31 mil hard cap in next CBA

Have seen reports that the owners want a 31 mil cap in the next CBA.

This may be a factor as to who Lou looks to pick up, or looks to trade.

If you can get a few players who are UFA's they will be off the books in July. But it could be costly to get a Guy like Conroy. They aren't going to get Gomez, but they might get a #1. He'll likely bring a #3 comp pick back in the '05 draft but UFA is supposedly going down to age 27 in the new CBA with the idea that the owners want to flood the market.

A couple of additions and NJ should be in good shape to take another Wales trophy.

The owners are pretty much steadfast on referring to it as "cost certainty" in spinning it in a more positive light. I heard Harry Sinden commenting on what he could without risk of fines regarding the potential lockout last week on WEEI. Jeremy Jacobs (owner of the Bruins) is all of a sudden front and center Mr. PR man after laying low in Buffalo with fake beard and mustache costumes for the past 31 years LOL.

The owners want a cap somewhere between 31-34 million and its expected that to get the owners will have to drop the UFA age (I've seen 25, 28 mentioned) or scrap the idea of RFA's altogether.

After the 2003-2004 season the Devils have 11 players under contract worth a total of 29 million (not including option years). If nothing changes they'll have to fill 11 more rosters spots using between 2 and 5 million, not the best situation but not the worst either.