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The NHL says the cap is going up, but Buffalo still has decisions to make |
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NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman said yesterday that the league is projecting hockey-related revenues to rise and that next year's salary cap is expected to be $78-82 millon. That's good news for the Buffalo Sabres as the team will feel the brunt of a $10 million cap-hit from Jack Eichel beginning next season.
Along with Eichel's massive contract, the Sabres will have hits of $7.5 million for Ryan O'Reilly, $6 million for Kyle Okposo, $5.6 million for Jason Pominville, $5.4 million for Rasmus Ristolainen and $5.14 million for Zach Bogosian. Not to mention another $4 million for Marco Scandella.
Those seven players alone will account for about 55% of an expected $78 million cap-ceiling.
That's a lot of money invested in seven players who make up the core of a last place team and that doesn't include money to re-sign Evander Kane, the team's leading scorer.
Kane will be an unrestricted free agent come season's end and word is that both he and the Sabres might be interested in a contract extension. The 26 yr. old left winger is in the final year of a six-year/$5.25 million deal and it's expected that his new contract will be in the $7 million area. He has been Buffalo's most consistent forward this year and if Botterill wants to re-sign him, he'll need to move a hefty contract. Even if they don't, the Sabres could still use more wiggle room.
Word last week was that other teams feel as if the Sabres are open for business and that the only untouchable is Eichel. Some players, like Ristolainen might command a premium but if there was a serious offer made, it's said that Botterill would listen.
The good news for Buffalo is that a couple contracts should be coming off the books next year. Defenseman Josh Gorges and his $3.9 million cap-hit will be gone and one might be wondering whether the Sabres will re-sign goalie Robin Lehner, who is carrying a $4 million cap-hit this season. Forward Matt Moulson was waived and it's expected he will be bought out. Moulson is under contract for one more season after this at a $5 million cap-hit and should he be bought out, the Sabres will incur a $3.66 million cap-hit penalty next season.
Put it all together and GM Jason Botterill is in a bit of a bind. If he ends up with the status quo, next season he'll have about $51 million invested in seven forwards and five defensemen, which is roughly 66% of a projected $78 million cap ceiling. Add in another $7 million for Kane and the $3.66 million Moulson buyout penalty and the Sabres would be going into next season with eight forwards and five defensemen taking up nearly 80% of their cap-space.
Once again, this is a team that is in last place with that lineup.
Last night's blown lead in Chicago only furthers the narrative that things are not going well for the Sabres and because it doesn't look like much will change on the ice with this group, some changes will need to be made to the group itself. The two biggest contracts outside of Eichel's next season are that of O'Reilly's and Okposo's and both are signed long-term. One of the two will probably need to be moved regardless of what happens with Kane and the debate for the rest of the season amongst Sabres fans will be, which one?
It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds between now and the trade deadline as well as into the off season.
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