How the salary cap will affect the Blackhawks and Wild in the offseason, plus the latest on Vincent Lecavalier.
Blackhawks will shed salary this summer.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Sharp remains a likely trade candidate this summer.
ESPN.COM: Scott Powers reports the combination of a marginal increase in the salary can and limited cap space will force the Chicago Blackhawks to make salary-dumping deals this summer. The salary cap for 2015-16 is now projected to come in around $71 million, while the Blackhawks have over $66 million invested in 13 players for next season. GM Stan Bowman intends to re-sign restricted free agent forwards Brandon Saad and Marcus Kruger, and he could re-sign defenseman David Rundblad. Forwards Bryan Bickell ($4 million cap hit), Kris Versteeg ($2.2 million), Andrew Shaw ($2 million) and Patrick Sharp ($5.9 million) are possible trade candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been speculation defenseman Brent Seabrook ($5.8 million and eligible next summer for UFA status) could also be dealt, but that’s not going to happen. Seabrook is invaluable to their blueline corps, plus he’s also among only three experienced defensemen (Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson being the others) under contract for next season. It’s possible they could lose Seabrook for nothing to free agency next summer if the cap again marginally increases and he proves too expensive to re-sign, but they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it. Sharp and Bickell are the likely trade candidates this summer.
Wild won’t be busy in UFA market.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Michael Russo reports limited cap space will keep the Minnesota Wild out of this summer’s free-agent bidding wars. With the cap projected to reach $71 million, the Wild have nearly $62 million invested in next season’s payroll. They must also re-sign goaltender Devan Dubnyk and center Mikael Granlund.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Re-signing those two will eat up a big chunk of the Wild’s limited cap space. While they could perhaps dip into the shallow UFA pool for a depth player, I don’t see them pursuing any of the few decent stars available this summer.
How will Flyers new coach affect Lecavalier’s status?
CSNPHILLY.COM: Tom Dougherty and Tim Riday recently discussed how the Flyers hiring Dave Hakstol as head coach could affect veteran forward Vincent Lecavalier. Both agree Lecavalier remains a poor fit with the Flyers. Riday also noted a report from Hockeybuzz.com’s Bill Meltzer claiming Lecavalier “is due a $2 million installment on his signing bonus this summer and it likely must be paid to him on July 1, 2015.” After that, “the Flyers and Lecavalier could come to a mutual contract termination agreement”, which would allow Lecavalier to become an unrestricted free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a contract termination might be the best way for the Flyers to finally part ways with Lecavalier. As Travis Hughes of Broad Street Hockey observed, “The Flyers would still have to pay that $2 million bonus against next year’s salary cap, but that’s not really the end of the world. Look at it like a $2 million buy out for one easy year and wash your hands of the guy. It’s not a bad solution at all, and it’s certainly better than staying on the hook for the rest of the contract because Hextall can’t move Vinny in a trade … but of course it requires both sides to agree to it.” Mutual contract terminations are rare but it does happen, as in the case of Damien Brunner and the New Jersey Devils.
Fat chance vinny agrees to leave the team. How and why would you walk away from another few years at 4 mil when you will never get that money again?
Chicago will be in trouble. Whether it’s this year or next, the big contracts they have will handcuff them into making a deal that won’t be beneficial to them. It’s hard to move a guy like sharp after his play last night. Unless you feel Saad can step up and replace him, still, Saad will be looking for around 4-5 million in my opinion. I’m looking forward to the draft 🙂
I agree about Lecavalier. Why would he throw away something like $15 million for $2 million. Philly screwed up by throwing this ridiculous contract his way, and it is just the most recent ridiculous contract they threw to someone (a la Bryzgalov) and now they must pay the price – literally. I’m not so sure about Seabrook being retained, despite the lack of experience behind him argument. No one thought Ryan Suter would leave long-time partner Shea Weber but he did, and thrived as a true #1 guy – maybe Seabrook wants that too.
Well Like Suter, Seabrook may eventually leave via free agency but unlike Suter who went to play with his long time friend I haven’t heard the same scenario around Seabrook.
