The NHL's new salary structure (graphic)
Of course, it's relatively early to paint an accurate portrayal of how NHL teams will deal with the free agent frenzy, but this graphic does have some surprises. Who knew, for instance, that the Phoenix Coyotes had 21 players signed already? Or that the Vancouver Canucks have the eighth most financial muscle available?
This doesn't take into account how many restricted free agents teams have yet to sign, but as that happens, I'll be sure to update it.
This doesn't take into account how many restricted free agents teams have yet to sign, but as that happens, I'll be sure to update it.
by James Mirtle @ 2:01 AM
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5 comments
5 Comments:
Goddamned Islanders. 4 players under contract, but they are in the middle of the pack salary-wise? Every other team that has around the same # of players signed is in the top 6 or 7 (excluding the Rangers, of course). This doesn't paint too bright of a future for Isles.
I hope they have enough cash to buy out Yashin, and hopefully let Milbury go too.
Buying out Yashin would cost a fortune, considering he's only four (I believe) years into the deal he signed with the Islanders. For a guy who will turn 32 in November, he's got six years remaining at $10-million a season ($7.6 after the rollback). With a buyout sitting at 67 per cent, it would cost ownership
just over $30-million, all in one shot, to buy him out.
Unfortunately for the Isles, they are stuck with this monstrosity of a contract for at least a few more years. If Milbury doesn't get canned for that, I don't know what more wrong he can do.
Who do you think the Islanders would go after if they had to go after somebody?
He could always win the lottery and then not draft Crosby... that'd get him fired. Or he could draft him, send him to the minors and then trade him for next to nothing to for next year's top pick. Oh wait... didn't he already try that with Luongo/Dipietro?
Nice suggestions Ben.
Who would the Islanders go after? Well, the team will be set in goal the next few years so that's not a concern. However, they can use help almost everywhere else.
Since Yashin is by default the centrepiece of the team's offence, Milbury would be wise (an odd turn of phrase) to get another sniper to complement the team's offense. A player of the likes of former Isle Zigmund Palffy would be a fantastic fit, provided they have the cap room to squeeze him in. Make no mistake, as much as I like Trent Hunter, if he leads this team in scoring again, they won't make the playoffs (again).
The backend looks even worse on the island. Ken Jonsson is staying in Sweden, Roman Hamrlik and Adrian Aucoin are UFAs and Janne Niinimaa needs a new contract. At best, Milbury can retain two of the above, as the team has been packing a few too many just-below-elite defenders for too long now. How they can lose a key cog like an Aucoin and improve over last season, I don't know.
They are going to struggle with that Yashin contract for a long time.
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