Cap Space and Training Camps
With a little more than a month to go before NHL teams open their training camps, a handful of teams still have salary cap issues to resolve.
Teams Under Cap Floor
The Los Angeles Kings cap payroll sits at about $29.5 million, meaning they need to add $11 million in cap salaries to reach the $40.3 million floor. There are a number of players still currently on the market that could easily help the Kings reach this level. Some names may include defenceman Bryan McCabe, who could easily make a big dent in that number. They also have to sign contracts with RFAs Jarret Stoll, Patrick O’Sullivan and Brad Richardson. Promoting several of their prospects will also help the Kings easily make up the difference. Better to be under than over.
The Atlanta Thrashers are currently about $2 million below the cap floor, but it will be easier to assign a few prospects to the NHL roster. I can’t see this team doing anything splashy with the remaining free agents out there, as they appear to be retooling yet again.
Teams Over Cap Ceiling
On the opposite side of the cap, the Anaheim Ducks are currently about $3 million over the $56.3 million limit. More than likely, the Ducks will be shopping around Mathieu Schneider for the best deal of prospects and or picks, since Scott Niedermayer has decided to keep playing. At least Teemu Selanne is an unrestricted free agent should he decide to come back for one more season. The Ducks would be hard-pressed to find a way to fit Selanne in.
The Washington Capitals are sitting about $2.6 million over the cap and it may take a bit of work to get under that. They can reassign a couple players, but they may need to renegotiate a few contracts in order to get under.
The Calgary Flames are in a similar situation as the Capitals, but have more to work with in terms of player assignments. I can see them maybe trading a defenceman, and reassigning a forward and defenceman.
The Philadelphia Flyers are about $1 million over, and they don’t have to worry about negotiating with Patrick Thoresen, who has decided to play overseas. Getting under the cap should be easy without any major effect on the roster.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks are about $225,000 over the cap and the Chicago Blackhawks are about $415,000 over. Neither team should have any problems sliding under, but it will be interesting to see what the Blackhawks do as they only have 11 forwards counting against the cap.
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