Fogghorn wrote:
I suspect that the outlook for the Avs only looks as bad as it does when focused on the Avs. We know all know about the issues for the team we follow but who can keep up with all the teams in the NHL and have a really broad and complete perspective. Canucks have cap issues, same as Edmonton, Vegas, Boston, Toronto and even NYI and those are just the ones I know about. I'm guessing there are 20-25 teams with cap constraints. And the very bottom teams rebuilding such as SJ, Chicago, Anaheim don't want excess cap at this point and won't be chasing free agents and driving up the FA market price. They'll utilize their cap space to gain prospects along with the large salaries they take in.
If I'm even close to correct it may be that salaries will remain pretty stagnant for the next few years. I'm thinking if the cap goes up 4 mil a year every year for 3 years then we'll see a jump. Even with the $4 mil jump this year, I don't think there will be that much of a jump for players salaries, and the worry we have about our respective teams wont be as bad as we think.
For the Canucks rumour has it that Zadorov wants $5 mil, Hronek and Lindholm $8.5. I think the Nucks let them walk, and they'll find out the FA market is not anywhere near as good as they are hoping. That's my guess how it plays out. Lots of guys going to FA, and not getting what they thought they would.
Very valid point, the cap is slated to rise but probably not enough to really make the FA market too lucrative for them.
Also, there's been a concerted push by the PA to focus more on raising the ceiling rather than the overall average. The former benefits star players, the latter benefits midlevel guys. With escrow continuing to be a big issue, some stars have spoken out and I think we will see some record-setting contracts for the very best in the league, but conversely we will see some walking back of paydays for the mid-to-bottom rung guys.