Cap to $50M?

If you look on the general discussion board there is a topic about the possibility of the NHL salary cap going up to $50M for the 07-08 season.

How does this bode for NJ?

I think this means that we can retain both Rafalski and Gomez.

Elias ($6.0M) - Gomez ($6.0M) - Gionta ($4.0M)
Parise ($2.0M) - Zajac ($984k) - Langenbrunner ($2.8M)
Pandolfo ($836k) - Madden ($2.93M) - Brylin ($1.52M)
Someone ($600k) - Someone ($600k) - Clarkson ($800k)

White ($3.0M) - Rafalski ($5.0M)
Oduya ($1.0M) - Martin ($2.2M)
Hale ($600k) - Greene ($850k)

Brodeur ($5.2M)
Backup ($450k)

$47,370,000

With $2.6M to spare.

This would be a blessing from above. Everson would look like such an ass.

It bodes well for the Devils because as the cap rises, top players will be asking for bigger contracts. The long term contracts that Lou has already handed out to our core players will look like huge bargains in a couple years when players of equal quality are making 2 mil more per season on new contracts from other teams. Lou will probably be able to ice one of the deeper teams in the league.

For the league in general, it's not so good. I imagine it's only a matter of time until some of the smaller markets start complaining that they can't compete with the rising cap.

For the Devils, the higher the better. Maybe we'll actually have some wiggle room under the cap next year.

The only negative is that someone may give Gomez a ridiculous offer because everyone will have a lot of cap room...

Elias ($6.0M) - Gomez ($6.0M) - Gionta ($4.0M)
Parise ($2.0M) - Zajac ($984k) - Langenbrunner ($2.8M)
Pandolfo ($836k) - Madden ($2.93M) - Brylin ($1.52M)
Janssen ($600k) - Pelley ($600k) - Clarkson ($800k) or Rupp

White ($3.0M) - Rafalski ($5.0M) - Has to be $4M or lower/he is now expendable
Oduya ($1.0M) - Martin ($2.2M)
Lukowich ($1.0M) - Greene ($850k)

Fraser/Brooks as the 7/8 D-men

Brodeur ($5.2M)
Backup ($450k)

Hale will be traded this off-season. Weimer, Lacowaste, McGillis, Matvichuk, Rass not resigned.

Hale will be traded this off-season. Weimer, Lacowaste, McGillis, Matvichuk, Rass not resigned.
I believe it's 'Lackofskill' :teach:

If so, it means we have room to resign Gomez, not neccessarily that he will.

I think you are forgetting Matvichuk who I believe is signed through next season.

I think you are forgetting Matvichuk who I believe is signed through next season.
Correct.

If the Cap goes up that high, Gomez will want 7-9

If the Cap goes up that high, Gomez will want 7-9
You do realize that Gomez wanting 9M next season is like Gomez wanting 8M before this season.

You do realize that Gomez wanting 9M next season is like Gomez wanting 8M before this season.

guarantee he won't sign for 6 or less.

If the Cap goes up that high, Gomez will want 7-9

He ain't gettin that from us. There is still 1/3 of the season left, but so far he has not shown that he even deserves a raise above what he is making now. If he turns it on form now until the end of the playoffs, then he will deserve a raise. Not until then. Of course some a**hole GM from Phoenix or something will probably offer him $7 mill/year.

guarantee he won't sign for 6 or less.

You're probably right but that's a lot for a guy that constantly needs to be motivated. I'm not sure he should get anything more than 3-4 years anyway.

He's been terrible this year, he'll be lucky to get 5 if I was the GM.

He's been terrible this year, he'll be lucky to get 5 if I was the GM.

Well good thing you're not the GM...but no one is offering Gomez 7-9 million...

Of course some a**hole GM from Phoenix or something will probably offer him $7 mill/year.

More likely that Sather will try to pull off a stunt like that than the Phoenix GM.

I think if Lou offers Gomez 6M$, he would be wise to take it.

Elias ($6.0M) - Gomez ($6.0M) - Gionta ($4.0M)
Parise ($2.0M) - Zajac ($984k) - Langenbrunner ($2.8M)
Pandolfo ($836k) - Madden ($2.93M) - Brylin ($1.52M)
Janssen ($600k) - Pelley ($600k) - Clarkson ($800k) or Rupp

White ($3.0M) - Rafalski ($5.0M) - Has to be $4M or lower/he is now expendable
Oduya ($1.0M) - Martin ($2.2M)
Lukowich ($1.0M) - Greene ($850k)

Fraser/Brooks as the 7/8 D-men

Brodeur ($5.2M)
Backup ($450k)

Hale will be traded this off-season. Weimer, Lacowaste, McGillis, Matvichuk, Rass not resigned.

Why does Rafalski have to be $4M or lower? He is easily our best defenseman and losing him would cripple the defense corps. The Brad Stuart's and Sheldon Souray's aren't any better and they will cost just as much if not more.

Luko will def get more than $1M. He averages 20 minutes of ice time a night and has played well this year. Some team will offer $2M.

Correct.


He is? I thought this was the last year of his contract. Hmmmmmm. Well, if that's so, it definitely thickens the plot.

