Comments on: Hey Jason, Anson – Getting Lonely?

By: ranger_fan

ranger_fan — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:00:59 +0000

And yet the hockeybuzz has reported that a deal with half of those players would get done “by this weekend” 8 of the last 9 weeks. I just went to the website and I see Eklund saying the Habs are frontrunners to Dumont, then Garth I think said that Gainey hasn’t even made an offer to him!?!?! Folks, I tried to plead with everyone to stop listening to Eklund from February of 05 to this day. It is a waste of time, and a false hope for all those involved in the rumours. I am sorry to those who have wasted their money on that b.s.

By: Gretzkin

Gretzkin — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 14:42:41 +0000

Hey Guys and Gal, what are my best bets for Hockey Pools this year?

Not players, actual pools.

I don't have an "office" pool to get involved in, and my freinds only arrange playoff pools, but I always hit December and regret not getting involved in any, except HTR's pool, of course.

Man I got schooled in the regular season, but ended up tied for 4th in the playoffs. FUN!

Any suggestions?

By: NHLman

NHLman — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:39:54 +0000

What’s going on with Eric Daze, he was a UFA and I don’t think anyone signed him. I would take a chance on him.

By: mike11

mike11 — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:36:59 +0000

dump bonk to waashington for a low pick and sign JP

By: kamullia

kamullia — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:06:23 +0000

There are good players who are out but cannot be fit into the cap, is basically what you are saying. Who is to blame for this? Is it a problem?

First off, there are teams who have the room for the players under the cap, therefore it is not a cap issue per se. If all 30 teams were to that point, then it would be a cap issue.

For those who do have a cap problem, they have to look at their lineup and contracts. Chances are extremely good that their management at some point overpaid for the services of some of their players, and that is the reason they are there.

In the event there is a cap problem in one team that those unsigned players are looking to sign into, the blame is not just squarely on management, because players accepting the highest bidder do drive the price up. Therefore fellow players of those unsigned share part of the blame. There are very few players who agree to sign to lower or fair market value, and thus prices tend to rise. But this issue is being put in check by the new system, which is basically saying, you cannot overpay for players, keeping management and players in check. I say there is no problem; it is just the system self-adjusting itself.

I might be in the minority, but I would not be totally surprised if the escrow goes into effect this year and the players have to pay back to teams. Those arbitration salaries were mostly ridiculously high.

In the end, I see Carter and other worthy players finding a team, do not worry. The ones who do not, chances are past their prime long enough that teams have found youngsters who are capable or a reasonable facsimile. In those cases, it is time to retire.

By: kamullia

kamullia — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 09:46:48 +0000

If by “CAN all get about 3 million” you mean per year, I have to disagree with Perreault. I can not see anyone giving him anywhere near that much. If they do, they will grossly overpay.

By: papichulo71

papichulo71 — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 09:37:05 +0000

I see the cap staying the same.

The popularity of hockey in the States is not going through exponential growth.

By: ericthered1961

ericthered1961 — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 09:35:20 +0000

Aha…:-)….smoke another one.

By: Dobber

Dobber — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 08:28:10 +0000

I don't think we'll see a big rise in the cap for a few years. I would bet that three years from now the cap may be one million higher than it is now. This was their big jump, to compensate for their earlier caution.

The league needs to market their players better, if they want more revenue (and thus a higher cap).

I love the cap, too. But I recommend Mike Brophy's "Overtime" column in the latest Hockey News. He makes a good point. As teams sign three or four players to ridiculously high contracts, the amount of players making $500K-800K grows. Down the road, their may be discension. When 16 guys make 10% of what three guys make on their team...that's not exactly promoting team spirit.

By: ccrashh

ccrashh — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 08:26:31 +0000

There are rules regarding how a cap can increase. The cap will only increase if revenues increase (and there are levels that need to be met). How likely do you think that is? League revenues have been fairly static for a number of years and the only reason there was an increase is because the 2005-06 cap was a negotiated value, not something based on revenue.

I don't see an increase for next year.