it since he looks like the guy. that part seems odd.

If a team exposes any player that’s under contract for the future, it’s a risk that team might lose them, no matter the age, skill, contract, desire to actually have that player on the team, etc. Doesn’t mean the team would be disappointing to see a player go, or even wish he is taken. In Hossa’s case, because of his…

whether it’s a risk or a wish is semantics. he’s obviously slowing down, so even if exposed in the draft, Vegas may not even consider him due to age and potential cap recapture penalties.

so much for protecting Teuvo...

I don’t believe it does. My understanding is any of long term deals meant to provide cap hit relief that were signed before the last lockout do not operate under the same rules in place now, so there would be cap penalties.

yeah, that’s a good question. I guess I’m operating under the idea that they are, but im not 100% sure.

Yeah, totally agree. Would be a weak move on the organization’s part even if better for their books. Could see Hossa doing it if he was going to retire in a year or two just to ensure Chicago isn’t burdened with the recapture through 2021.

What separates the top teams is the level of skill of the players that they will keep and players at the bottom of the roster. the 9-12th best players across most teams tend to rather fungible throughout the league albeit a function of playing style, cap hits, etc.

shoot, if I’m the Blackhawks, I ask Hossa to waive his NMC and don’t protect him. Late thirties, terrible contract for the cap if he retires before it ends, not a sure fire bet that LV would take him as they need to balance adding 30 players, the cap (to which they’re probably going to be at $60MM to start), and…

While I agree with your comment in theory, a candidate that shows they’re willing to put in a little extra and is prepared for the meeting (on top of the qualities you mentioned) is most likely going to separate themselves during the process. Of course, you never really know what you have until you get them in the…

yeah, true. Kane did win it that one year when Crawford was probably more deserving. Likewise, I’m sure there are many other examples. Superstar by default is definitely plausible too.

good thing I told you now, otherwise that would have been a really awkward season for you in the NHL!

usually when there is doubt, they tend to default to the goalie. Kessel would probably be my pick, but Murray as earned it due to shutting the door vs NYR and Washington, even if he has not played up to that same impeccable level the final two rounds where he has still be rather strong overall.

perhaps similar logic is applied to this record as is the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year. The rules for the Calder state the player has to be 26 or younger. Niemi was 27 during the cup season, so his age was beyond the NHL’s established line. Being ineligible for Rookie of the Year probably disqualifies players…

I’d actually like to see them add a couple more road races in cities like Chicago, NY, SF - similar to what they do in Toronto or Detroit. Obviously, the cost/availability of city streets in these locals is not a given. That being said, it’s something to explore if IndyCar wants to raise the profile of the drivers and…

Nessler and Danielson were paired up in the late 90's for ESPN/ESPN2 or maybe even ESPN+. They always called the second fiddle Big Ten games that aired at noon eastern. They were great then. Looking forward to them reuniting.

Shocked the western final is down since STL and SJ don’t have the same local TV watching fan support as Chicago.