I guess the question is..."Do we keep him or trade him?" Or do we part with Lukowich instead?

Or...let Rafalski & Hale go & keep Luko, Matvichuk & call up Green?

Why does Rafalski have to be $4M or lower? He is easily our best defenseman and losing him would cripple the defense corps. The Brad Stuart's and Sheldon Souray's aren't any better and they will cost just as much if not more.

Luko will def get more than $1M. He averages 20 minutes of ice time a night and has played well this year. Some team will offer $2M.


Rafalski is good, very good. He's not great. Great = $5M a year or more. If he thinks he can get that, go get it somewhere else. I'd rather give it to Gomez & keep him.

Oduya, Martin & Greene can be "trained better" in the offseason to improve their need on the point & powerplay.

If the cap goes to $50M then we will be just fine.

Then again, if it doesn't I think we'll be fine anyway.

Rafalski is good, very good. But great = $5M a year or more. If he thinks he can get that, go get it somewhere else. I'd rather give it to Gomez & keep him.

Oduya, Martin & Greene can be "trained better" in the offseason to improve their need on the point & powerplay.

Rafalski will easily get that over the off-season. The Devils have no reason not to give it to him either. He's one of the top 15-20 d-men in the league and has served admirably as NJ's #1. Our defensive corps would be lost without him. Saying the addition of someone like Greene can compensate for Raffy's loss is ridiculous.

So, would you rather have Rafalski or Gomez?

It will come down to that depending on who gets traded.

To me, with the "right" guidance, Oduya, Martin or Greene would gradually flourish into Rafalski.

IMO, he's not worth $5M. $4-4.25M (max) yeah...but not $5M.

So, would you rather have Rafalski or Gomez?

It will come down to that depending on who gets traded.

To me, with the "right" guidance, Oduya, Martin or Greene would gradually flourish into Rafalski.

IMO, he's not worth $5M. $4-4.25M (max) yeah...but not $5M.

If the cap goes up to $50M it won't have to come down to that. But I'd choose Rafalski if it did.

Sure these guys have the potential to take over the defense, but you're running a huge risk and have unrealistic expectations by just assuming that Greene (a rookie), Oduya (a second year d-man w/ little offensive output), and Martin could just make us forget about Raffy.

If the cap goes up to $50M it won't have to come down to that. But I'd choose Rafalski if it did.

Sure these guys have the potential to take over the defense, but you're running a huge risk and have unrealistic expectations by just assuming that Greene (a rookie), Oduya (a second year d-man w/ little offensive output), and Martin could just make us forget about Raffy.

I understand your point about the "young ones" & I'm not unrealistic. I truly feel that (like with almost anyone) if given enough praise, coupled with the right type of training & guidance, anyone of those guys would elevate their play & replace Rafalski. Because he's very good...not great.

Gomez has more natural skills than Rafalski. Hence, I'd rather pay Gomez more to keep him, than to overpay for Rafalski.

Understand, I like both players. Hopefully, we'll be able to keep both. :yo:

If the cap goes all the way up to $50 million, I would hope Lou would lock up Parise, Martin, Oduya, Gomez, and Rafalski to long term deals.

Parise: 4 years 10 million
Martin: 4 years 11 million
Oduya: 2 years 2.5 million
Gomez: 5 years 29 million (No 15 goal center should earn this much... and I'm a Gomer fan)
Rafalski: 3 years 13 million

A little optomistic on some of those contracts, but I think they're reasonable.

I understand your point about the "young ones" & I'm not unrealistic. I truly feel that (like with almost anyone) if given enough praise, coupled with the right type of training & guidance, anyone of those guys would elevate their play & replace Rafalski. Because he's very good...not great.

Depends on what you consider "great". I consider great to be playing against other teams top lines on a regular basis, logging 25+ minues a night on average, and scoring 40-50 points per year from the backend on a consistent basis "great"... much better than "very good".

So what was the point of the cap again? I think it will be more towards 48.

Yeah, why the hell do they keep raising the cap roof?

I think Gomez will be back with the Devils. He seems to enjoy the NYC area/east coast and I just can't see him signing with any of our division rivals no matter how much money is thrown at him. I'm sure Carlos will cause a raucous once again knowing that his son would like to stay with the Devils, he'll try to raise Gomez's price as much as possible. Personally, I wouldn't go any further than $6 million to retain him.

Yeah, why the hell do they keep raising the cap roof?


Because the cap is linked to revenues, and revenues have gone up.

If the cap goes all the way up to $50 million, I would hope Lou would lock up Parise, Martin, Oduya, Gomez, and Rafalski to long term deals.

Parise: 4 years 10 million
Martin: 4 years 11 million
Oduya: 2 years 2.5 million
Gomez: 5 years 29 million (No 15 goal center should earn this much... and I'm a Gomer fan)
Rafalski: 3 years 13 million

A little optomistic on some of those contracts, but I think they're reasonable.

I'd be happy with any of these contracts.

resigning gomez and signing souray is a most then.

resigning gomez and signing souray is a most then.

I don't like idea of signing Souray at all.

