Understanding how Burke is managing Salary Cap
July 8th, 2009 | by jays1992 |By Paul Bruno
Part of managing a team in the post-lockout NHL requires skill in managing the flow of money in the Salary Cap era. Leaf fans have seen a flurry of long-term, large-dollar signings by many other teams, locking up several superstars for a number of years. The impact of those commitments will be to limit the future spending habits of a number of clubs that have a few of these deals in place.
The impact of that spending, or not spending, will be more visible in a season where the cap is likely to drop by a few million dollars next year, as many experts are projecting that scenario in light of the current global economic crisis.
What does the mean to the Leafs?
After their signings of last week, GM Burke has a roster of 22 players under contract for this season for a total cap hit of just over $52 M, leaving almost $7.5 in available space for this season. He has also gone on record, stating that the team is still looking to add quality, likely among the forward contingent.
Looking out one year from now, the Leafs will be very flexible under a reduced cap next year as they have commitments totaling about $28 M to a total of nine players. That’s going to give them a great opportunity to spend with a competitive advantage over a number of other teams that simply won’t have that flexibility. Chicago and Philadelphia have committed $42 M for 11 players and $50 M for 12 players respectively, as a comparative example.
The impact of those commitments, in looking at these three clubs, means that the Leafs are going to be in a better position to pick off the best of next year’s free agent class and are well-positioned to take on salaries should either of these other two teams be looking to shed salaries in light of their constraints.
So Burke and the Leafs appear to be in an enviable position as the reconstruction of the Maple Leafs takes place. It will be interesting to see how many other teams go the Leaf route or the way of the Flyers and Hawks this off-season.
That just adds another angle to the intrigue around building a team under the fluctuating salary cap.
The smart teams will capitalize.
