Digging into contract details, looking at Sid the Kid and how a Flames defenceman fell through the cracks in this week's edition of TSN.ca's NHL Mail.
On to the mail.
When a player is traded at the deadline or at any other point during the regular season, does his salary count in full towards his new team's cap? I know the team only pays whatever dollar amount remains in the contract for that current year to the player, but in terms of the cap, could a team with 3.5 million dollars of cap space left in thier budget pick up a 7 million dollar player midway through the season? Or does the player's cap value stay put at 7 million throughout the season? My friend and I have been arguing this point, do you know the answer? Lee Tappenden, Edmonton, AB
Lee, All salary cap figures are pro-rated over the course of the season so, yes, a team can pick up a $7-million player midway through the season if they have $3.5-million in cap room. Of course, not many teams have that kind of cap room, but it is theoretically possible. By the time the trade deadline arrives on February 27, teams will be responsible for less than one quarter of a player's salary. - SC
Can you explain how contracts work? For instance a player (Bryan McCabe) signed a five-year deal worth $28.5 million. This year he is being paid $7.15 million. That leaves four years and $21.35-million remaining on his contract. What is his cap hit this year and how does this type of contract work? Thank you, Khali from Calgary
Khali, When it comes to the salary cap, the average value of the contract is how it is reflected under the cap. That means that McCabe's cap hit this year (and for the rest of the years on this contract) is $5.7-million per season. So this year McCabe is a cap bargain in terms of the actual cash paid out, but will cost more against the cap than his actual salary over the rest of the contract. However, so long as the cap continues to go up, the actual cap hit percentage may not be any greater. - SC
You mentioned that neither Mike Modano nor Brenden Morrow had been put on the long-term disability list, to the best of your knowledge. My questions are: 1) What are the criteria that makes a player eligible for the long-term disability list? 2) Not to pick on the Stars, but why would Dallas decide against putting those players on the long-term disability list if they were eligible, and gaining some extra salary cap space? - Cory, Barrington, Nova Scotia
Cory, A player is eligible for the long-term disability list by missing 24 days and 10 NHL games. At that point, the team can get additional room under the cap and use it to add a replacement. However, when the injured player returns, the team has to make sure they have the cap room to fit those players under the cap. Since Morrow has missed more than 20 games, and that didn't seem to be a surprise to anyone when the injury occurred, I'm honestly not sure why Dallas wouldn't take advantage of that cap situation. - SC
There has been alot of criticism to the Young Stars game as being nothing more than a playful exhibition by many hockey enthusiasts in the Twin Cities. What are your thoughts? - Gordie Hayes-St. Paul,Mn.
Gordie, The lack of intensity in both the Young Stars and All-Star games is a problem for those who expect something more. While I would never expect something that even approaches a regular season NHL game, I don't see why the players can't play a competitive game without hitting. Just because none of the players want to get hurt doesn't mean they need to step out of the way on defence, right? At this point, though, the culture that surrounds those events is such that a format change is probably the only way to add a dose of intensity, however small. - SC
Hey Scott, Two questions. What happened to Robbie Schremp!? He was viewed by many as a sure fire NHL star and supposed to make his mark in the NHL this year. He seems, however, to be struggling (to say the least) in WB. Is it his playing time, conditioning and skating, or the shot to the ego of not being an NHL player? I've never been a fan but would never have expected him to disappear like he has this year. Is it time for the Oil to package him with say a Marc-Andre Bergeron, Raffi Torres or Joffrey Lupul (another shocker who can't seem to find a comfortable place in Edmonton) for that D-man or is it too soon to give up on such a prospect after only one year of AHL experience? Second…is it to soon to give up on a player with Lupul's potential at his age? Thanks, Rob Waddell – Yellowknife, NT
Rob, Schremp has been a major disappointment in the AHL this year, though the Oilers probably have to take some of the heat for that. Not having their own AHL affiliate leaves them at the mercy of other organizations so, even though Schremp does have defensive deficiencies, I doubt the Oilers would make him a healthy scratch like he's been at times with the Wilkes-Barres/Scranton Penguins this year. For his part, Schremp seems to say the right things, taking responsibility, but he's a scorer and needs to produce like one if he's going to earn his shot with the Oilers. Whether it's time to move Schremp depends on the quality of the defenceman coming in return. If it's someone that can be part of the long-term future in Edmonton (let's take Pitkanen, for example, from the rumoured list of names), then it's worth considering a deal. Otherwise, there's no sense in giving up on Schremp for a rental, particularly for an Oilers team that appears to be life-and-death to make the postseason this year. Lupul is in a similar position, though he has more value because he has an NHL resume. If Lupul could get the Oilers are long-term piece in return, a deal could make sense, but it's not easy to give up on a 23 year-old goal scorer. - SC
