Future Salary Cap Baggage
Wednesday July 16, 2008
It's impossible to guess where the NHL salary cap will be a few years from now. That's why teams are taking a huge risk with the long-term contracts handed out this summer.
If a free agent turns out to be a bust, you're stuck with way too much cap room tied up in a mediocre player for years to come.
It's one thing to hand a lifetime contract to Alex Ovechkin or Vincent Lecavalier. But consider the buyer's remorse that will likely set in by the time these more questionable deals finally expire:
Redden will be almost 37 years old when this contract is up. He arrives in New York after a couple of sub-par years in Ottawa. Not especially physical, his career season was 2005-06, when he had 50 points.
Last season's career year saw Malone deliver 27 goals and 24 assists, and that's with Crosby or Malkin joining him on every shift. The Tampa deal will bring him to the age of 35. Will he be a 50-point guy then?
Prospal's point production ranges from 55 to 80 points, depending on the year. He's 33 years old, so consistency isn't likely to kick in now. The Lightning will pay him until he's 37.
Since the lockout, Rolston has topped 30 goals in three straight years. But he's already 35 years old, and will be skating with the Devils until the ripe old age of 39.
Stillman will turn 37 before this contract expires. Have the Panthers signed him just in time to catch rapidly diminishing returns?
Campbell has been an elite point producer for two seasons. He'll turn 37 in the final year of this deal. Will he still have the speed and skill to compensate for his lack of size?
A late arrival from Switzerland, Streit has played two full seasons in Montreal, recording 36 and 62 points. He was a minus player both years. The Islanders have him until he's 35 years old.
Photo: For better or worse, Rangers fans will get used to seeing Wade Redden (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
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