.....for the summertime blues.
For the first time in a while I spent some time reading about hockey this weekend. Sure, I was reading along during the mad rush of free agency and was aware of what took place but to be honest, I had little to no reaction. I can't say for sure if I'm tired of hockey, just plain tired.....or sick of the cap.
I was against this from the beginning based on my thoughts that a team would be forced into decisions that had more to do with $$ than the winning of a game. Let's say you are (were) a Sean Avery fan. Can you really tell me that he wouldn't be a Ranger right now if there was no cap? Do you think Jagr would be playing outside of the NHL this coming season? I'm not suggesting that both players should be on the Rangers roster right now, I'm only using them as an example of decision made with the cap in mind.
Keep in mind, there is both a cap (max) on payroll as well as a minimum. That means teams like the Florida Panthers will have to pay out $40,700,000 even though they can't really afford it. The only thing the cap has done financially is prevent teams that make lots of money from out spending teams that don't.....kinda. Do you really think the Panthers could spend the max?
You know, it's kinda tough to read about 4 year $7.5 million contracts during this tough economy. I'm trying to figure out if I can afford the Center Ice package this year while NHL teams throw around cash and offers that make one's head spin. That said, if I'm an NHL caliber player....I'm taking the cash. But I do wonder why a third or fourth line guy is making the numbers they are these days.
OK, enough of my cap whining..... how about some NHL stuff?
Ted Nolan out as coach of the Isles? Those of you longtime readers know I have supported Ted since his coach of the year award and his subsequent NHL ban. I watched the game that Al Arbor came back for with Ted Nolan along side him behind the bench. I thought it was class. I'm sure that Garth Snow has more and better information than I....but even Islander fans are puzzled by their off season. Here's to hoping that Ted lands another NHL gig. Rumors about Tortorella and Maurice seem legit but really, would you want to coach the Islanders right now? Complain about the Dolan/Sather team all you want......Wang/Snow?
The IIHF nixed six contracts suggesting they aren't within the current guidelines. "The NHL requires its teams to provide proof that a player is free of any existing contracts before the league will register a new deal. Despite the KHL’s position that Filatov, Tikhonov, Mojzis, and Fedorov, are under contract in Russia, Daly said the NHL has documentation stating that they were clear of obligation." Um, wasn't Malkin under contract before sneaking away to the NHL?
Oh yes.....the Rangers. Personally I wanted to see Jagr back for one more year. I guess it was time to move on and having him meant having others who could support his play....and I agree we need to change. I just felt that Jagr helped us get back to the playoffs and have enjoyed watching him. It's OK, my daughter will find another player to latch on to. I guess I'll have to eat crow for this as I did predict the Jagr would be the captain on opening night in the Czech Republic. I was wrong. OK? There I said it.
Avery.....hmmmmm, I'm thinking that a 4 yr deal would not be in the Rangers best interest if it came with a no-trade. Sure, Sean had an impact on the ice but I get the feeling that the longer he was here, the more off ice crap we'd have seen. He'll be back on October 20th at MSG.
Hollweg.....the two hits that sealed his fate were both from behind. For a guy who brings hitting to the game you'd think he'd have learned how to hit legally. I like Ryan but it was clear that he was going to be moved.
I'll try and cover the other Ranger player movement in an upcoming podcast with the Rodent. Until then, I may just go back to sleep.
----}- Bird
Posted by Bird at July 21, 2008 03:05 PMeMail this entry!
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