Scott, I have a question for you regarding a goaltenders stick, specifically the tape at the end of it. Awhile back I caught part of a game and the announcers were talking about the goaltender and how he had a pink tape knob on the top of his stick and how that was against the rules, is that true and what is the logic behind such a rule? Thanks, Marty from Michigan
Marty, the league rules state the goaltenders have to have white tape (or some other material approved by the league) on the knob. While I don't know that pink would be a real problem, and may have been approved by the league, dark colours are forbidden because they could be confused for the puck when trying to determine if the puck is covered or in the net. - SC
Hey Scott, What do you think the chances are of the Leafs making a significant trade at the deadline? I am not looking for one of these trades that involves the Leafs picking up an over-35 player for a playoff push, that is probably not going to happen anyway but more of a trade of the older guys (Tucker, Sundin, included) to get some young talent and really make a run at it next year. Thanks, Jeff, San Diego
Jeff, I'll be shocked if the Leafs do anything but gear towards the playoffs this year. Their recent hot streak has them within four points of fourth place in the Eastern Conference, so they are far more likely to make a move to add a veteran before the deadline than deal Mats Sundin or Darcy Tucker. In Sundin's case, I'll be stunned if he doesn't end up signing an extension with the Leafs. - SC
Hey Mr C, Just wondering if you think the Vancouver Canucks will move a guy like Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison this year to free up some room and maybe pick up a couple of other guys.I mean I'd sure love to keep Nazy and go after Peter the great as I think Mo, Nazy and Peter would look terrific on a line together. Marzinga, Castlegar, BC
Marzinga, Naslund has a no-trade clause so I highly doubt that he'd be inclined to waive it. The Canucks are also a playoff team right now, despite having little scoring depth. That means the last thing they can afford to do is move scoring forwards. If there is a deal to be made for Peter Forsberg, the Canucks should go after him aggressively, but I'm not sure they would be willing to offer a top prospect and a first-round pick (the reported aim of the Flyers in any Forsberg deal) in exchange for a rental. - SC
Hey Scott. I was wondering what your thoughts are regarding the Atlanta Thrashers. What do you see them doing in the playoffs and what are their weaknesses? Who do you see them making a push for at the trade deadline? Also where do you think Pittsburgh will end up in the playoff race? Thank you for your time. Marc K
Marc, Despite some decent play from Glen Metropolit, the Thrashers really need a playmaking centre to set up Ilya Kovalchuk. Other than that, I could see a move for a power play defenceman, where Steve McCarthy hasn't been an ideal solution. Pittsburgh should end up as a No. 4 or No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. They are riding a lot of momentum right now, but it will still be difficult to catch New Jersey in the Atlantic Division. - SC
Hey Scott, I have a couple of questions about guys not playing in the league anymore: Mike Keane and Josef Balej. When I saw Mike Keane was going to the AHL All-Star game I was wondering why no team had picked him up as a veteran presence for a playoff run. Then I looked up his stats and am wondering why he was invited to the game in the first place with only 17 points in 48 games. Any thoughts? Also, what happened to Josef Balej? when the Habs traded him for Alex Kovalev, he was our top AHL player and was regarded as a heavy price for a rental, now I see he's playing in Switzerland. what gives? Thanks as always, Andrew Murray from Montreal
Andrew, I'm sure Keane is still a very good checker (particularly by AHL standards), but that probably only warrants a trip to the All-Star game when you have some name recognition from a long, successful NHL career like Keane. As far as Balej goes, I would imagine he's guaranteed more money playing in Switzerland than he would get in the AHL and he might not have expected to crack the NHL lineup and, after suffering a lacerated kidney last season, Balej might have liked the idea of guaranteed money. He's third in scoring for Fribourg-Gotteron with 29 points in 34 games this season. - SC
Hey Scott, I was wondering what you know about the current status of Karel Pilar. He was a promising prospect at one point and 19 points in 50 games hinted that he could be a decent #5/6 guy. I know he's had the heart condition but he was supposed to be preparing for an NHL return the the last couple of years when he played for HC Sparta Praha in the Czech League. Is there any chance of a return for Pilar? Thanks, Art Vandelay
Love your work in latex manufacturing, Mr. Vandelay. Pilar is supposedly recovering from the virus that sidelined him for most of last season and there were some reports that he was getting ready to return to the ice with Litvinov in the Czech Republic, but he hasn't yet. That being the case, there would seem to be a chance for his return to the NHL, but the further we get from 2003-2004 (his last NHL season), the less likely it becomes. - SC
