It's not front loading contracts that really are the culprit. It's tacking on years to the end of the contract with no intention to actually play out those years. I guess you can call it front-loading, given that those years bring the average salary down, but it's not really the front of the contract that is the real issue.

It doesnt create an advantage for the isles as far as winning goes. But, it does allow him to squeak by year after year without spending the minimum amount.


The purpose of all of this is to create a more balanced NHL. Charles Wang reaching the floor through buyouts and IR players with big salaries does not make the isles competitive.
- kindlyrick

The owners and the NHLPA disagree? A balanced NHL is not their primary concern. Owners want a profitable situation primarily (if you’ll recall last lockout, cost certainty was their mantra), and players want to be able to earn whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay. Parity is an afterthought. It always was.

The owners and the NHLPA disagree? A balanced NHL is not their primary concern. Owners want a profitable situation primarily (if you’ll recall last lockout, cost certainty was their mantra), and players want to be able to earn whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay. Parity is an afterthought. It always was.
- prock

Killer of threads

If Visnovski loses his grievance and is Islanders property, why not trade him to Toronto for Franson. I'd rather have someone who wants to be here than one who doesn't...
- kear20

I'd have to agree but the Isles didn't do it with Nabby so I don't see them doing it with Vis. I would like to keep him - he would really solidify our D. Come deadline time when the Isles have secured a lottery pick send him packing.

It doesnt create an advantage for the isles as far as winning goes. But, it does allow him to squeak by year after year without spending the minimum amount.


The purpose of all of this is to create a more balanced NHL. Charles Wang reaching the floor through buyouts and IR players with big salaries does not make the isles competitive.
- kindlyrick

I don't think the league has really balanced out since the last lockout. Atlanta folded, Columbus still sucks, Phoenix still has ownership struggles, Leafs are still missing the playoffs, and the Sharks haven't won a cup. All this CBA poop boils down to the owners wanting more millions in their pockets and the players want to be able to play for whoever is going to throw the biggest deal at them. The NHL could care less about a balanced league, they just care about profits.

I don't think the league has really balanced out since the last lockout. Atlanta folded, Columbus still sucks, Phoenix still has ownership struggles, Leafs are still missing the playoffs, and the Sharks haven't won a cup. All this CBA poop boils down to the owners wanting more millions in their pockets and the players want to be able to play for whoever is going to throw the biggest deal at them. The NHL could care less about a balanced league, they just care about profits.
- Mr.Black

It's always about money!!!

Suuuure they did. I'd love to see the accounting wizardry they pulled off to splash that little stat around. And not to mention, owning a sports franchise is essentially a hobby for multi-multi millionaires. I think they all know before they get in that, by and large, you're not guaranteed to make a lot of, or even any, money owning a team outside of a few consistently profitable franchises in each sport. And I doubt if most, or any, of these guys rely on their sports teams as their primary source of income...which was summed up nicely by the Sabres' owner when questioned about whether he was making or losing money. He said something to the effect of, "If I wanted to make more money, I'd drill another hole in the ground." That's honesty. Maybe he's not making money on the team, but he's certainly not "losing" money every year. He's making more than enough elsewhere to fund his expensive hobby, just like the rest of us but on a much larger scale.

Heck, I have plenty of hobbies. None of them make me money. I own several guitars that have cost me a chunk of cash over the years. I don't run around saying, "I'm losing money on my guitar hobby! Someone help me!" If it's such a bad proposition for the owners, then they should get out of it altogether rather than shutting the league down every several years. Ditto for the players. If the league is so oppressive, then pick a different league or find a different career path. Sorry folks, just a bit annoyed at this lockout garbage again. Talk about the worst time from a PR standpoint to argue over who should make more millions... *climbs off soapbox*
- UIF

Or Billionares...I agree, shut up and play the game you love and play for no money during the lock out....with guys like us..too funny.

It's always about money!!!
- jimmc7722

This is all very exciting. Can we go back to talking about the excitement surronding DP's come back and how incredible a player Anders Lee is?

This is all very exciting. Can we go back to talking about the excitement surronding DP's come back and how incredible a player Anders Lee is?
- Cptmjl

No, then we would have to go back to blaming the fans for the last 20 + years.