Both Bob McKenzie and Eric Duhatschek had stories today on Scott Niedermayer and his potential return that is sounding more likely by the day.
Before Niedermayer can return to the lineup however, the Ducks need to clear out cap space - not for this season, but for 08-09. Per the CBA:
50.5 e (i) Payroll Room
A Club's Payroll Room is the amount by which the Upper Limit exceeds the Club's Averaged Club Salary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, no Club may enter into or assume an SPC, enter into an Offer Sheet, extend a Qualifying Offer or engage in any other Player transaction that commits the Club to Player Salary and Bonuses for which the Club does not have Payroll Room ...
... A Club may not enter into a single year or multi-year SPC with a Player unless the Club has Payroll Room at the time the SPC is entered into equal to or in excess of the Averaged Amount of the Player Salary and Bonuses.
English translation: you can't have a player under contract on the current roster (not on LTIR or suspended) during the season (can go 10% over the cap in the offseason) unless you have room for them under the cap (whether it's the current season or a future year - not including bonuses which are limited under the CBA). By my calculation, the Ducks have $46,632,833 in cap space committed for next year:
Player and 2008-09 Cap Hit
Bertuzzi $4,000,000
McDonald $3,333,333
Marchant $2,517,500
Niedermayer $2,000,000
Pahlsson $1,400,000
Kunitz $3,725,000
Moen $925,000
Getzlaf $5,325,000
May $600,000
Parros $575,000
Pronger $6,250,000
Schneider $5,625,000
Beauchemin $1,650,000
O'Donnell $1,250,000
Hnidy $757,000
Huskins $700,000
Giguere $6,000,000
RFAs - Perry, Hiller, Carter, Sutherby, Miller
UFA - Dipenta
Cap $50,300,000
Committed $46,632,833
Payroll Room $3,667,167
Niedermayer $6,750,000
Shortfall $3,082,833
So assuming Niedermayer is returning, Brian Burke needs to free up just over $3 mil in next year's cap space, by my calculation.
Option A: Mathieu Schneider
Option B: Todd Marchant + one of O'Donnell, Hnidy or Huskins (even Beauchemin)
Clearly the second option is far preferable and there are two reasons why. Firstly Schneider has another year on his deal and would still be a good replacement for Niedermayer if he doesn't return for 08-09. Also, with a top four of Niedermayer, Pronger, Schneider and Beauchemin, Anaheim would likely become the overwhelming favorite to repeat. Who needs scorers with that D and a goalie that's won both the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in different years?
The Ducks are well under the cap this season although they do have a self-imposed budget, believed to be somewhere around $45 mil. This would make eating a significant salary like Marchant and sending him to the AHL unlikely I'd think.
As each day goes by, players become easier to deal because their remaining cap hit for the year lessens, as does the team's salary obligation. Clearing the space won't be easy but I expect that Burke will be able to make a move or two using all the tools that are available under the current CBA (waivers, re-entry waivers, trades, LTIR, suspension, etc)
Also, Burke may or may not have unofficial 'future considerations' coming from Phoenix and/or Washington. If that is the case he will surely be looking to cash in those chips very shortly to get one of the best players in all of hockey last year back into his lineup. He may also have to bundle another asset (pick or prospect) to get a deal done - Edmonton has Anaheim's '08 first rounder (Pronger trade) and the Ducks hold the rights to Edmonton's (Penner) - unlikely that pick is moved but they also have the Oilers' 2nd and 3rd rounders.
One more note - a Niedermayer return would put a Corey Perry extension on hold as the Ducks just wouldn't have the Payroll Room for next season until the off-season.
Your regularly scheduled Daily Show should be returning bigger, faster and stronger than ever any day now . I know there are at least two people who have actually enjoy the recaps and fortunately for me one of those two just happens to be on TV. To the two of you, try and be patient.. we're making changes for the better to give readers unprecedented access to TDS. The re-launch, coinciding with the 1-year anniversary here at Hockeybuzz will be more exciting than Wade Belak finally scoring a goal (his first since '03).
Have a great Wednesday,
Danny -
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