Scott, I wonder when's the last time a non-contending team had a player (maybe such as Sid this year) win the league MVP? Maybe Mario? - Fred Mercer, Vancouver, BC
Fred, Jose Theodore was MVP in 2002 when the Canadiens finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, but Mario Lemieux was the last one to win the Hart Trophy for a non-playoff team. In 1988, even Mario's 168 points in 77 games wasn't enough to get the Penguins into the postseason. - SC
Can you explain why Tom Preissing doesn't play more in Ottawa? On the team, he's first in plus/minus, fourth in points but only 13th in ice time. And it's not like he's simply a power play specialist - only about half of his points have come with the man advantage (not to mention his great +30, which demonstrates he can handle even strength). Has his ice time increased/decreased as the season's gone on? Dylan White, Country Harbour, NS
Dylan, It appears that the Senators are quite adamant that Preissing will not kill penalties this season (he's played a total of just over seven minutes shorthanded this season), even though he was third among Sharks defencemen in penalty killing time last year. One encouraging note is that Preissing played more than 16 minutes per game in January, his high mark for a month this season, so the Senators may be realizing just how valuable Preissing has been this year. - SC
Hey Scott, I just have a couple questions. First off, I was checking to see how clutch Wayne Gretzky was, and I noticed he only had 91 game winning goals which seemed like a pretty good number, but then you check out a player like Brendan Shanahan, who already has 105 in his career. So I was just wondering which player has the record for most career game winning goals. Also, I wanted to know if you think the NHL (or any of the other major sports) should adapt a playoff format where the actual best teams were able to meet in the finals. I think it is pretty obvious that there is a major discrepancy in each of the four professional sports on which conference is the best (AFC, American League, and the western conference in both the NHL and NBA). Plus, when you have teams like Tampa Bay and Calgary, or Edmonton and Carolina facing off in the finals, there is absolutely no buzz or rivalries between them. Do you think the NHL or any other sport would ever change their playoff format in order to actually promote rivalries in the playoffs, and not the somewhat meaningless regular season? Thanks, Alex from Edmonton
Alex, Gretz does still hold the record with 24 game-winning goals in the postseason, so he still has an element of clutch in him. Gordie Howe tallied 121 game-winning goals in his career and Phil Esposito notched 118 to top the all-time list for the regular season. When it comes to the playoff format, I'd love to see the NHL go back to playing a more balanced schedule and seeding teams 1-16 for the postseason, as they did many years ago (remember the 1970s when there were finals between Montreal-New York, Montreal-Boston, Philadelphia-Buffalo etc.), but I just don't see it happening because the league is really pushing regional rivalries and they don't want to wait and hope for a Rangers-Islanders Stanley Cup final to reap the rewards. - SC
Hi Scott. I'm in a keeper league and I have the luxury of having both Chris Mason and Tomas Vokoun. Do you think I should keep both goalies for next year or should I trade one of them away? As it appears that Mason is more than capable of holding down the job as a number one goalie. Also what is the contract status on Mason? Shawn – Saskatoon, SK
Shawn, I'd keep Vokoun because he appears to be the long-term number one goaltender in Nashville. Mason has one more year remaining on his contract and, with fewer NHL pelts on his wall, Mason is going to be the backup as long as Vokoun is healthy. It's possible that Mason could be traded to a team willing to make him a number one, which might make it worth keeping him (depending on your league's rules) but Vokoun would be my preference. - SC
Hey Scott, In your mind why do think Mark Giordano from the Calgary Flames was never drafted. In my mind he has had a great season, even moving up the Flames depth chart to a possible top five. This guy has decent size at 6ft and over 200 lbs. As per the TSN player profile he had good numbers playing his junior hockey for Owen Sound. I really think Sutter scored big with this guy picking him up as a free agent. That being said what do you think the chances are that Calgary moves one of their defensemen i.e. Andrew Ference or Andrei Zyuzin? - Thanks, Rob
Rob, Giordano was set to go to Ferris State on a scholarship before Owen Sound convinced him to come to the OHL so he didn't play in the OHL until he was 19 years old, at which point most scouts are looking at the 17 year-olds. Nevertheless, he has been a productive offensive defenceman and seems to have earned a regular spot on the Flames blueline. The Flames could move one of their defencemen, though I think for a contending team, there's nothing wrong with having seven NHL defencemen unless one of them is going to go in a package to make an upgrade on the blueline. - SC
Hi Scott, Do you think the Penguins will toughen up before the trade deadline? They are making a serious push this season, but the playoffs are a totally different game, and I don't think they'll last long without a few tough players who aren't afraid to bump and grind.if you will remember with me the Pens of 1991 and 1992.they had scorers, yes.but with Rick Tocchet, Kevin Stevens, Ulf Samuelsson, Bob Errey, Phil Bourque, and Troy Loney, they also had the toughness. I'm not talking about fighting, but the ability to crash and bang in the corners. The Pens' defence is too soft. Also, whatever happened to Jim Paek and Ken Wregget of that 1992 Penguins team? Justin Halbersma, Kentville, Nova Scotia
