If he gets off to a hot start, Steen might burst down the door trying to get him to sign before his value gets too high for comfort. They have loads of cap space next summer, but Neighbours, Mailloux and Hofer will also need new deals. With any luck they'll all deserve big raises too. It'll be interesting to see who signs first. I'm sure they don't want to wait too long on all of them.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 8:38 am These contracts are really making me wonder what Snuggerud is going to end up signing for next year. Certainly don't think he'll be coming in at the 15 million mark, but if he has a great season, there's a good chance he'll be the highest paid player on the team and maybe be the first to crack 10 million?
And when you have that many RFA's you run the risk of being a offer sheet target cause teams know they can poison pill the contracts to make it hard to sign all 4.Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 9:33 amIf he gets off to a hot start, Steen might burst down the door trying to get him to sign before his value gets too high for comfort. They have loads of cap space next summer, but Neighbours, Mailloux and Hofer will also need new deals. With any luck they'll all deserve big raises too. It'll be interesting to see who signs first. I'm sure they don't want to wait too long on all of them.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 8:38 am These contracts are really making me wonder what Snuggerud is going to end up signing for next year. Certainly don't think he'll be coming in at the 15 million mark, but if he has a great season, there's a good chance he'll be the highest paid player on the team and maybe be the first to crack 10 million?
I would think they'd be willing to sign Hofer and Neighbours yesterday, but would want to see a bit more from the other two, especially Mailloux. With Snuggerud I think it makes sense to at least want to see a little bit of proof of concept, and will make a strong push to sign him by Thanksgiving if he has the expected start. Obviously the players have to want to sign as well. We'll see what Steen's strategy is, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these guys sign before the season starts.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 10:58 amAnd when you have that many RFA's you run the risk of being a offer sheet target cause teams know they can poison pill the contracts to make it hard to sign all 4.Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 9:33 amIf he gets off to a hot start, Steen might burst down the door trying to get him to sign before his value gets too high for comfort. They have loads of cap space next summer, but Neighbours, Mailloux and Hofer will also need new deals. With any luck they'll all deserve big raises too. It'll be interesting to see who signs first. I'm sure they don't want to wait too long on all of them.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 8:38 am These contracts are really making me wonder what Snuggerud is going to end up signing for next year. Certainly don't think he'll be coming in at the 15 million mark, but if he has a great season, there's a good chance he'll be the highest paid player on the team and maybe be the first to crack 10 million?
My assumption, assuming he plays well is they will want to get Hofer locked in first.
I'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 1:21 pmI would think they'd be willing to sign Hofer and Neighbours yesterday, but would want to see a bit more from the other two, especially Mailloux. With Snuggerud I think it makes sense to at least want to see a little bit of proof of concept, and will make a strong push to sign him by Thanksgiving if he has the expected start. Obviously the players have to want to sign as well. We'll see what Steen's strategy is, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these guys sign before the season starts.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 10:58 amAnd when you have that many RFA's you run the risk of being a offer sheet target cause teams know they can poison pill the contracts to make it hard to sign all 4.Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 9:33 am
If he gets off to a hot start, Steen might burst down the door trying to get him to sign before his value gets too high for comfort. They have loads of cap space next summer, but Neighbours, Mailloux and Hofer will also need new deals. With any luck they'll all deserve big raises too. It'll be interesting to see who signs first. I'm sure they don't want to wait too long on all of them.
My assumption, assuming he plays well is they will want to get Hofer locked in first.
He's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:08 amI'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 1:21 pmI would think they'd be willing to sign Hofer and Neighbours yesterday, but would want to see a bit more from the other two, especially Mailloux. With Snuggerud I think it makes sense to at least want to see a little bit of proof of concept, and will make a strong push to sign him by Thanksgiving if he has the expected start. Obviously the players have to want to sign as well. We'll see what Steen's strategy is, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these guys sign before the season starts.DPW wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 10:58 am
And when you have that many RFA's you run the risk of being a offer sheet target cause teams know they can poison pill the contracts to make it hard to sign all 4.