If the cap goes all the way up to $50 million, I would hope Lou would lock up Parise, Martin, Oduya, Gomez, and Rafalski to long term deals.

Parise: 4 years 10 million
Martin: 4 years 11 million
Oduya: 2 years 2.5 million
Gomez: 5 years 29 million (No 15 goal center should earn this much... and I'm a Gomer fan)
Rafalski: 3 years 13 million

A little optomistic on some of those contracts, but I think they're reasonable.

Parise is probably the right cap figure, but i doubt his agent goes near a 4-year contract at this point... probably a 2-year deal.

Gomez is going to get 6 a year on the market i'd bet...

Rafalski is the most interesting contract of the bunch, since D has gotten ridiculously valuable apparently... he could get an absurd offer. I'd be shocked if he's less than 5M personally.

The cap is determined based on 54% of league wide revenues:
So 54% of the revenue gets divided by 30 and you get the cap

There not making up numbers and increasing the cap for no reason. The more revenue the league generates the higher the cap will be for the following season. At some point the cap will plateau.

The cap is determined based on 54% of league wide revenues:
So 54% of the revenue gets divided by 30 and you get the cap

There not making up numbers and increasing the cap for no reason. The more revenue the league generates the higher the cap will be for the following season. At some point the cap will plateau.

one hopes... if it starts to sail in the other direction, that's bad news.

I don't like idea of signing Souray at all.

why, not only does he have a monster slap shot which is what we need on our power play (langs doesnt cut it) he is best friends with our best player. it can only be a good thing if he returns here.

Parise is probably the right cap figure, but i doubt his agent goes near a 4-year contract at this point... probably a 2-year deal.

Gomez is going to get 6 a year on the market i'd bet...

Rafalski is the most interesting contract of the bunch, since D has gotten ridiculously valuable apparently... he could get an absurd offer. I'd be shocked if he's less than 5M personally.

I think you're right on all points. I doubt Parise would take a long term deal, though I am curious to see if he files for arbitration.

I think Lou will offer Gomez 6 mil and I think that will be enough to keep him. It's amazing how much more money Gomez would have made if he scored 30+ goals this year, underperforming in his biggest contract year will cost him millions.

I'm guessing Rafalski signed a two-year deal after the lockout because he'll be 34 this offseason, which means it will be his last real chance to cash out with long term deal. Raffy may take less $ for a longer contract and Lou is willing to give out no-trade clauses as added incentives, but I still think he'll get a raise.

The cap on this current agreement can not go down

The cap on this current agreement can not go down

Yes it can, if revenues go down the cap goes down. That said of inflation it will probably continue to go up a little each year. I big increase this year would be because revenues hit a point where the players are then entitled to 55% rather than 54.

why, not only does he have a monster slap shot which is what we need on our power play (langs doesnt cut it) he is best friends with our best player. it can only be a good thing if he returns here.

Because he won't be worth the $5-$6M he will be commanding. Rafalski is a better player, especially defensively.

why, not only does he have a monster slap shot which is what we need on our power play (langs doesnt cut it) he is best friends with our best player. it can only be a good thing if he returns here.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hy0pXTnx85Q

Why was there ever a lockout in the first place? :dunno:

Why was there ever a lockout in the first place? :dunno:

So that teams won't be spending 75 million while others are spending 30 million. Now that gap will (hopefully) be 50 million to 35 million on the lower end... quite a difference.

If the cap goes all the way up to $50 million, I would hope Lou would lock up Parise, Martin, Oduya, Gomez, and Rafalski to long term deals.

Parise: 4 years 10 million
Martin: 4 years 11 million
Oduya: 2 years 2.5 million
Gomez: 5 years 29 million (No 15 goal center should earn this much... and I'm a Gomer fan)
Rafalski: 3 years 13 million

A little optomistic on some of those contracts, but I think they're reasonable.

I agree in general, but would adjust it to more like:

Parise: 4 years, 15 million (putting him just under Gionta, for respect, and a bargain at that...)
Martin: 4 years, 12 million (matching White)
Oduya: 2 years, 2-2.5 million (pretty much agree, think around 2.2 would do it...)
Gomez: 5 years, 30 million (matching Elias)
Rafalski: 3 years, 13 million (agree, the extra year and team loyalty probably allowing him pass on the many two year/10+ mil offers from other teams needing a #1 D man...Might need to go to a 4 yr/17-18 mil if somebody bids big...)

Call me optimistic, but I think Rafalski might be willing take less to stay with the Devils. He just kind of strikes me as a loyal guy who likes playing in New Jersey. Gomez, I think could go either way. I could see him taking big money someplace else, or staying with the Devils. I'm 50/50 as to whether or not he'll stay at this point.

I'm not too worried though, they have Lou running the show.;)

why, not only does he have a monster slap shot which is what we need on our power play (langs doesnt cut it) he is best friends with our best player. it can only be a good thing if he returns here.

The guy is a liability defensively. We don't dress players like that, no matter how many power-play goals they rack up. I agree with TaiMaiShu. We should NOT sign him and I'd be shocked if Lou even considered it.

It makes me sick that White gets $3million a year. absolutely sick.
No doubt he adds to the team. but not 3million worth. anyone agree with me?