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The Deal on Dealing Nylander

November 6, 2009, 10:18 AM ET [ Comments]
Steven Hindle
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Options and Expectations


Michael Nylander is currently in the 3rd year of a 4 year deal that pays him just a touch under $20 million dollars.

This season Michael is earning $5.5 million dollars, with a cap hit of $4.875 million. Next season, Nyls will cost only $3 milllion dollars, but still maintains a cap hit of $4.875 million.

At the moment, Michael possesses a No Movement Clause which allows him to have final say over any moves. Having this NMC has allowed Nylander to veto any movements to the minors as he has a 1 way deal, thus preventing the Capitals from demoting Nylander to the Hershey Bears in order to remove his cap hit from the team’s salary total.

Nylander’s recent conditioning stint was based on an agreement between the Capitals and Grand Rapid Griffins. Conditioning stints can only last two weeks and do not require players to pass through waiver wires, therefore the cap hit remains with the original team, but for the allowable two week period, the player can play without ramifications.

During Michael’s 4 game sojourn in Grand Rapids, he helped guide the Griffins to 4 straight victories while playing large minutes and collecting 1 goal and 5 power play assists and a +3.

Now that Nyls’ two week stint in Grand Rapids has ended, he must return to the Washington Capitals.

This now brings us to a crucial point in this situation.

Showcasing that he still has what it takes to play at a professional level is the exact reason why Nylander accepted the conditioning stint with the Griffins. His hope was to impress someone at the NHL level enough to take a chance on him. Having performed quite admirably in his 4 games, there is reason to believe that there is indeed still interest in Nylander in North America.

Another key to Nylander possessing his NMC is the fact that he controls when, or if, he will depart for Europe or Russia. Many people have suggested that Michael’s conditioning stint in the AHL was to showcase him for Russian teams, yet I do know for a fact that Nylander’s main goal is to play in the NHL – the best league in the world.

This has been the main sticking point in facilitating a move across the Atlantic.

Given that Nylander’s play last season left alot to be desired, it’s easy to understand why George McPhee has had a tough time moving the Swede. The fact that his cap hit is as high as it is does not help Nylander’s ability to be moved, but with players dropping like flies across the NHL due to some pretty serious injuries, a window of opportunity may be starting to emerge.

Although it would not have been considered to be possible over a month ago, there is now talk of teams being interested in Nylander.

The Detroit Red Wings are interested. Apparently so are(were?) the Avs and Coyotes.

In terms of the Wings, their interest is not public or official by any means, but there is interest beneath the surface. Having spent time with the Red Wings AHL affiliate for the last 2 weeks, the Wings have had the best opportunity to scout the Swedish centerman and there is reason to believe that they could be interested given their recent rash of injuries. Without Franzen and Filppula for an extended period of time, Detroit could use the reinforcements, but, once again, salary cap implications and questions about endurance and ability are the main sticking points. Nylander would have no problem fitting in on a Swedish oriented team like the Wings and would likely become a key element, but that is just speculation.

It would seem like making a deal wouldn’t be as difficult as it seems, were it not for the fact that George McPhee is not willing to accept salary in return for Nylander. If he was, a move would have likely been made already. But, since GMGM does not want to take back anything for him, trade talks hit a wall.

There is also the scenario of passing Michael through re-entry waivers in which the Caps would then be on the hook for half of Nylander’s salary for the rest of this year and next. Obviously this option would make Nyls more attractive to the rest of the NHL, but it is not a pretty option for Washington as it would continue to handcuff them moving forward.

Deals have been floated by the Isles and Avalanche, but at too much of a cost to McPhee. The Caps GM is in tough spot given that he does not want to take back salary. Especially if it is a player that has a deal that runs through next season.

Phoenix’s interest is merely a pipe dream as that club is bleeding money and the thought of them acquiring a player with Nylander’s salary is quite absurd. That said, the Coyotes could use Nylander’s services, but playing in the desert is most likely the last possible option, mainly due to the cash.

This situation has prolonged itself to a very uncomfortable point for both parties, but with Nylander unwilling to compromise on his NMC and Washington’s GM unwilling to accept salary in return, it’s looking like the Capitals are going to continue to eat Nyls’ salary.

The only possible solution for this will be for either Michael to finally accept a move to Europe or Russia, which I would put at 90% no at the moment, or for McPhee to find a way to accept some sort of salary in return for Michael.

The positives at the moment lie in the fact that there are numerous injuries causing major problems with alot of teams. If one of those teams can get desperate enough, the waiting may end up being worth it. As many as 3 teams out West have been kicking the tires and apparently a couple closer to home as well.

No one will send McPhee draft picks or prospects for Nylander so you can see how limited the options are.

That said, Michael and his agent are working diligently to promote the fact that the Swede can still play. Teams have been looking, but it’s more like window shopping at the moment. But with that glass starting to crack, hope for an end to this madness may be drawing near.





I will be back with a Capitals-Panthers preview later this afternoon.





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