In both situations their current teams wanted to retain their services but a bid during free agency moved Suter out and very well could move Seabrook out. Yet the analysis is correct here. The Hawks D drops off quite a bit after their top 3/4 and what I have seen this season and during the playoffs the Blackhawks would be insane not to find another way to cut salary. Seabrook does everything for them.
Lecavalier’s contract was heavily front-loaded. Once the 2 million USD installment is paid out, he will have received 14 million USD of the total 22.5 million in the contract. He’d ‘only’ be leaving 8.5 million USD on the table for 3 seasons. If the Flyers bought him out before the signing bonus is paid, he’d receive only 7 million USD from the Flyers over the next 6 seasons (1.17 million/year) instead of the 10.5 million he has yet to receive. Note that this is the ACV of the contract and has nothing to do with the cap hit, which would be a little higher (1.5 million/year) over the same time period.
Considering that he’s still receiving 2.14 million USD/year from Tampa for the next 12 years (!) from his first buyout, the chance to be productive somewhere else might well be an option he’d choose. If Philly and Vinny don’t agree to mutually terminate, they might well keep him around for another season to see how he does under Hakstol, which could result in more of the same as an oft-healthy scratch.
Well said Pelle! Money is not, as you have described, an issue for Lecavalier. This is a proud player. He wants to play and play well on a team that is better suited to his playing style. He’d sign on somewhere for maybe 1 year at 2 million and have a chance to end his career on his terms.
If he was a proud player he would have been in better physical condition and prolonged his usefulness… He’ll stay for the money is my expectation and then he’s done.
When was the last time you walked away from 7 mil? Haha I’m kidding but in all honesty, Vinny has made lots of money in his career but it’s hard for anyone to walk away from guaranteed money. Especially when he has declined so much that it will be tough for anyone to take a chance on him.
MikeyJ and thirstydeer for that matter.. you do not understand. the first thing you need to do is go a site capgeek. try http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams/PHI?year=2015
Do some research and understand just what are the real dollars left on the deal.
Then reread Pelle Schultz’s post. He did a nice job of explaining a few of the options. The Flyers could simply threaten him with a buy out. Another scenario is a team that needs cap dollars to get to the floor. Since his contract is front loaded his cap numbers are higher than this his real dollar number and thus might be attractive. Your welcome
Lecavalier is no6 on the all-time top earnings list in the NHL. As of early 2014, he had made a total of $87.3M…
Lecavalier was in shape. To say otherwise is simply untrue. If you have evidence, please cite your source.
With this year’s weak free agent pool, and teams like Florida and NJ actively looking for a top six winger, I don’t see it being hard to move Sharp at all. I can even see them getting a decent return for him.
I’ve heard that he won’t be that expensive. Chicago would like the salary relief it provides and would only want (mid) prospect and draft pick (no2?) back. If that is the case I think Montreal should go for it. They could use the veteran influence. Sharp is very clutch and calm under pressure. They could go with Plekanec, Sharp, Galchenyuk as top 3 C. That would provide relief on Galchenyuk as he matures into his new role.
I’ll give you 3 reasons why Vinny may do it: 1. His cap hit is 4.5 mil for the next 3 yrs but that’s not his actual salary. His salary drops during the final three seasons (as most contracts do). Don’t quote me on this but I believe it’s somewhere around 2 or 2.5 mil. So he’d would be giving up close to 6-7 mil not 13.5.
2 he is still getting paid and will be for SEVERAL more hrs from Tampa on that HUGE contract they bought him out of
3. The guy only has a few more yrs left to plat realistically. Do you think he wants to spend that time riding the pine or playing? He still has a lot of heart and I believe this is the biggest reason he may just agree to a mutual contract termination.
True, I will give you the only reason he will do it. If he can become confident enough that another team will sign him. If no one wants him he won’t walk away from 5-6 million.