My assumption, assuming he plays well is they will want to get Hofer locked in first.
I kind of think he's going to be a really good 3rd line player, who in a pinch can slide up to fill in but you don't want him top 6 all season. What that price is, remains to be seen. Does he really deserve more than Mcmichael?
He hasn't touched that number yet so that would be more of what you're projecting him to be versus what he actually is. Hope he becomes that, but if that's what they plan to pay him as, then he's going to be another one coming in at that 8 million range which could be a lot if he's really just a solid 3rd liner(which is not a slight against him)Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:44 amHe's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:08 amI'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 1:21 pm
I would think they'd be willing to sign Hofer and Neighbours yesterday, but would want to see a bit more from the other two, especially Mailloux. With Snuggerud I think it makes sense to at least want to see a little bit of proof of concept, and will make a strong push to sign him by Thanksgiving if he has the expected start. Obviously the players have to want to sign as well. We'll see what Steen's strategy is, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these guys sign before the season starts.
I kind of think he's going to be a really good 3rd line player, who in a pinch can slide up to fill in but you don't want him top 6 all season. What that price is, remains to be seen. Does he really deserve more than Mcmichael?
CBA rules take affect Sept. 16th 2026 meaning the last day to offer/sign an 8yr contract is Sept. 15th 2026Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:44 amHe's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:08 amI'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?Dave's a mess wrote: Mon Jul 20, 2026 1:21 pm
I would think they'd be willing to sign Hofer and Neighbours yesterday, but would want to see a bit more from the other two, especially Mailloux. With Snuggerud I think it makes sense to at least want to see a little bit of proof of concept, and will make a strong push to sign him by Thanksgiving if he has the expected start. Obviously the players have to want to sign as well. We'll see what Steen's strategy is, but I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of these guys sign before the season starts.
I kind of think he's going to be a really good 3rd line player, who in a pinch can slide up to fill in but you don't want him top 6 all season. What that price is, remains to be seen. Does he really deserve more than Mcmichael?
Neither had Tippett. He got there the season he signed his deal. $6.2 AAV isn't going to be what it used to be in the coming years. That's just my guess. He's young and a great culture guy, so I'm ok if he gets ever so slightly overpaid. To answer your original question, I don't think he deserves more than McMichael, but would be surprised if he doesn't get a long term deal with an AAV in the $6Ms.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:51 amHe hasn't touched that number yet so that would be more of what you're projecting him to be versus what he actually is. Hope he becomes that, but if that's what they plan to pay him as, then he's going to be another one coming in at that 8 million range which could be a lot if he's really just a solid 3rd liner(which is not a slight against him)Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:44 amHe's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:08 am
I'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?
I kind of think he's going to be a really good 3rd line player, who in a pinch can slide up to fill in but you don't want him top 6 all season. What that price is, remains to be seen. Does he really deserve more than Mcmichael?
That's a good point. Personally I don't care much about the extra year for a guy that young one way or the other. Get the AAV right.Ozzies09tc wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:58 amCBA rules take affect Sept. 16th 2026 meaning the last day to offer/sign an 8yr contract is Sept. 15th 2026Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:44 amHe's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:08 am
I'm still not 100% sure on what Neighbours is. Is he the 15 goal scorer of last year, the near 30 a couple years ago? The inbetween of 20 he was in 24-25?
I kind of think he's going to be a really good 3rd line player, who in a pinch can slide up to fill in but you don't want him top 6 all season. What that price is, remains to be seen. Does he really deserve more than Mcmichael?
So do you sign him for the extra year for what we hope he becomes?
Or do you wait and see the production and get him for a 7yr contract?
