Jeremy Laura: Husso’s health, Filip Larsson, Lightning, Caps and salary cap issues

I think Utah will be a big player in the off season. Their new owner will want to put a winner on the ice ASAP and make a splash both on the trade front and UFA signings. They have plenty of cap space and a boatload of picks that could be used in acquisitions and signings.

I think Utah will be a big player in the off season. Their new owner will want to put a winner on the ice ASAP and make a splash both on the trade front and UFA signings. They have plenty of cap space and a boatload of picks that could be used in acquisitions and signings.
- boilermaker100

They are a huge wild card. I think TB is without picks in rounds 1-4 this year and others are just way over extended financially

Wow, who’da thunk the cap would have such far-reaching impacts on the league? Some of our cap issues are self-inflicted, as we all know all too well. This year, the cap was supposed to go up a much larger rate than the now-assumed $4m +/- which is impacting a bunch of teams. The addition of The Yutes will be an interesting wrinkle as well.

For us; Husso needs to be healthy and better (not sure either of those are possible). Having 3 G may not be the best move, but if Husso comes back improved over his last….well, CAREER, maybe it’ll be value added. Lyon did well, for sure. But our team D was embarrassing at times. So what to do? See how Husso’s health is, give him some games as the #3, extend Reimer another year, Lyon’s #1. If Husso shows up to play, bonus! If not, waive him to GR. Maybe he clears, maybe he won’t. Worst that can happen is another what, $1.4m back in the checking account.

Holl is dealt with a high #2 as a sweetener. He’s not doing jack for us sitting & getting paid $3m for it. RD are in demand, heck may even be able to tie a 3d rounder to his toe-tag. Chiarot played well, not $5m well, but maybe he gets some interest from someone and we retain 1/2 his salary for the season. Opens up space for a kid to jump up. Might even let Ghost go for Johanssen? I dunno if that works or not, Ghost had a really good season and literally kept us in the fight vs MTL with his jumper to keep the puck in the zone. Hard to call, but someone has to go to allow Johanssen to play…. Kid won’t clear and we’re gonna lose him. This is going to be a VERY interesting off-season. I can’t even begin to imagine what moves will be made, but we need something to free up space for the kids….

Sorry, I know you said to “be the GM…” and I didn’t make any moves. Here’s what I do think: Tronno’s in a world of crap and there are some major moves coming if they can find some dance partners. That team’s gonna be re-imagined, fans are livid, players screaming at each other…. A total crap-show in Tronno…..

Wow, who’da thunk the cap would have such far-reaching impacts on the league? Some of our cap issues are self-inflicted, as we all know all too well. This year, the cap was supposed to go up a much larger rate than the now-assumed $4m +/- which is impacting a bunch of teams. The addition of The Yutes will be an interesting wrinkle as well.

For us; Husso needs to be healthy and better (not sure either of those are possible). Having 3 G may not be the best move, but if Husso comes back improved over his last….well, CAREER, maybe it’ll be value added. Lyon did well, for sure. But our team D was embarrassing at times. So what to do? See how Husso’s health is, give him some games as the #3, extend Reimer another year, Lyon’s #1. If Husso shows up to play, bonus! If not, waive him to GR. Maybe he clears, maybe he won’t. Worst that can happen is another what, $1.4m back in the checking account.

Holl is dealt with a high #2 as a sweetener. He’s not doing jack for us sitting & getting paid $3m for it. RD are in demand, heck may even be able to tie a 3d rounder to his toe-tag. Chiarot played well, not $5m well, but maybe he gets some interest from someone and we retain 1/2 his salary for the season. Opens up space for a kid to jump up. Might even let Ghost go for Johanssen? I dunno if that works or not, Ghost had a really good season and literally kept us in the fight vs MTL with his jumper to keep the puck in the zone. Hard to call, but someone has to go to allow Johanssen to play…. Kid won’t clear and we’re gonna lose him. This is going to be a VERY interesting off-season. I can’t even begin to imagine what moves will be made, but we need something to free up space for the kids….