Didn’t read this comment earlier (learn to scroll!), but this is substantively the same argument I made. With as much money as Vinny has already earned and what Tampa is still paying him for 12 more years, it’s unlikely that 7-8 million USD would truly be a sticking point if he wants to end his career on a high(er) note.
I think it’s a process of elimination. Hextall couldn’t trade him (because he refuses to take back a bad contract) and won’t buy him out. Lecavalier won’t move to Europe or KHL. What’s left is this option. It’s inevitable.
If someone like Versteeg could be had for very little just to clear room for CHI (such as a 3-5th round pick), I’d hope NJ would take a stab at him if for no other reason to have one more expiring contract that could actually be more valuable around the trade deadline. Also it would keep them from signing any of this over-valued “talent” coming in this UFA pool. It becomes a race to see who will be this year’s Ryan Clowe/David Clarkson contract everyone knows the team will regret.
I’m with you there – although I would have said ” … this year’s Ryan Clowe/David Clarkson/Dave Bolland contract.” How Tallon ever figures that guy was worth a 5-year $5/5 mil cap hit is beyond me. That’s why I think a player like Beleskey is going to get that and maybe more.
The salary cap projections also includes the 5% escalator. I doubt the NHLPA will vote in the escalator this next season. It will be an interesting off season this year.
The reason Vinny would agree to terminate is because he believes he can still play at a high level and wants that chance. He won’t get it with the Flyers and Hackstol. Sure he’d be giving up $10 mil from the flyers but he’s getting almost $2m a year for the next 10 years from Tampa. At this point I don’t think it would be a money issue for him. Especially if he can get a deal with a new team.
Lecavalier would “only” be leaving $8.5M on the table. He is top 6 on the all-time earnings list in the NHL though with $87.3M so it shouldn’t matter to him. All other avenues regarding his contract has been exhausted by Hextall. Mutual agreement to terminate is the only option left.
If vinnie accepts the termination the flyers will be very fortunate. It all depend on what he values-does he want to play another year in misery or his he satisfied with his bank account and finish his career on a team that he is happy to play on.
agreed….if the relationship is as bad as it seems, he needs to leave town regardless whether he plays for someone right away or not, he doesnt need the cash and he would just be sitting in the press box or worse ….on the farm riding a bus…i like vinny and still think he has some left in the tank …just not in philly and it needs to be on a team that will utilize his present skill set…maybe hometown montreal or nashville…
An alternate scenario is that the Flyers trade Lecavalier and a sweetener (perhaps one of those second round picks Hextall has acquired) to a team trying to reach the cap floor. At this point, it might even be worth the (ironic) move of trading Tampa’s first rounder this year (acquired for Coburn) along with Vinny for a medium-quality prospect.
Hextall will never trade a 1st rounder to dump a player. He cherishes draft picks more than you cherish Pelle Lindbergh and Dave Schultz.
We don’t know what Hexy cherishes (other than 2-handers across the back of opposing forwards’ legs), given that he’s only been GM for a little under a year. And 82-y.o. old Ed Snider wants another cup before he has to suck the life out of wife #6.
I see the Canadiens trading with Chicago ,Edmonton or Columbus and maybe St-Louis. Will see what happens !
I think Vinny will walk away…. he isn’t going to win a 2nd Cup with the Flyers……
As for Chigaco; I find it interesting that we keep hearing that it’s the Vickers and Sharps of that team that are in the block. If it were me, I would be gauging interest in Hossa. I get how good he is, BUT, he is 35 with a cap hit of $7 million per. Is it possible? I don’t know; if I were a GM I would be lukewarm to it. Then again, as a GM I do know I would sooner have Seabrook locked up than an again Hossa who at some point will slow down. Not everyone can be Teemu!
Hossa’s cap hit is 5.223 with 6 years remaining but his contract is 1 that the NHL has tacked claw back money on in the last CBA should he retire early. In real dollars he makes 7.9 next season, then 4.5, then it drops to 1 mil for 2 years & then .750 for the following 2 years. That makes that contract toxic. The recapture penalties are significant.
Yup but don’t those penalties go back to the Blackhawks anyway? Or is it set up that every team that benefited from it get bitten?
