Theory Crafting Next Year's Cap

[MCDevils]

All indicators point to a $2M increase at a minimum, so I factored that in for the calculations.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Zach Parise ($6.666m) / Travis Zajac ($3.887m) / Nick Palmieri ($0.801m)
Ilya Kovalchuk ($6.666m) / Patrik Elias ($6.000m) / Mattias Tedenby ($0.875m)
Brian Rolston ($5.062m) / Jacob Josefson ($0.900m) / Dainius Zubrus ($3.400m)
Vladimir Zharkov ($0.850m) / Dave Steckel ($1.100m) / David Clarkson ($2.666m)
/ Rod Pelley ($0.550m)

DEFENSEMEN
Anton Volchenkov ($4.250m) / Henrik Tallinder ($3.375m)
Colin White ($3.000m) / Bryce Salvador ($2.900m)
Mark Fayne ($0.542m) / Andy Greene ($2.000m)
Matthew Taormina ($0.510m)

GOALTENDERS
Martin Brodeur ($5.200m) / Johan Hedberg ($1.500m)

BUYOUTS: Jay Pandolfo ($0.833m) / Andrew Peters ($0.166m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $61,500,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,704,168; BONUSES: $240,000
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): -$2,204,168

 

[MCDevils]

NOTE: I get that this calculation is 2.3M OVER. But we're going to be in the same situation we were in last season. Someone's got to go.

 

[devs30rko]

White, Salvador or zubes.... sorry boys

 

[TheRobotDevil]

White, Salvador or zubes.... sorry boys

Hate to say it but Zubes would make tghe most sense he would clear up over an extra million past MC's number and you could plug Clarkson into his spot and have A stronger defense.Assuming Salvadore is able to play.

 

[MCDevils]

I can't imagine anyone taking Salvador after sitting out an entire year with a concussion. I actually think that Clarkson would be the easiest to trade, but I like him more then Zubrus. If only we could move Rolston (wishful thinking). I don't think Clarkson's as good defensively as Zubrus either.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Just think of the type of player we could get with Rolston's salary. Aside from him we have a ton of flexibility. Hedberg may not be back or if he is it may be for less. Couple of those guys could be sent to the minors if needed (Salvador, Steckel). Summer 2012 should be interesting.

 

[devs30rko]

i really won't be suprised to see steckel buried in the minors or traded again.

unfortuenately i think its going to be zubes or clarky that gets traded, which in my opinion are the two clear cut guys you don't want to trade of your realistic options.

however our youth is impressing, and drafting so high, it sounds like its potentially very realistic that coutourier could fall to us. his rankings have slipped which sucks, it doesn't make you optomistic about what he could be but he's still a very high pick and very highly praised. he would slot into zubes role very well if we took a forward

 

[devs30rko]

i should say could and potentially lol my bad folks

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I like Zubrus, and he may be the type of player that you don't fully appreciate what you had until he's gone, but he seems like the most logical one to go. Problem is we really don't have much size up front and he would need to be replaced with a big body capable of producing some offense.

 

[devs30rko]

Which is why I say you make that trade if we end up w coutoureir or well if coutourier is even worth it, but is touted as big and an effective playmate, similar to Joe Thornton,but that also means we don't address our puck moving d need

 

[MCDevils]

Maybe I'm just going crazy here or simply am at a loss for what we should do with a pick that high, since we're not used to this, but let me run this by you.

When was the last time we had a pick this high? Niedermayer, right?

It's one thing for a team who has perpetual poor years to take a "risky" pick that high, however, we're probably not going to be this bad next season, so I almost would rather take a more conservative player with a known upside, than a player with a higher potential with an unknown upside.

Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[kellmit]

As long as we don't take Hopkins I will be happy... dude is all offense on defense

 

[devs30rko]

Maybe I'm just going crazy here or simply am at a loss for what we should do with a pick that high, since we're not used to this, but let me run this by you.

When was the last time we had a pick this high? Niedermayer, right?

It's one thing for a team who has perpetual poor years to take a "risky" pick that high, however, we're probably not going to be this bad next season, so I almost would rather take a more conservative player with a known upside, than a player with a higher potential with an unknown upside.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Of the top prospects its hard to single one out but you'll probably end up w couourier in an ideal world if you go w that philosophy. It's tough to say. Realistically if Larsson is gone at out pick its anyone's guess who we take

 

[The2000cup]

i may be the only one to really feel this way but isn't this a free agent year for Andy Greene?.. i say let him go!.. Let Taormina take his spot.. we have a good amount of serviceable defenseman for a bottom pairing or a back up.. and i liked taormina's play when he got to play.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

i may be the only one to really feel this way but isn't this a free agent year for Andy Greene?.. i say let him go!.. Let Taormina take his spot.. we have a good amount of serviceable defenseman for a bottom pairing or a back up.. and i liked taormina's play when he got to play.

I like Greene but can also completely agree with that.wish Tao didn't go down the added experience would have served him well.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I disagree with letting Greene walk. If we can get him for a reasonable price ($1.5?) then I say absolutely keep him because when he is carrying the puck and playing well he can really change the dynamic of this team.

The young guys will get their chances as I see Salvador and White potentially being gone after this year and it's not set in stone that guys like Fayne and Salmela are on the roster next year.. If I had a choice I'd rather get rid of Salmela (trade?). While he got better the 2nd half he really doesn't do that much for me. His offensive ability doesn't make up for his defensive lapses.

 

[nj_cup]

zubrus is getting paid way too much and when you need to cut salary he is the most obvious choice plain and simple.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

zubrus is getting paid way too much and when you need to cut salary he is the most obvious choice plain and simple.

Completely agree with you cup I think Zubrus would be the most cost effective choice and easiest to replace

 

[devs30rko]

If tubes goes I'm gonna assume you end up w a Sean coutourier at the draft

 

[MCDevils]

Don't forget about the huge issue that could be created by no bonus cushion + the cost of a high pick. Look how much most top 5s are getting paid. With no new CBA and no cap cushion, whatever he sign's at, including bonuses, is what he gets paid. Now with Tedenby and JJ who have like 50K bonuses, who cares.. IF you have a player like Jeff Skinner. His salary would be about 1.5M same with Cam Fowler.

So basically as long as we're closer to 5th, we'll be fine, BUT if we get a top 2 paying them is a significant concern.