Sorry, I know you said to “be the GM…” and I didn’t make any moves. Here’s what I do think: Tronno’s in a world of crap and there are some major moves coming if they can find some dance partners. That team’s gonna be re-imagined, fans are livid, players screaming at each other…. A total crap-show in Tronno…..
- mcmastermike1968

There was a sort of “wave” of contracts that were all met with “this will look like a steal when it’s over, and the cap could be close to 100m!” Draisaitl, amazing player. McDavid, obviously generational player. Matthews, a long healthy career could see another challenge to the goal scoring record. One big difference. Matthews didn’t go max term. Now, he’s not going max term again. 13+m on a 4 year extension. Bonus schedule - almost 16m yr 1, then 14,425, then 10, then 9. Salary of around 770 for 2 years then 2 years at 900 in season. I’m sure that has the attention of CMD. Nylander and Marner both paid well and then Tavares. 4 players taking up around half the cap. Nylander has a fantastic year, gets a nice raise going forward. Matthews may not play tonight. If Toronto doesn’t make it out of this series the changes will be big.

I know this is a huge response, I apologize. Remember that Tavares is in court right now. A massive levy on his signing bonus and bills in Canada and the U.S. regarding the capitol gains tax going as high as 40%. Tavares isn’t getting much support, but what he can do is bring all the teammates in and point to mass discrepencies (currently being explained as him coming from the U.S. to Canada). This lawsuit and those proposed CG raises are going to be very real issues. Those bonuses had been capped at 16% or so with the reassessment taking Tavares up to 38% (took home 5 of 13 mil after audit). The cap era and handling have had more loopholes (escrow, LTIR) that make fans outside of hockey (NFL) see 20% escrow and think it’s a misprint. There’s no way players have to just forfeit salary back to owners, right? I’m still trying to help someone understand HRR 50/50 and Escrow. It just doesn’t land

I think Utah will be a big player in the off season. Their new owner will want to put a winner on the ice ASAP and make a splash both on the trade front and UFA signings. They have plenty of cap space and a boatload of picks that could be used in acquisitions and signings.
- boilermaker100

The Yutes are ripe for a blow up. The new owner saw the crap that was ARI and knows he needs to make a huge splash. I think he also wants to get in the good graces of ownership & the leadership of the NHL. The players were embarrassed, for sure because the Meurel’s didn’t even pay hotel bills. There’s no way to go but up, and I think they’re gonna be a blast to watch as they shake up the league. Hell, I’ll help right out of the gate: Give ‘em Holl & Fabbri for a 10-yr supply of honey!

There was a sort of “wave” of contracts that were all met with “this will look like a steal when it’s over, and the cap could be close to 100m!” Draisaitl, amazing player. McDavid, obviously generational player. Matthews, a long healthy career could see another challenge to the goal scoring record. One big difference. Matthews didn’t go max term. Now, he’s not going max term again. 13+m on a 4 year extension. Bonus schedule - almost 16m yr 1, then 14,425, then 10, then 9. Salary of around 770 for 2 years then 2 years at 900 in season. I’m sure that has the attention of CMD. Nylander and Marner both paid well and then Tavares. 4 players taking up around half the cap. Nylander has a fantastic year, gets a nice raise going forward. Matthews may not play tonight. If Toronto doesn’t make it out of this series the changes will be big.

I know this is a huge response, I apologize. Remember that Tavares is in court right now. A massive levy on his signing bonus and bills in Canada and the U.S. regarding the capitol gains tax going as high as 40%. Tavares isn’t getting much support, but what he can do is bring all the teammates in and point to mass discrepencies (currently being explained as him coming from the U.S. to Canada). This lawsuit and those proposed CG raises are going to be very real issues. Those bonuses had been capped at 16% or so with the reassessment taking Tavares up to 38% (took home 5 of 13 mil after audit). The cap era and handling have had more loopholes (escrow, LTIR) that make fans outside of hockey (NFL) see 20% escrow and think it’s a misprint. There’s no way players have to just forfeit salary back to owners, right? I’m still trying to help someone understand HRR 50/50 and Escrow. It just doesn’t land
- Jeremy Laura

The finances, which you do an amazing job of covering & explaining to the readership, are all over the place. Escrow’s a BS concept: Hey, new Lineman, you have to pay us a 1/4 of your pay check so you can have a job, but here’s the best part….ya ready? You have to pay income tax on that 25%. Ain’t that a GREAT deal?!?!? What a crock.

