Eurolanche

Buyout Market the list

To continue with my Buyout market story I decided I would look at the top one or two candidates from the top 15 teams cap wise. Not all the teams may have a buyout candidate. So let’s take a look at some hypothetical names that could be out there July 5^th. If you see any names that catch your attention and feel would be a good fit for the Avs make sure to comment. The list starts from highest cap team to number 15.

Philadelphia Flyers Players Signed 25 Cap Space negative $7,985,189 - Danny Briere(Confirmed bought out) Ilya Bryzgalov(7 years left at a $5,666,667)  has just not lived up to potential since signing his monster contract. Philly is grossly over the cap and just keeps signing players. Briere has already been bought out look for Brzy to be next.

Vancouver Canucks Players signed 17 cap Space $47,222 - Keith Ballard (2 years left at $4,200,000 hit) since arriving with the Canucks has underperformed and is a good buyout choice.  Roberto Luongo (9 years left at $5,333,333) Lou has been the odd man out all year. The Nucks still think they can trade him. Good luck with that any team who takes on that Cap hit needs a new GM

Chicago Blackhawks 21 players signed with a cap space of $2,094,872 - Marian Hossa (8 years left at   $5,275,000) he is still a very good player but with all the injuries he might not make it eight more years. Steve Montador (2 years left at $2,750,000) played in the minors this year I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks for a trade.

Tampa Bay Lightning 18 players signed with $2,407,251 cap space - Vincent Lecavalier (7 years left at $7,727,273) Tampa loves Vinnie but at that price maybe not enough. I don’t expect to see Vinnie with the lighting for much longer. Mattias Ohlund (3 years left a $3,607,143) had some injury plaque years that may cost him his job with the Lighting. 3 plus million is a lot to pay for a guy who doesn’t play much now and Tampa is up against the cap with a bad finish.

Montreal Canadiens 21 players signed with $4,774,167 cap space- Tomas Kaberle (1 year left at $4,250,000) sure he doesn’t have much left and the Habs could wait it out. But Kaberle best days are behind him and it might be best to free up room for someone for the future.

Washington Capitals 20 players signed with $5,658,483 cap space - Martin Erat(2 years left at $4,500,000) Erat is still good player. The Caps may just choose him solely because he is the new guy and they might want to make room to try and resign Mike Ribeiro.

Boston Bruins 18 players signed with $5,803,690 cap space - Edit(Forgot you can't buyout injured players.) (Also forgot Savard goes on long term IR comes off the cap)Marc Savard (4 years left at $4,027,143) Poor guy is most likely never playing again. The Bruins have been nice enough to keep paying him with hopes he can make a comeback. Look for the Bruins to stop that nice behaviour soon because Tukka Rask is up for RFA and deserves a big pay raise. As well maybe try to keep Nathan Horton.

San Jose Sharks 16 players signed with $6,648,333 cap space - the Sharks have almost 7 million in cap room with only 1 year left in Thornton (7 million), Marleau (6.9 million) and Boyle (6.7 million). I think they wait it out and go for another playoff try with the same team. Possible Martin Havlat (2 years left at $5,000,000) if they really need to make room. But I think they try for a trade first.

Minnesota Wild 19 players signed with $6,737,799 cap space-Dany Heatley (1 year left at $7,500,000) He only has a year left and may be able to help the Wild. But when you already paying a couple guys more them him you don’t want to pay another 7 million for a possible third line guy now.

Carolina Hurricanes 17 players signed with $7,347,500 cap space– Honestly not sure who is any the Canes with choose to buy out. They like their core of big money guys and 7 million in cap space and 17 guys signed for next year they could see a bunch of rookies filling gaps. Maybe buy out some lower salary guys just for a bit more room.

Los Angeles Kings 15 players signed with $7,675,606 cap space - LA was pretty close to going back to back finals. I think they are happy with the guys still signed for next year. A lot of their guys are also RFA’s so they have most of the power in dealing out money. Look for a trade or two before a buy out

Pittsburgh Penguins 18 players signed with $7,876,667 cap space – The Pens have more issues trying to resign guys right now then worry about buy outs. Most of their guys still have high value and they are a trading machine. I would expect them to make trades before buying anyone out.

Anaheim Ducks 19 players signed with $8,590,833 cap space - Sheldon Souray (2 years left at $3,666,667) He has a plus 35 contract so if he retires the cap hit sticks. Might just buy him out to prevent that. , Bryan Allen (2 years left at $3,500,000) an okay D man just not worth that price tag anymore. Maybe a buy out just to bring in new blood. A lot of the Ducks buyouts depend if Selanne comes back or not.

Detroit Red Wings 20 players signed with $10,607,121 cap space -Todd Bertuzzi( Too much) kidding (1 year left at $2,075,000) only because I dislike him very much and don’t want him to have a job in the NHL anymore. Plus side he is old now and will most likely retire soon.

Colorado Avalanche 22 players signed with $10,851,667 cap space- What is this?  Avs in the top half of the league for spending? Bet a lot of people didn’t know that judging by the majority of the Avs are so cheap, We got tons of cap room and Buy this guy buy that guy spend spend spend comments I keep seeing. Sure they have 10 million in room but with all the big guys wanting 6 plus these days that is the room for one superstar or one good guy and a decent guy. The Avs are not cheap they are just bad shoppers at times. We have all made bad impulse buys from time to time. The just need to contact NHLPA customer service for a return. They tend to get bad items for high prices it happens. Look for hopefully David Jones (3 years left at $4,000,000) and Greg Zanon (1 year left at $2,250,000) to be bought out.

All credit for the cap numbers and salary go to capgeek.com. If you want to play arm chair GM always go to cap geek first so you can make informed choices. The numbers matter a lot in this league now. Hence why Greg Sherman still has a job even a lame duck one.