Cap Moves
Posted 9:40 AM ET | Comments 0
In just a couple of moves, the Flyers have gotten themselves back under the salary cap with plenty of time to spare before the season opens.
By putting Derian Hatcher on long term injury, his $3.5 million salary came off the cap. The club began the week at $59.2 million - that includes Steve Downie, Ryan Parent and Claude Giroux, all of whom I have on my pre-camp roster as making the club right now.
Anyone who thought general manager Paul Holmgren was going to go into the season with Max Ouellet as his backup once Antero Niittymaki's hip began acting up, wasn't reading the tea leaves correctly. Holmgren can now put Niittymaki on LTI if he wishes and save an additional $1.225 million.
We don't have the figures on J-S Aubin, but my guess is that the Flyers got him for around $600,000 or less. Without Aubin, the cap is at $55.7 right now. The max for this season is $56.7.
One of the reasons to move Danny Briere to wing is the FLyers have an overload all around at center with the acquisition of Glen Metropolit and Jim Dowd, again, trying to make the roster. Metropolit, who is in a walking boot, is expected to be in camp tomorrow on the ice but we'll see. He had to have stitches removed from his foot and the boot has to be comfortable enough where he doesn't re-open the surgery wound.
Claude Giroux is going to make it hard on Steve Downie for ice time, as well. They are different players and they each bring something special to their game, but they both need ice time to be effective. That's something to watch in camp.
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Other key injuries going into camp ...
CAR – C Rod Brind’Amour will miss most of training camp after arthroscopic surgery
on his left knee.
RW Justin Williams will miss 4-6 months w/torn Achilles suffered in pre-camp
This is devastating news to the Hurricanes. There really is no one on the right side in Carolina to make up for Willie's absence.
NYI – C Mike Comrie coming off hip surgery for torn labrum; has been skating but has not been tested under daily workout pressure.
PGH – D Ryan Whitney will miss 3-5 months following foot surgery. Huge loss to the Penguins before the puck is dropped.
By putting Derian Hatcher on long term injury, his $3.5 million salary came off the cap. The club began the week at $59.2 million - that includes Steve Downie, Ryan Parent and Claude Giroux, all of whom I have on my pre-camp roster as making the club right now.
Anyone who thought general manager Paul Holmgren was going to go into the season with Max Ouellet as his backup once Antero Niittymaki's hip began acting up, wasn't reading the tea leaves correctly. Holmgren can now put Niittymaki on LTI if he wishes and save an additional $1.225 million.
We don't have the figures on J-S Aubin, but my guess is that the Flyers got him for around $600,000 or less. Without Aubin, the cap is at $55.7 right now. The max for this season is $56.7.
One of the reasons to move Danny Briere to wing is the FLyers have an overload all around at center with the acquisition of Glen Metropolit and Jim Dowd, again, trying to make the roster. Metropolit, who is in a walking boot, is expected to be in camp tomorrow on the ice but we'll see. He had to have stitches removed from his foot and the boot has to be comfortable enough where he doesn't re-open the surgery wound.
Claude Giroux is going to make it hard on Steve Downie for ice time, as well. They are different players and they each bring something special to their game, but they both need ice time to be effective. That's something to watch in camp.
**
Other key injuries going into camp ...
CAR – C Rod Brind’Amour will miss most of training camp after arthroscopic surgery
on his left knee.
RW Justin Williams will miss 4-6 months w/torn Achilles suffered in pre-camp
This is devastating news to the Hurricanes. There really is no one on the right side in Carolina to make up for Willie's absence.
NYI – C Mike Comrie coming off hip surgery for torn labrum; has been skating but has not been tested under daily workout pressure.
PGH – D Ryan Whitney will miss 3-5 months following foot surgery. Huge loss to the Penguins before the puck is dropped.