Boris Katchouk

[Bolthed]

I dunno. I read reports in yesterday’s news on the TV deal that the flat cap is expected for more than next season. It could be 2-3 years before it goes up because of TV money.

[RSchmitz]

Didn't they say this offseason gourde refused to waive his ntc? I can't imagine that changes.

I vaguely remember reading that he wasn't even asked

[BurnTHalO]

His NTC becomes modified after the 21-22 season where he has to submit a list of 23 teams he would be willing to accept a trade to.

It's worth mentioning that we don't know what will happen with the cap. Maybe the new TV deal increases the cap by the start of the 22-23 season.

I thought I read there was an agreement for a flat cap for 4 seasons. To in part recoup from these past few.

[Donnie D]

I wish. But TSN estimates that the players owe the owners more than a billion dollars. Sports Illustrated said it's 1.25 billion. The added revenue helps repay the debt, but it's only $150 million a year.

[Bolthed]

Debt forgiveness ... for the good of the league. Why force teams to dismantle their rosters just so a bunch of guys can get underpaid as free agents?

We know the owners can afford it if the league prospers. Why should “Build back better” not apply to sports? Are any other leagues making their players cover losses in revenue? I know baseball did it last year and I know the NFL did no such thing. Not sure about hoops, but I doubt it.

Maybe the league could allow each owner to decide how much, if any, debt they’d be willing to forgive from their players. We all know Vinnik would do right.

[Donnie D]

Thanks for the laugh Bolthed.

[Bolthed]

[dmaxf9]

Lightning sign the throwing Samoan Jack Thompso.

[pete]

Thompson got a helper in his pro debut in Syracuse's finale. I think of him as a Ben Thomas type. A little better defensively than Ben at this point in his career but maybe not as quick. Both guys, however, undersized right handed puck movers who survive by thinking fast.

[Flycoon]

All three of those guys play on the PP and PK, as did Barre-Boulet and Colton before their callups. That seems to be in the organizational philosophy development wise to get guys in all facets of the game. Katchouk and Somppi are more physical than Raddysh, but all three go to the hard areas and play well along the boards.

I agree about Killorn, Johnson, and Coleman being gone. I do think they offer Goodrow a three year deal in the range of $2 million to stay because of how valuable he is defensively and on the PK.

Just looking at our forward group hypothetically with those subtractions:

Palat - Point - Kucherov
ABB - Cirelli - Stamkos
Colton - Gourde - Goodrow
Maroon - Stephens - Joseph
Katchouk - Somppi - Raddysh

Maybe you have to move a guy as an incentive in expansion, but that is still one of the most talented forward groups in the NHL.

Less than impressed with ABB. Smaller, slower version of TJ.

[pete]

Agreed that ABB's skating wasn't NHL scoring line caliber yet in his extended audition. That said, Yanni Gourde looked like dog meat the first 2-3 callups he got to the NHL before the green light seemed to go on.

[dmaxf9]

Would resign Barre-Boulet. Lightning have let too many late bloomers get away lately.

[pete]

Lightning just signed Maxim Cajkovic. Wild card talent for the organization. Pure sniper.

[Bolthed]

Sammy Walker and Nick Perbix update, please?

[Donnie D]

I read they were both going back for their senior years.