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Detroit’s roster has been an interesting debate during the all star break. The team is nearing a much more cohesive approach, but there are still some contracts that some of you aren’t in love with. I’ve been very vocal about Copp after his first year. He’s playing much better on the checking line and when he and Compher share the ice for the PK, they are fantastic. I’ll even tip my hat (can’t post the clip) but he made it clear that goal #100 didn’t mean, um, poo, if the team didn’t play. The question is, in a flat cap world is the value there on that contract? Let me know thoughts on deals you would move if a team were “desperate… to get to the floor and would take on just about anything.
The NHLPA has laid down the lawwith the Arizona Coyotes.
I don’t take a lot of “victory laps… but I got some nasty responses when I typed this last May:
“If the rumors are true (don’t place wagers) the NHLPA is putting a microscope on Arizona and potential violations of travel protocol. This franchise saw a GM fired for illegal scouting practices, a new owner who is waiting for a 2 billion dollar initiative (While Gila still has to be paid off). Now, this feels contradictory to the “solidarity… of the association. Only a few players have come out and said they are sick of losing up to 20% of their paycheck year after year (Toews was one). So you can have a 5 million dollar cap, but turn it into a 4 million dollar cap.…
The leaks about the NHLPA’s plan to corner Arizona ownership were not only dead on, but multi faceted. We ignore escrow in the sport and even Friedman has asked players to raise their escrow ceiling. That was a first for major hockey press. All based on capped out teams. As of now, Arizona has failed in 3 to 4 Arena propositions (one for 2 billion dollars) in the past year. Why does this matter? The team plays in a packed house of 5k. Student tickets are $25. That makes it impossible for a team to bring in significant revenues. That makes the NHLPA want to leave the cap as is and on and on.
The league’s talk of expansion allows them to look for states to move teams that are losing money. The irony, Arizona exists because of Winnipeg’s failure under monetary conversion. The Canadian dollar was too much weaker than the USD that all players are paid in.
Some of you are geniuses. In all sincerity, you have a grasp on intricate situations and high level accounting. With the changes on the horizon, does there need to be a “reboot…? We’ve seen it once where essentially every player took at 25% pay cut several years ago. Escrow masks that. So let me know your thoughts. Detroit is going to “organically… get closer and closer to the ceiling as prospects move forward toward their new deals. What is the solution to getting the revenue sorted out? Let me know your thoughts.