Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: Buyout Offer Has Snider's Fingerprints
- bmeltzer

I would like teams to be given a dollar amount(5million or less) or one player(if over 5 million) ...it seems the current buyout clause rewards the teams that made the biggest mistakes, in terms of size of the contracts and length. Why not have a dollar amount of 5 million and lets say we could get rid of walker and Shelly ....together they could make a difference to us for roster spots and about 3 million for this year....I know they're both gone next year but it might help them this year for some cap space in a trade.

Never fly with the NHL. Small market teams would also see it as another benefit to the larger market teams.
- MJL

Your right.....the players would love it....there are more contracts like Brieres then then contracts that go the other way....take Nashvilles deal.....after the two big payout on the Weber contract, the average salary dollar in any one year would drop substantially....that may effect Nashvilles ability to get to the floor in future years.....they made a financial decision to match the offer with the former CBAs rules in effect...I like the idea Bill has , but from the other side I don't see it happening.

Never fly with the NHL. Small market teams would also see it as another benefit to the larger market teams.
- MJL

I think you hit the nail on the head that the small markets would see it another benefit to the big boys. However do you think they'd blow up a season over it? I don't.

In terms of the NHL office, I know Bettman in particular despises the back-diving deals because they undid a lot of what he wanted to accomplish last time around. So he's not inclined to cut a "transition to the new cap" break to teams that did it under the old system.

On the other hand, if Bettman's job depended on not ending up with another canceled season -- and right now, it pretty much does -- I think he'd grit his teeth and do it.

Your right.....the players would love it....there are more contracts like Brieres then then contracts that go the other way....take Nashvilles deal.....after the two big payout on the Weber contract, the average salary dollar in any one year would drop substantially....that may effect Nashvilles ability to get to the floor in future years.....they made a financial decision to match the offer with the former CBAs rules in effect...I like the idea Bill has , but from the other side I don't see it happening.
- landros 2

But Weber's deal is a brand new one, starting in the 2012-13 season. His cap hit would be the same.

The more recently signed the back-diving contract, the less it would be adjusted downward. Also, teams that locked up young players in RFA years with back-loaded deals would see the cap hits go up.

That's the problem. Fehr has always acted as if he knew there was no way the League was prepared to cancel the Season. Now he really knows that. What's going to happen? Are they going to respond with a reasonable counter offer very close to the Owners offer. Or do they smell blood and go for more. Such as more Make Whole money. Which would absolutely infuriate the Owners.
- MJL

That's the danger right now....there is not enough time left to to alienate the owners or vice versa....but this is why Ferh and Bettman's get the big dollars....both sides , I'm sure, have told their leadership....get a deal done.

I think you hit the nail on the head that the small markets would see it another benefit to the big boys. However do you think they'd blow up a season over it? I don't.

In terms of the NHL office, I know Bettman in particular despises the back-diving deals because they undid a lot of what he wanted to accomplish last time around. So he's not inclined to cut a "transition to the new cap" break to teams that did it under the old system.

On the other hand, if Bettman's job depended on not ending up with another canceled season -- and right now, it pretty much does -- I think he'd grit his teeth and do it.
- bmeltzer

I agree totally. Small market teams aren't going to be willing to lose a Season over that.

But Weber's deal is a brand new one, starting in the 2012-13 season. His cap hit would be the same.

The more recently signed the back-diving contract, the less it would be adjusted downward. Also, teams that locked up young players in RFA years with back-loaded deals would see the cap hits go up.
- bmeltzer

But it was signed under the old CBA ?.... I like the idea....and really if they did do this its only a problem until the old contracts are gone ( if players accept the 10 % variance, that is).... I like it because it allows teams to be more flexible with their cap in any one year.....pay some more one year and less the next....so maybe pay a Giroux 10 percent less on the first 3 years of a deal and 10'percent more in the last 3 years....then maybe pay Schenn 10 percent more in his first 3 years and 10 percent less in the last 3....(just examples)....

If they reduce they Cap by 14.2% why don't they just reduce all existing contracts cap hit by 14.2%?

If they reduce they Cap by 14.2% why don't they just reduce all existing contracts cap hit by 14.2%?
- jstross

That would then mean a huge escrow to ensure the 50/50 split. There won't be any salary rollbacks in the deal.