I'm glad I'm not the one making decisions
Tippet was just coming off a 49 point season and in the middle of a 28 goal 53 point season when he signed his contract, so while factual correct, it's a bit bad faith.. Neighbours is coming off of a 36 point season which is which I mentioned him being a 50 point guy is a projection, not his current reality.Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 10:15 amNeither had Tippett. He got there the season he signed his deal. $6.2 AAV isn't going to be what it used to be in the coming years. That's just my guess. He's young and a great culture guy, so I'm ok if he gets ever so slightly overpaid. To answer your original question, I don't think he deserves more than McMichael, but would be surprised if he doesn't get a long term deal with an AAV in the $6Ms.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:51 amHe hasn't touched that number yet so that would be more of what you're projecting him to be versus what he actually is. Hope he becomes that, but if that's what they plan to pay him as, then he's going to be another one coming in at that 8 million range which could be a lot if he's really just a solid 3rd liner(which is not a slight against him)Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:44 am
He's a 50 point middle six guy that doesn't kill penalties, but is hugely important in the room. I bet he comes in around an Owen Tippett deal. They'll be about the same age at time of signing. Similar roles at the time. Tippett had produced a bit more and had a slightly better draft pedigree (10th overall vs. 26...shouldn't matter but does), but with the cap going up a decent amount over the last couple years, 8x$6.2 seems about right.
Neighbours missed 13 games last season. He was on a 43 point pace in the games he played last year, but I'm willing to bet he wasn't 100% when he came back. He had 48 points 2 years ago when he played 82 games. I'm not trying to say he's better or worse than Tippett, I'm just pointing to it as an obvious comparison. He may or may not put up 50 points this year, but that's an extremely reasonable expectation. It's not bad faith, it's just comparison with arbitrary benchmarks.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 12:40 pmTippet was just coming off a 49 point season and in the middle of a 28 goal 53 point season when he signed his contract, so while factual correct, it's a bit bad faith.. Neighbours is coming off of a 36 point season which is which I mentioned him being a 50 point guy is a projection, not his current reality.Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 10:15 amNeither had Tippett. He got there the season he signed his deal. $6.2 AAV isn't going to be what it used to be in the coming years. That's just my guess. He's young and a great culture guy, so I'm ok if he gets ever so slightly overpaid. To answer your original question, I don't think he deserves more than McMichael, but would be surprised if he doesn't get a long term deal with an AAV in the $6Ms.DPW wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:51 am
He hasn't touched that number yet so that would be more of what you're projecting him to be versus what he actually is. Hope he becomes that, but if that's what they plan to pay him as, then he's going to be another one coming in at that 8 million range which could be a lot if he's really just a solid 3rd liner(which is not a slight against him)
I could stomach 6.2 million a year for Neighbours, but if it's going to be something that comes in for 7-8 million, I'd be open to moving him
Yeah I saw this. I'm cautiously optimistic. Awaiting further news.Dave's a mess wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 9:20 am
TC this might be very good news....or not any news whatsoever. But MAYBE it's good news.
two years 8aavDPW wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 8:10 am Kane is back to the Blackhawks.
Excited to watch them completely suck
That's wild. Highest AAV since he signed for $10.5x8 on July 9, 2014. I fully understand them wanting him back to have somebody to play with Bedard that doesn't shit their pants whenever they have the puck, but man, did Kane somehow find him self the subject of a bidding war?
wait... Patricia Kane??
Bedard's minus 98 in 215GP aint going to be improving any time soon.Dave's a mess wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 1:03 pm I don't like Kane, he doesn't play any defense and he's slow now, but he's still very good offensively and there's a lot a guy like Bedard can learn from him...on the ice. I think it makes sense for the Hawks even though they paid about double what they should have, but I still think their rebuild is going terribly.
Buffalo is going to be interesting this season. They've had a very busy offseason, but I'm not sure they're actually any better, and there's a reasonable case they're worse. If they get off to a slow start there's going to be a lot of anxiety about last year being a fluke, even though I think they're far different than the "same old Sabres".