My personal opinion is that Canada targeted Tavares. And they’re seemingly setting the tone for any American (yes, capital “A”…) player. Once legal precedence is established, little can be done to over-turn it. AM was smart, and I’ll not be surprised if he’s going to be hit with a charge as well. All retro-active. Insane. All the government’s done is alienate American players, hell ANY pro athlete. Not going to get political, not going to do that to the honourable manner in which you run this blog. I didn’t realize AM’s pay schedule was so front-loaded w/bonus pay….if the Tavares tax is upheld, ole AM may need a telethon so he can pay rent….

Sadly, YES I’m a Tronno fan…love original 6 teams, Tronno just didn’t get it; you win as a team, not 4 players. Had a coach tell me “…you can’t out-score your (frank)-ups.” ‘Course they did dump Holl so there’s that 😑. Tree-living’s got his hands full of Dubas waste. That club’s a dumpster-fire and the fans have just about had it. Rightfully so.

Maybe the owners of TML told the tax people to bear down on Taveras to get him to want to move outta Trono!! His going elsewhere would solve one issue with their cap space!!

Maybe the owners of TML told the tax people to bear down on Taveras to get him to want to move outta Trono!! His going elsewhere would solve one issue with their cap space!!
- HenryHockey

That will blow up spectacularly if true. The last thing you want is 3 other players subpoenaed and showing their withholdings and comparable leaving a decision that could potentially hit all of them. Whether it’s a popular statement or no, Toronto is the hub. A fan base that has invested themselves year after year. Honestly, most of the fans I’ve talked to love the game and love to give their take. They need to find a good “win win” out of this. If Utah has the space (after the bonus is paid) for the AAV, JT is a good leader if he would be willing to head to that market.

The finances, which you do an amazing job of covering & explaining to the readership, are all over the place. Escrow’s a BS concept: Hey, new Lineman, you have to pay us a 1/4 of your pay check so you can have a job, but here’s the best part….ya ready? You have to pay income tax on that 25%. Ain’t that a GREAT deal?!?!? What a crock.

My personal opinion is that Canada targeted Tavares. And they’re seemingly setting the tone for any American (yes, capital “A”…) player. Once legal precedence is established, little can be done to over-turn it. AM was smart, and I’ll not be surprised if he’s going to be hit with a charge as well. All retro-active. Insane. All the government’s done is alienate American players, hell ANY pro athlete. Not going to get political, not going to do that to the honourable manner in which you run this blog. I didn’t realize AM’s pay schedule was so front-loaded w/bonus pay….if the Tavares tax is upheld, ole AM may need a telethon so he can pay rent….

Sadly, YES I’m a Tronno fan…love original 6 teams, Tronno just didn’t get it; you win as a team, not 4 players. Had a coach tell me “…you can’t out-score your (frank)-ups.” ‘Course they did dump Holl so there’s that 😑. Tree-living’s got his hands full of Dubas waste. That club’s a dumpster-fire and the fans have just about had it. Rightfully so.
- mcmastermike1968

Thanks for that, and yeah, I love the O 6. This legal loophole would be on the mind of future free agents, etc. the fact that the two capitol gains taxes are insanely close in amounts and timing makes me think you’re right. There’s some “follow the leader”. Toronto’s bonus structure helped close the gap on tax codes and waivering currency values. The players that got those deals have my hats off to them. Matthews could have another good raise after this and end up being amongst royalty (even with inflation factored in). No one needs bad press of players facing a new garnishment if they don’t get this thing cleaned up

"And the biggest question: Can Ville Husso recover from health issues and be the solid, dependable workhorse he was the first three-quarters of the 2022-23 season?"
The butterfly effect on a goalie's health is devastating. Hip and groin issues continue to mount, not to mention the many collisions that the NHL allow to happen without penalties or interest in protecting the goalies. I think it is time that the NHL allow a cap-free 24th roster spot for a 3rd goalie that is under $1.5M in salary. I think the Goalies Union would hardily endorse this! Either that or the NHL start calling the goalie interference more regularly like a few years ago or keep the opposition out of the crease all together. But like CRT, the NHL wishes to ignore and deny the higher rate of injuries and LTIR retirement to goalies.