I can’t remember exactly someone else might be able to way in on this but I think the penalty is born by the club that signed him. The reason I don’t see Chicago moving Hossa as they would be on the hook later regardless, so better to have him playing for you well he can & does contribute. Not to mention he has a full no movement clause.
I will go hunt this down in the new CBA as time allows.
Even by moving Hossa, since they signed a “circumventing” contract, Chicago would be hit with the salary recapture penalty for the difference in dollars between what they have paid in actual salary and the cap hit over those years. This recapture cap penalty for Chicago will spread out over the remaining years of the initial contract, after Hossas early retirement. (if he doesn’t retire early, none of this apply). So if he retires rather late, the whole recapture penalty can really provide problems. Imagine the whole amount being a cap hit penalty for the one season – that can really provide problems for a GM.
Assume that there was a rebuilding team with lots of money that was about to trade away their expensive players, and as a result would have a lot of cap space that they wouldn’t need for a few years. (Anyone guess who I have in mind?) Is there anything in the collective agreement that would prevent such a team from approaching Chicago and saying: “trade me Sharp, Seabrook and Crawford and I’ll trade them back to you tomorrow and I’ll eat half their salaries in the process. But for this service I want a package of pics or prospects.”? If so Chicago wouldn’t have to dismantle their roster and the rebuilding team would essentially be able to buy prospects or pics.
It’s called the Freddy Braithwaite rule. Philadelphia played that game numerous times. The NHL shut that down years ago. There are time restrictions about players being allowed to return to the team that traded them. That’s not to say something along those lines can’t be accomplished just not that blatantly nor quickly.
I agree it’s going to be very interesting off season. Probably 1 of the most active trading off seasons in decades. Lets hope were not disappointed.
The UFA pool is very shallow for quality players at any position, the cap is essentially stagnant, projected to come in at 71 to 71.5 million, the NHLPA may not approve the escalator which could have the cap potentially not going up at all & over the last 2 seasons we have had numerous GM changes & some teams have stated they are going to rebuild or are still rebuilding, Buffalo, Toronto & Arizona, others that are re-tweaking on the fly, Vancouver, Boston & SJ, others stating they want to challenge for the cup or add top 6 players at forward or top 3 at D, NYI, Flo, NJ, etc, players scrambling to get back to the NHL because the KHL is going broke & others facing very tough cap issues which may force unwanted personal changes.
That said I don’t see wholesale salary dumps for numerous teams to meet the cap if the cap comes in at or near 71 to 71.5. Chicago & NYR have the toughest cap issues & something has to give. The Minnesota’s, Bostons, Vancouver’s, LAs & TBs of the world who are tight against the cap will simple force most of their RFA’s coming off ELCs & for some other players coming off contracts to have to accept their qualifying offers where necessary. If the player doesn’t have arbitration rights what choice will they have.
Its not the greatest way to build loyalty but properly offered & explained it works. Many teams have done it as they’ve had no choice. Boston with Krug & Smith coming out of their ELCs & numerous others. If they are the players they expect to be they’ll get their money anyway probably more if they keep getting better. See Subban & his bridge deal.
These are tough economic conditions currently in the NHL due to the Canadian dollar losing so much ground so quickly with the drop in oil prices. Trading as we speak at .7994 so costing Canadian teams about 25% more to run their businesses than when the dollar was at or near par.
The impact of oil prices in Russia is even more profound. Many teams in the KHL are not able pay players, several are being forced to fold & numerous are being sued for not paying players, coaches, managers & support staff.
