Dave Hamilton
01/12/2013
With the rushed start to a condensed season and the unavoidable implications

of an impending cap decrease, we may see quite a few moves over the next little while. Spanning the spectrum of differing motivations, perhaps all 30 teams will become somewhat active in attempts to shore up positional needs, manage the economics of a changing landscape, and plan for future success. Undoubtedly, this summer will produce an abnormally busy season of change but many GM’s will seek to get the “Brian Burke jumpstart” on things, even as early as this week, as they assess the readiness of their rosters and consider where they stand going forward under a new CBA.

Interestingly enough, many of the arguably stronger and more complete franchises will have significant decisions to make with the task of retaining as much of their empire as possible when, among other salary and contractual situations, the amount of cash they are allowed to throw around lessens considerably.

For example...

- New York Rangers
Currently: Sitting with roughly $6 million in cap room for next season.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Del Zotto, McDonagh, Stepan, Hagelin and filling a couple other roster spots.

- Boston Bruins
Currently: Sitting with roughly $7 million in cap room for next season.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Horton, Ference, and two goalies (they have no goalie past this season).

- Minnesota Wild
Currently: Sitting with roughly $7 million in cap room for next season.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Bouchard, Cullen, Scandella, Clutterbuck, Falk, and decide if questionable health issues with Harding are worth gambling on.

- Chicago Blackhawks
Currently: Sitting slightly over the cap limit for next year.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Kruger, Stalberg, Mayers, Bickell, Roszival, Leddy, and Emery.

- San Jose Sharks
Currently: Sitting with roughly $10 million in cap room for next year.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Clowe, Handzus, Galiardi, Murray, Demers, and filling a couple of other roster spots.

- Pittsburgh Penguins
Currently: sitting with roughly $8 million in cap room for next year.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Kennedy, Cooke, Dupuis, Tangradi, Adams, and filling a couple of other roster spots.

It’s safe to assume that, to a certain degree, each team will attempt to deal with the lowered cap by replacing players who make in the $900K to $2 million range with those closer to the league minimum (one of the probable fall-outs of the new CBA). This is far from a “fix all” option, however, and sizable moves will be required throughout the league in certain situations. How might that affect the Leafs this summer?

- Toronto Maple Leafs
Currently: Sitting with roughly $25 million in cap room for next year.
Decisions: Signing/replacing Connolly, Lupul, MacArthur, Lombardi, Kadri, Bozak, Steckel, Gunnarsson, Holzer and Franson.

Obviously a few of those players will be re-signed, claiming portions of that comfy $25 million, but the Leafs still find themselves in an enviable financial spot with having decent room to spend and the resources to spend it all (which is partly why Luongo, and his considerable contract continue to be discussed as a viable option for Toronto.) Also worth mentioning is the possibility of players on that list (and others) being involved in deals that could either result in the Leafs having even MORE money to consider spending or less roster spots to have to try and fill. It will be interesting to observe the relatively unpredictable “frenzy” that many feel is just waiting for CBA ratification, and how the Leafs may play a part in it.

Also playing a role in what moves teams will be considering is the intriguing free agent market this summer. Looking at the list of FA’s in the near future without keeping it in mind that many will be re-signed by their current clubs is foolish, but with the changing financial boundaries that teams will have to work within, July 1st could prove to be a more significant day than in recent years. League wide, names like Iginla, Elias, Semin, N.Backstrom, Getzlaf, Perry, T. Thomas, Lupul, Morrow, Streit, Horton, etc. will garner much interest, and early indications point to ownership pushing Leafs’ GM Dave Nonis to land a couple “difference makers”. As mentioned, many of the NHL’s financially blessed franchises may not be in opportune positions to woo that “big fish” to their particular pond, hopefully giving the Leafs a theoretical advantage.

Personally, possible free agents such as Getzlaf, Perry, Morrow, Horton, Clowe, Zajac, Edler, and Weiss would be of top priority, but again, will they all still be there for the taking? A little hope never hurt anyone… right, Leafs Nation? Who do YOU predict gets moved this week or early on in this shortened season? Does Luongo become a Leaf? And what possible free agents intrigue you the most for 2013/2014?Camps are set to start in just 24 hours. Here we go!

@aihhockey

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