I'm a Utah Jazz fan so I'm quite familiar with the owner.

Utah was a luxury tax team prior to the rebuild. Ryan will spend money and I guarantee Utah becomes a big player in Free Agency.

The finances, which you do an amazing job of covering & explaining to the readership, are all over the place. Escrow’s a BS concept: Hey, new Lineman, you have to pay us a 1/4 of your pay check so you can have a job, but here’s the best part….ya ready? You have to pay income tax on that 25%. Ain’t that a GREAT deal?!?!? What a crock.

My personal opinion is that Canada targeted Tavares. And they’re seemingly setting the tone for any American (yes, capital “A”…) player. Once legal precedence is established, little can be done to over-turn it. AM was smart, and I’ll not be surprised if he’s going to be hit with a charge as well. All retro-active. Insane. All the government’s done is alienate American players, hell ANY pro athlete. Not going to get political, not going to do that to the honorable manner in which you run this blog. I didn’t realize AM’s pay schedule was so front-loaded w/bonus pay….if the Tavares tax is upheld, ole AM may need a telethon so he can pay rent….

Sadly, YES I’m a Tronno fan…love original 6 teams, Tronno just didn’t get it; you win as a team, not 4 players. Had a coach tell me “…you can’t out-score your (frank)-ups.” ‘Course they did dump Holl so there’s that 😑. Tree-living’s got his hands full of Dubas waste. That club’s a dumpster-fire and the fans have just about had it. Rightfully so.
- mcmastermike1968

Hey Mike!! Hockey used to be important to the Canadian government, it no longer is. The demographics of the country are changing rapidly. They are a country of 40 million, but migrants now represent up to 13.6 million of them and growing rapidly. They are importing what is the equivalent of the US bringing in nearly 14 million per year. Their housing shortages are massive, with avg home prices nearly $100k more than the US, while the unemployment rate is double that of the US. The fact is, the avg native Canadian hockey fan is no longer an important voting demographic to Canadian politicians, so they could care less if hockey thrives or fails. One of the reasons Canada had such high participation in youth hockey, was the rinks were generally government subsidized and the Hockey Canada Assist Fund would pay a significant portion of the ice bills of lower income players. The subsidies to rinks are on the chopping block as funds are being redirected to support migrants, and the Assist Fund is being politicized and pressured to only fund youth players other than native Canadians.

My point is, with all the changes going on in Canada, I highly doubt most politicians care if the NHL thrives or dies in Canada, and they aren't going to spend a moment of their time trying to make Canadian teams more competitive.

"And the biggest question: Can Ville Husso recover from health issues and be the solid, dependable workhorse he was the first three-quarters of the 2022-23 season?"
The butterfly effect on a goalie's health is devastating. Hip and groin issues continue to mount, not to mention the many collisions that the NHL allow to happen without penalties or interest in protecting the goalies. I think it is time that the NHL allow a cap-free 24th roster spot for a 3rd goalie that is under $1.5M in salary. I think the Goalies Union would hardily endorse this! Either that or the NHL start calling the goalie interference more regularly like a few years ago or keep the opposition out of the crease all together. But like CRT, the NHL wishes to ignore and deny the higher rate of injuries and LTIR retirement to goalies.
- HenryHockey

I wonder if he's just had the injury and not totally healed, but pushed it too early. I mean, there's got to be some pride that drives players to prove their worth (especially in the SCPO, but even some in the regular season...). I mean, do I think he can be a viable 'tender? I'm not sure....I just haven't seen enough to say, but what little I have seen, he's not left a good impression.

Now, I really think the G injuries are compounded by more physical play, whether it being run into or just pushing flexibility too far.... but I do think there needs to be a bit more control over G contact, they're in a very dangerous position, for sure.