As I kind of touched on yesterday, I wouldn’t go licking my chops or drooling over the possibilities from NY or Chicago’s cap problems. Chicago will look to move Sharp, Bickell ,Versteeg. Ny will look to move Talbot, Boyle, possibly Yandle,and maybe even Nash (I doubt that) and worst case scenario Girardi. Although I seriously doubt NY moves Girardi as well. Stepan, Hagelin, McDonagh, Staal, Zuccs, Brassard, Klein I doubt are going anywhere. I think both teams can weather the storm this year without gutting themselves down to the bone. Tampa I think is going to start to really feel the squeeze (I touched on this a few weeks back) But I doubt that fallout starts this year or next. Unless of course they start handing out $6 million dollar deals ( like Edmonton) to cost controlled players like Johnson, Kucherov, Palat, Drouin etc. I doubt they will risk losing Stamkos for ANY one of these guys. I love what Johnson is doing right now…..but a 5’9″ center?…. I attend plenty of Tampa games, And 5’9″ is a generous for Johnson!
Agreed.
I think Chicago moves Sharp & Bickell if someone will take Bickell at 4 mil for 2 more years. As stated previously Chicago may have to add a sweetener with Bickell to move him in Darling or Raanta but if they did I think that can be done easily. Moving Sharp alone & forcing Saad, Kruger & Nordstrom to accept their respective qualifying offers until the cap issues lessons would potential suffice. If they move Bickell it would even allow them to look at retaining Oduya if he accepted a home town discount in or around what he made last season, lets say 3.5.
As for the Rangers not sure how that is going to play out other than St.Louis won’t be back. I don’t see them moving any of the core Dman either, McDonagh, Girardi or Staal. If they can find someone to take Boyle at D I think that might happen. I can’t see them moving Yandle considering he’s great value for them at a 2.625 cap hit. Stepan’s contract is the key. If he takes reasonable money closer 5 as opposed to say 6.5 that would help a ton, then Hagelin, Miller & Fast will all have to accept their qualifying offers unless something else gives. I only see NYR moving Talbot if the return is solid, like a 1st or very high 2nd & mid flight prospect. Otherwise their better to retain him until next seasons trade deadline if not riding him to UFA status as a back up & insurance should Lundqvist get injured.
I think there is a deal with the Islanders to be had. They have a history of trades and need a winger for Tavares. Not sure what Chicago would want but Bailey and a prospect like Mayfield may land the Isles Sharp or Hossa. PersonallY I’m not sure Bailey would fit in Chicago but his salary makes it a 2+ mil savings for the Hawks and an upgrade on wing would only cost the Isles 2+.
Chicago will want to move Sharp & take back picks & prospects. No big league salary today. They want to restock the pipeline for tomorrow.
Like a lot of moves these days they may have to take some cap back. Just the way it is.
If it’s much more than a million that will cause problems. Maybe a player like Lee who’s an RFA, Chicago would only have to be qualifie at around a million & a prospect & pick? Lee would make a potentially good 3rd line fit. Skating’s a little sub par but a big body which in the west is essentially for playing the Likes of LA & Anh when the moneys on the line.
Hockey Guru’s suggestion of Mayfield is sound. Chicago could use a Dman prospect that’s close to playing in the NHL.
Lee, Mayfield & ? for Sharp & possibly a pick to balance depending upon the ?
I see numerous teams stepping up to bid for Sharp if that’s the player Chicago chooses to move. Arz, Flo, Mtl, NJ, NYI, Ott, & SJ; they may want Darling or Raanta as well, all have the cap room & potential need for a player like Sharp.
I think the history of trades for a winger for Tavares has hurt more than helped in the past. I think they are on much more guided / correct way of building. ANYONE that plays with Tavares will shine. I think NYI’s have moved past the idea of being a 1 line team, and will concentrate on being a deeper team in the future.
I thought of Lee but think the Isles will hold on to him.Cizkas is IMO more of a Blackhawk type player but you need more them him and Mayfield.
Agreed. I think that Ny moves Talbot only if the return is too good to turn down, or it costs them a Miller Fast, Stepan, etc. Yandle is a great cap hit, but Ny needs to either swallow 1.5 – 2 million on Boyle or move Yandle. Offensive d-men NEVER seem to work in NY’s system…..Torts or AV’s. I think the best bet is to keep Stepan at under 6 (cap hit) if at all possible. Realistically, I think if NY can free up 2-3 million they will be fine this year.Even if Stepans hit is 6+. St. Louis is GONE. I can’t imagine even Sather would be crazy enough to re-sign this guy.
