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Meltzer's Musings: Cap implications of Shelley vs. Sestito |
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When training camp rolls around in September, one of the more interesting roster battles to track will be the competition for the enforcer/12th forward spot. While it is possible that the Flyers could carry both Jody Shelley and Tom Sestito on the roster this season, it does not seem to be a smart use of salary cap space.
The Flyers cannot send the 23-year-old Sestito to the Phantoms without putting him on waivers. The former 3rd round draft pick is not as accomplished a fighter as a Shelley but he is potentially a better and more versatile hockey player. He is also 11 years younger and $600,000 cheaper on the salary cap.
Like many veteran enforcers, Shelley increases his worth to the team by being a positive locker room presence and one of the team's hardest workers. He knows his role, executes it the best of his ability and works hard not to be a liability. But is that enough to hold off younger and cheaper players?
If the Flyers were to carry both Shelley and Sestito among 13 forwards and 7 defensemen on the opening night roster, they would currently have $1,027,738 in cap space available (which includes Ian Laperriere's cap hit without an LTIR allowance). With the LTIR allowance for Laperriere, the practical cap space is $2.194 million.
If the team waived Shelley and carried Sestito and another young player (let's say Ben Holmstrom) as their 12th and 13th forwards, they would have about $1.37 million in cap space without worrying about LTIR overage. With Laperriere on LTIR for the full season, it's $2.54 million.
If the Flyers waived Sestito for AHL demotion and carried Shelley alone among 12 forwards and 7 defensemen, they would have $1.55 million in cap space ($2.74 million with LTIR for Laperriere).
That may not seem like a big difference between carrying Shelley or not. However, keep in mind that the salary cap is calculated daily during the season and the cap hit for in-season trade acquisitions is prorated over the rest of the season.
The $370,000 opening cap difference between carrying Shelley/Sestito and Holmstrom/Sestito makes little difference right now. However, preserving even modest additional cap space could ultimately be the difference in acquiring a top 9 forward or top 6 defenseman as a rental player come trade deadline time.
If Sergei Bobrovsky ($1.75 million) is dealt and replaced more inexpensive backup goaltender -- the Flyers now have three internal options, all carrying varying degrees of lower cap hits -- the team would also free up additional cap space. The other internal options, of course, are Michael Leighton ($1.55 million), Johan Backlund ($800,000) and the recently signed Jason Bacashihua ($525,000 on the NHL part of his two-way contract).
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Howard Eskin of 610WIP is reporting that the Flyers have some interest in signing Chris Drury at the right price. Given Drury's past accomplishments, his ties to Danny Briere and his reputation for leadership, it might make some sense. That's especially true in light of the fact that there's currently one third-line spot up for grabs on the Flyers.
However, given the fact that Drury was just bought out by the Rangers and the health of his knee is a major question mark, I would hope that the Flyers proceed with extreme caution with the 34-year-old.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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