I remember a year leading up to the draft, a lot of scouts and experts were saying Brule = Crosby. Gilbert really just wasn't ready physically or mentally for the NHL, he just got man handled and destroyed.

Bettman made close to $8M last year. Up from the $3.2 after the 04-05 lockout.

Bud Selig and Goodell each made upwards of about +$20 M. David Stern's salary has never been made public...

Brule... what a fall from grace.

If he receive the right development from the beginning he would be a great NHL player but everyone tried to compare him to Crosby was tossed in when he wasn't ready and it destroyed his current NHL chances. His case and many others show why player devolpment is so important and just because you are drafted doesn't mean you should be in the NHL right away.

The other argument would be that if your that great of a player, you can overcome the circumstances

There's a big difference from being a great player with boys to men. He's still great but some players just need more devolpment because there body just isn't ready yet.

I don't agree with the argument of overcoming the circumstances. At that age, you might just not be physically ready for the NHL, regardless of how skilled a player you are. Just because you play another year or two outside the NHL, doesn't mean you aren't that great of a player.

Bettman's salary as listed on Sportsnet article:

Gary Bettman's latest salary revealed - sportsnet.ca

-never have and never will like this guy but I like that salary. He makes more money each year than Shea Weber. :lawl:

Do you think that the player agents are to blame for the state that the NHL is in these days along with the players and owners?

VanCanucks Twitter. Guance is signed!!!

god damn, I need hockey

Agents want more $ for their clients, so they can make more $ themselves. This isn't unique to hockey or sports. If the CBA did not have certain restrictions, you wouldn't see the 'crazy' loophole exploitations that we currently see.

Everybody is to blame. Nobody can be solely blamed. You can even blame fans for paying the big $$ to attend games, buying merchandise, etc etc.

True that. I always picture the sleazy agent getting in the ear of the innocent player and getting him to demand a monster contract. Too many Hollywood movies eh :derp:

Michael Grange of Sportsnet wrote a piece today suggesting that the NHLPA led my Fehr won't be making a counter offer exactly, but more of a vision of how Fehr would like the industry to run.

Read it here: Grange on NHL: Let the negotiations begin - sportsnet.ca

I don't know how I feel about this. A luxury tax system may benefit a team like the Canucks whose owner is believed to want to spend at all costs to win.

I'm not sold on the luxury tax scheme. Look at the MLB and how many teams are actually competitive.

Same, dying of no hockey news :okay:

The NBA is a great example of a salary cap system that embeds a luxury tax. Pretty much all small market teams have problems recruiting superstars and elite players because they can't afford them. Most superstars play in big market teams and the teams in smaller markets are never competitive enough to compete, the only exception to that rule is Oklahoma City, where they drafted most of their elite talent.

If a similar system was implemented in the NHL, the smaller markets in Phoenix, Columbus and Florida, would have an even tougher time to compete, and may even relocate.

Why are people so against relocation of a team where there just isn't a market for them?

If people aren't willing to pay in that city, I'm betting that there is another city that will fill up the seats with ease.

Fuck Bettman and his US expansion idea. Phoenix was a TERRIBLE idea and it still is. Look how Glendale is suffering as a result of it.

The NBA is the laughing stock of the pro sports world, a luxury tax doesn't work with north American sports leavues

I'm not against relocation, just stating that it may happen.

I actually went to Glendale a couple weeks ago and it's a pretty cool place. They say it's in the middle of no where when really ya it is but pretty quick to get around with the great freeway system they have.

There's about 6 bars in that one complex and when I stopped by is was going pretty good on a Friday

Somebody should make a meme, if NHL has NBA luxury tax system.

Bynum can get you Howard...does that mean Ballard can get you Weber??????? :fullofwin:

All a luxury tax would do is make it so the semi-rich teams now can't compete with the ultra-rich teams.

I hate to say it but the salary cap made the NHL much more competitive and equal. Sure, some teams are bottom feeders but we have at least 20 playoff worthy teams each year. Who's gonna win the NBA? Oh right the Lakers or Heat.

Here is what Brendan Ross from Dobbler Hockey wrote for their Fantasy Guide on Canuck prospect Guance:

Thats always a good thing to see

The thing with these player ratings - are they ever NOT complimentary?