Totally agree. They paid a huge price to acquire him but mission accomplished. A trip to the cup last season & a good chance their going again this year.
“The impact of oil prices in Russia is even more profound. Many teams in the KHL are not able pay players, several are being forced to fold & numerous are being sued for not paying players, coaches, managers & support staff.”
Not just the oil prices – it’s that combined with the sanctions over their involvement in the Ukraine. Some associated with the KHL are calling it the “Putin factor” – especially those teams not based in Russia. A sudden influx of players from the KHL looking for a more stable contract could make the NHL cap waters even muddier.
I’m not too worried about the Blackhawks. Lots of exiting UFas and a traade or two and they are under the cap. Hossa may have a toxic contract but if he is available I would think a number of teams would consider him. After all there is still a place for Jagr in this NHL so why wouldnt you take Hossa who has a proven track record as well. Bickell, Sharp they can also be moved. One of Sharp or Hossa has to go and then the Hawks are fine.They could even resign Oduya is the desired. All the talk about moving Seabrook is insane, the Hawks need to keep him as seen by these playoffs.
I’m not too worried either for the next couple of seasons. If looking at salaries going out, they should have no problems resigning Seabrook at $8M cap hit (if he wants to stay) while retooling the other players going out (Vermette, Richards, Roszival, Timonen) with NHL talent fleshing out the roster.
The Leddy trade and this years playoff pretty much points to that Seabrook won’t be traded, but pursued to be resigned (as there isn’t defensive depth). Also they’d probably prefer Oduya to stay. Rundblad won’t be resigned after his performance, I think. If they trade away salary, it will be from forward position. Sharp and Bickell are mainly the ones for trade.
Blackhawks seems a little top heavy in talent at the moment. If Chicago can’t restock with sufficient young, cheap NHL talent, they are in trouble as other franchises are on the rise. I’m not completely sold on what Chicago has in their talent pipeline.
Lastly, the possible threat of a Hossa recapture penalty might provide huge problems 3-4 years from now, if he decides to retire. Say Blackhawks made a total of $8M cap benefit from the years Hossa was playing for them, this would have to be recaptured in the short time left of Hossas contract…If that is 2 years, cap recapture hit is $4M/y. If 1 years left, $8M/y…!!! That is worrisome as it could dismantle a whole team.
I just calculated the recapture penalty for Hossa if retiring with two years left (2019) on his cap circumventing contract. It was $8.55M total. Divided for two years it’s $4.275M cap penalty for two years 2019-20, 2020-21). That is problematic. If retiring in 2020, cap penalty is still 4.275M.
After my calculation, just found this link that shows all the recapture cases. We don’t have to calculate anymore! 🙂 Woohoo.
http://capgeek.org/nhl-cap-advantage-recapture-grid/
Nice work Denne. It’s hard to believe that Capgeek stuff is still accessible. Boy is that site missed. Hopefully the NHL will see the value of that data to fans.Ideally they would have purchased his site & incorporated that data into NHL.com.
That’s why moving Hossa is so problematic unless the last CBA allows for that money to be shared by the 2 teams in trade there is zero benefit to Chicago trying to trade him. That said there are other ways you could manipulate money in a trade with Hossa to achieve the same result & if Clarkson can be moved anything is possible.
Leon draistl and Jordan eberle to Montreal vs Thomas Pleckanec ,1st Round pick 2016 ,Nathan Beaulieu ,Lars Eller and Zachary Fucale ……
Gimme odds on that trade?
If seabrooke is in play, I think Edmonton is an obvious trade partner. And I think both sides could benefit immediately as opposed to salary dump for picks.
What do the Oulers trade for a probable rental?
I don’t see Seabrook in play.
As for Vinny the guy oughta retire outright or play out his contract. Nobody wants him so he has ZERO choice.
You trade for Seabrooke with the Oilers only if you can get him to a sign an extension. That seems pretty obvious though to me.