The Board of Governors meeting in Boca Raton, Fl, early next month is likely to effect the strategy of NHL general managers for the remainder of the season and into next summer, as the league will provide a projection of what the salary cap for the 2015-16 season will be.
The New York Post’s Larry Brooks indicated in early November that the cap could remain in the $69 million range because of the declining value of the Canadian dollar, instead of increasing $5-6 million because of the infusion of revenue from the new TV deal with Rogers Sportsnet.
Brooks reports that GM’s have already started augmenting their approach with pending free agents looking for contract extensions and that failing the NHLPA exercising their option a five percent escalator clause in the cap(their right under the current CBA), clubs may be forced to some tough decisions regarding players with term remaining past this season.
The reigning Cup champion LA Kings are trying to be proactive by reportedly shopping center Mike Richards and his $5.75 Million salary to free up space to sign pending free agents Alec Martinez, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli and after re-signing Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane for over $10 Million per season, the Blackhawks may have to move a veteran like Patrick Sharp or Brent Seabrook to get under the cap.
The Maple Leafs are not immune from this dilemma, with $52.7 Million allocated to 13 players for 2015 and goalie Jonathan Bernier, center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Cody Franson free agents at the end of the season. Bernier and Kadri are coming off identical two-year, $5.8 Million bridge deals, while Franson will be looking to hit it big as an unrestricted free agent next July. All are looking for long-term deals in the salary range of $5 Million per season.
The Leafs will have no qualms about locking up Bernier long-term, based on his performance through 1 ¼ seasons and the going rate for starting goalies, but the almost doubling of his salary could force the Leafs to move James Reimer’s $2.3 Million salary in favor of a more economical backup.
Kadri continues to be an enigma in his third full season with Toronto. His offensive numbers have regressed (10 points in 22 games) after averaging near a point per game during the lockout shortened season and a 50 point campaign in 2013-14. The 24-year-old’s game has improved in some areas, but his level of consistency has not and there are signs that the coaching staff has more confidence in Peter Holland than Kadri.
If Team President Brendan Shanahan and GM Dave Nonis are sold on Kadri being a more two-way player and the London, ON native reestablishes his presence in Toronto’s top six, the Leafs will again need to make room under the cap by moving someone out.
Joffrey Lupul has been mentioned in trade rumors recently and could be an attractive addition for a team looking for a scoring winger, but his chronic history of injuries and contract (three years remaining @ $5.25 Million) may prove difficult to move.
Franson poses the biggest challenge for Toronto. The Sicamous, BC native leads the club in defensive scoring with 14 points and he has performed well with power play point partner Dion Phaneuf on the top pairing.
The 27-year-old has indicated his desire to stay with the Leafs, but after three years of difficult contract negotiations ending up in one-year deals, there is not going to be any hometown discounts.
If the club negotiates a deal prior to the end of the season, it would be a strong indicator that either Phaneuf or Jake Gardiner will be moved prior to next season. If not, Franson’s size, power play abilities and right-handed shot could attract a significant return before the NHL trade deadline in March.
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The Maple Leafs need to improve their performance on home ice, as they begin a five-game home stand against Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday night. Toronto is currently 7-6-0 at home, the worst record of any Eastern Conference club currently occupying a playoff spot.
Toronto plays nine of their next 11 games at Air Canada Center before embarking on a seven-game, 17-day road trip during the upcoming 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Washington is 10-8-4, currently residing in third place in the Metropolitan Division and defeated the NY Islanders by a 5-2 score at Verizon Center on Friday night. Ovechkin scored his club-leading 12th goal of the season and starter Braden Holtby made 24 saves for his eighth victory of the season. Caps coach Barry Trotz will go with backup Justin Peters on Saturday, who is 2-3-1, with a 3.15 GAA and .882 save %.
The Leafs will start goalie Jonathan Bernier for a fifth straight game and will Leafs coach Randy Carlyle will stick with the same lineup that played in the 4-3 overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Joffrey Lupul has been moved to the third line with Peter Holland and David Clarkson, while Daniel Winnik moves to the fourth line with Trevor Smith and David Booth.
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