Episode 65 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast 09-03-2023

Episode 65 of the Hockey Free For All Podcast Content

#1. NHL player signings and contract news

#2. The Arizona Coyotes sign head coach Andre Tourigny to a new 3-year contract.

#3. Thankfully, the N.Y. Rangers have resigned left wing Alexis Lafreiere to a 2-year, which puts an end to yet another insane and relentless rumor of how the Montreal Canadiens should give away a ridiculous amount of prospects and draft capital and trade for him, or offer sheet him, like the Carolina Hurricane did with Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

#4. Austin Matthews signs 4-year 53-million-dollar contract to stay in Toronto. Hats off to the agent of Austin Matthews for negotiating that contract, but there is absolutely no way Austin Mattews is worth more than Conner McDavid. Sorry. Season by season statistics, individual value to their team, and who makes the players on the ice better just because of their presence are not even close, Conner McDavid wins hands down.

#5. The short term contracts that free agents are signing this off-season are a direct bi-product of no cap space. There’s nothing more to it than that.

#6. The NHL does not have anywhere near the TV or other revenue streams that the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball or the premier and other leagues in soccer do. If it’s believed that player contracts in the NHL should in any way approach, let alone equal contract values of the other mentioned leagues, everyone should prepare themselves to watch the bankruptcy of the entire sport of hockey.

#7. Michael Andlauer’s bid to buy the Ottawa Senators has been approved by the league and its committee according to reports. The future of the Ottawa Senators is the brightest it’s ever been in the history of the team.

#8. Rookie and full team training camps are right around the corner.