Justin, By all accounts the Penguins are looking for someone to watch Sidney Crosby's back, though in discussions with TSN researcher, Scott Lennox, we both figured that someone more like Tocchet -- a guy who could fight but also put the puck in the net -- as opposed to a pure enforcer, would be ideal. Otherwise, I think the Pens have some guys who can do the banging. The defence could stand to be tougher, no question, so that gives the Penguins something to look for before the deadline. Paek is currently an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Wregget remains in the Pittsburgh area in a sales and marketing position. - SC
Scott, I have been watching hockey for a long while I am a Pittsburgh fan but in all mthe years I been watching I have never seen officals this bad they are letting Crosby get mugged every game. Sunday game high stick also when he lost puck in ot he was hook they didn 't call it. If I could find way I would open a Class action suit against the nhl officals.Higher ups just as bad saying Crosby went down to fast when he was spear has any of those people been spear when not expecting it. Let someone hit you in gut when not expecting it you will go down same with high sticking. Vic, Pittsburgh, PA
Vic, I'm afraid I'm not on your side here. I think Crosby is starting to flop. The "butt-end" against Montreal was totally marginal and there is no way under the sun he was actually hurt, but he squirmed on the ice like he was. As soon as it was clear there was no penalty, he got right back up and didn't even leave the ice. I had a coach in minor hockey that was a real hard-ass that didn't want his players flopping around on the ice. As a result, I'm not too sympathetic of anyone embellishing what actually happens on the ice because I think it's an affront to those that actually do get injured (and there are enough of those). Crosby should draw a lot of penalties all on his own, and he does, but it's the theatrics that are causing people to question him. Not his ability, simply the integrity of competition. In a sport like the NHL, where players take exceptional pride in playing hurt (and not necessarily saying anything about it), faking injury is not going to earn respect. On Sunday, again, he was clipped (totally accidentally, by the way -- Francis Bouillon was facing behind the net at the time), but it's the arms flailing in the air as he goes down that leaves people wondering about the severity of his injury. Crosby made it back for his next shift, so we can assume the injury wasn't too bad. I also didn't see any hook on the overtime goal. I saw Crosby try to make a one-handed move around Plekanec and Plekanec stripped him of the puck. - SC
Hey Scott, You answered a Tampa Bay fan's email about the Bolts trading for a top flight goalie without mentioning what seems like an obvious possibility to me -- their old pal Nik Khabibulin. He's played better in Chicago this year but it hasn't kept the Blackhawks from sinking to their usual depths. The Hawks should be fine with taking on the salary of Marc Denis in return, especially if they could also unload their other Tampa Bay alum, the ridiculously immobile Jassen Cullimore as part of the deal. The Hawks have a great young goalie on the way in Corey Crawford, and in the meantime they're never going to rise up without some offensively talented forwards no matter who's in goal, and they'll need all the money they'd free up from Khabibulin to have a prayer of enticing that kind of player to come to Chicago. Am I making sense here? Thanks, Brad
Brad, If the Lightning could fit Khabibulin's $6.75-million salary under the cap, then they would likely have some interest. Since all indications are that the Lightning are nowhere close to being able to squeeze that type of salary in, even with Marc Denis going the other way, they'll ride the hot hand of Johan Holmqvist. The Blackhawks might be able to find a taker for Khabibulin, but it won't be easy because of that contract. - SC
Hello. My cousin Travis Zajac plays on the New Jersey Devils. Ever since he got drafted I followed him up closely, and this year he made the Devils. The only thing was that no one talked about him, why was that? Also, how do you think he is doing for a rookie? - Ryan Zajac
Ryan, Your cousin has had an excellent rookie season. At the beginning of the year, I expected him to spend time in the AHL, because that tends to be what the Devils do with their prospects, but he's been a decent second-line centre. While his point production (26 in 52 games) is still relatively modest, his plus-8 rating leads the Devils. Since he was a first-round pick in 2004, it's not like this success was totally unexpected, but I'd say it's happened a little quicker than most would have predicted. Right now, I have Zajac as the 10th-ranked rookie in the league in my player rankings. - SC
Talented Mr. Roto Fantasy League Update: Team TSN.ca sits in second place, a healthy seven points back of first-place Rotoworld. I tried a deal to acquire a top-flight goaltender but, as the danger exists in single year Roto leagues, teams that aren't in contention don't necessarily have any incentive to make trades, so I'm still leaning on the trio of Kari Lehtonen, Tim Thomas and Ed Belfour.
Thanks to all who e-mailed this week.
Scott Cullen can be reached at scullen@tsn.ca