If they reduce they Cap by 14.2% why don't they just reduce all existing contracts cap hit by 14.2%?
- jstross

would you be willing to sign a contract and then a couple years later have it diminished in value after doing something similar 8 years ago?

That would then mean a huge escrow to ensure the 50/50 split. There won't be any salary rollbacks in the deal.
- MJL

I thought the salary would stay the same, but the cap hit would be reduced?

I thought the salary would stay the same, but the cap hit would be reduced?
- jstross

The answer is the same. Think about it. Reducing the Cap hit with salaries being higher would skew the players revenue share. And increase escrow.

The answer is the same. Think about it. Reducing the Cap hit with salaries being higher would skew the players revenue share. And increase escrow.
- MJL

If the Cap drops to $60 million starting next year it really hurts players becoming FAs since a lot of teams will be cap locked, right?

If the Cap drops to $60 million starting next year it really hurts players becoming FAs since a lot of teams will be cap locked, right?
- jstross

Yes, which is why the NHLPA is going to want that to be higher, and will likely seek an increase to that in their counter proposal.

Yes, which is why the NHLPA is going to want that to be higher, and will likely seek an increase to that in their counter proposal.
- MJL

Ok, it's all starting to make sense.

Ok...assuming they get this worked out for a 1/19 first game...does anyone even remember that this team is incomplete. We were still waiting on Doan to come to a decision on the Yotes situation among other slim possibilities...Bobby Ryan anyone? Are we hammering the phones with agents now? Can they? Who is still out there that could help this team? They still look less talented than last year.

Ok...assuming they get this worked out for a 1/19 first game...does anyone even remember that this team is incomplete. We were still waiting on Doan to come to a decision on the Yotes situation among other slim possibilities...Bobby Ryan anyone? Are we hammering the phones with agents now? Can they? Who is still out there that could help this team? They still look less talented than last year.
- section32

doan signed for 4 years with the coyotes in september

bobby ryan, never gonna happen

the Philadelphia flyers will fail to make the playoffs

Ok...assuming they get this worked out for a 1/19 first game...does anyone even remember that this team is incomplete. We were still waiting on Doan to come to a decision on the Yotes situation among other slim possibilities...Bobby Ryan anyone? Are we hammering the phones with agents now? Can they? Who is still out there that could help this team? They still look less talented than last year.
- section32

I think by letting Jagr go....they were basically hoping Schenn and Couturier to step up....hard to do when a 40 year old is on your top pp....same with Vorecek and Matt Read......theses kids need the ice.....their issue is their d IMO ....Weber would have completed this team.

doan signed for 4 years with the coyotes in september

bobby ryan, never gonna happen

the Philadelphia flyers will fail to make the playoffs
- watsonnostaw

Check

Check

Ya right......

I think by letting Jagr go....they were basically hoping Schenn and Couturier to step up....hard to do when a 40 year old is on your top pp....same with Vorecek and Matt Read......theses kids need the ice.....their issue is their d IMO ....Weber would have completed this team.
- landros 2

Weber woulda been huge. I agree, the D is where this team comes up short for a contender. The Rangers got better, and although the kids will grow as you say, we lost our top D pairing from the beginning of last year and they were not replaced.

Just great...

http://www.csnphilly.com/...blockID=818233&feedID=695

Apparently, Briere got hurt in Germany. 2-3 weeks.

Weber woulda been huge. I agree, the D is where this team comes up short for a contender. The Rangers got better, and although the kids will grow as you say, we lost our top D pairing from the beginning of last year and they were not replaced.
- Hextall271

No argument here....but the season hasn't started yet.

No argument here....but the season hasn't started yet.
- landros 2

So you think they'll sign someone once the season begins?

No argument here....but the season hasn't started yet.
- landros 2

Can't see us being anywhere near as good as last year...Mezaros hurt, Carle gone, etc...and Luke Schenn isn't gonna be the savior. And while I would love for the youngsters to step up, there are some big shoes to fill...a guy named Jagr for starters.

Can't see us being anywhere near as good as last year...Mezaros hurt, Carle gone, etc...and Luke Schenn isn't gonna be the savior. And while I would love for the youngsters to step up, there are some big shoes to fill...a guy named Jagr for starters.
- section32

Still good enough to make the playoffs. That's all that matters.