GARTH: Minnesota Can't Afford Vanek Right Now

What if the Sabres took Danny Heatley in the trade package from the Wild? One large contract for another.

Don't think Sabres will take heatley back

Darcy said he will take no salary back for Vanek or Miller.

Don't think Sabres will take heatley back
- Beezer33

Any idea how many years he has left on his contract? One year left is what I think, but could be wrong. If he only has one year left in his deal and the Wild bribed the Sabres enough with the rest of the players/pieces they put in the deal, then I'd do it. Of course the Wild should just wait until after this season and sign Vanek without giving up anything.

Um, duh?

Inevitable the Parise/Suter signing would bite us. But well worth it I think. As far as Vanek goes, I'm not sure if he will sign with Minni in the off season, the Wild will tie up to much money into to few players. I think the Wild's elite salaries are all filled up for a while. Even with dropping under producing Heatley...

Darcy said he will take no salary back for Vanek or Miller.
- sippyd

Unfortunately I think Darcy is done for the summer once he gets Coho resigned.

Unfortunately I think Darcy is done for the summer once he gets Coho resigned.
- sabresfandan

I still think Vanek, Miller or Stafford will be dealt before training camp but I was so sure a trade was going to be made at the draft, so who knows.

I still think Vanek, Miller or Stafford will be dealt before training camp but I was so sure a trade was going to be made at the draft, so who knows.
- GilPerreault11

I wish something would happen but honestly at this point the trade market always goes very quiet as we head into August.

I still think Vanek, Miller or Stafford will be dealt before training camp but I was so sure a trade was going to be made at the draft, so who knows.
- GilPerreault11

Last I heard from Homer as of like a week ago he said he hadn't heard a peep.

Last I heard from Homer as of like a week ago he said he hadn't heard a peep.
- sabresfandan

Yeah, I saw that too, but I expect a trade to be made when we least expect it.

the wild lost 30 mill and were a fringe playoff team. what teams make money in the league? seriously, like toronto, montreal....

how about cammelleri/granlund for heatley/coyle (would like to say doumba by that might mean its gaudreau going your way).

cammy for heatley is kind of a wash sallary wise. And if anything its in Minny's favour.

Enough already.... Same shi%t with this guy every dam day. Pathetic.

Bigger question. Can Ek really afford two Sabres bloggers right now? You guys are seriously out of control...

the wild lost 30 mill and were a fringe playoff team. what teams make money in the league? seriously, like toronto, montreal....
- Jurco_28

The Bruins because Jeremy Jacobs doesn't lose money, maybe the Rangers, maybe Chicago but only within the last 5 years or so, Detroit? The original six probably doesn't lose much money if at all, who outside the Original Six doesn't lose money?

the wild lost 30 mill and were a fringe playoff team. what teams make money in the league? seriously, like toronto, montreal....
- Jurco_28

17/30 teams had a positive operating income " and a few teams broke even.

The Bruins because Jeremy Jacobs doesn't lose money, maybe the Rangers, maybe Chicago but only within the last 5 years or so, Detroit? The original six probably doesn't lose much money if at all, who outside the Original Six doesn't lose money?
- GilPerreault11

Flyers did surprisingly well this year in terms of operating income given how they did in the standings.

Inevitable the Parise/Suter signing would bite us. But well worth it I think. As far as Vanek goes, I'm not sure if he will sign with Minni in the off season, the Wild will tie up to much money into to few players. I think the Wild's elite salaries are all filled up for a while. Even with dropping under producing Heatley...
- Tweaterben

Well said

Because of the cap, all Darcy can do is wait till the trade deadline. He should have done something long ago, before teams ran out of cap space. Figures.

I still think Vanek, Miller or Stafford will be dealt before training camp but I was so sure a trade was going to be made at the draft, so who knows.
- GilPerreault11

Stafford was awful last year, didn't watch him every night but he didn't look that great and his stats are just not good. Add in the fact he comes with a 4m cap hit I'm not sure you'll find a taker. If you do it won't be for anything of value really. Might as well let him play and deal him at the deadline if he starts hot, maybe you get somethin that way.

If you look ahead to next year, yes, Minny has $22+ million. And you also have to assume that the cap will go up 2 or 3 million. So assume you have $25 million. Of course, Minny also only has 14 players signed for next year. My guess is that they only spend 15 million of the 25 next year. The reason? They will need at least 15-20 million in cap space the following year to sign the following players: Brodziak, Granlund, Coyle, Brodin, and Scandella. It will be 2015/2016 before Suter/Parise's actual dollars come down to the point where it won't be a financial burden on Lieopold.

If you look ahead to next year, yes, Minny has $22+ million. And you also have to assume that the cap will go up 2 or 3 million. So assume you have $25 million. Of course, Minny also only has 14 players signed for next year. My guess is that they only spend 15 million of the 25 next year. The reason? They will need at least 15-20 million in cap space the following year to sign the following players: Brodziak, Granlund, Coyle, Brodin, and Scandella. It will be 2015/2016 before Suter/Parise's actual dollars come down to the point where it won't be a financial burden on Lieopold.
- dgutzman

Makes you wonder if Vanek is even a possibility for Minnesota.

If you look ahead to next year, yes, Minny has $22+ million. And you also have to assume that the cap will go up 2 or 3 million. So assume you have $25 million. Of course, Minny also only has 14 players signed for next year. My guess is that they only spend 15 million of the 25 next year. The reason? They will need at least 15-20 million in cap space the following year to sign the following players: Brodziak, Granlund, Coyle, Brodin, and Scandella. It will be 2015/2016 before Suter/Parise's actual dollars come down to the point where it won't be a financial burden on Lieopold.
- dgutzman

The cap will likely rise back to $70M+ for the 14-15 season. If the NHL didnt have a lockout, they were on pace to break $4B in HRR which is $0.8B more than they made in 11-12. Next season the NHL will probably make no less than $4.5B in HRR. Especially with all the outdoor games.