HFNHL Red Wings
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So with the first round of UFA offers closed the question becomes which GM(s) are going to be loose with the purse strings?
GM’s have been fairly lax in their financial constraint the past few years while the NHL has finally shown signs of some restraint. Last year the NHL average salary grew by less than 0.5% and early indications this season are that the average salary in the NHL is going to drop (inclusive of UFA’s resigned pre July 1st). Will HFNHL GM’s show the same restraint?
Mr. Swingstein did his part to ensure that HFNHL salaries increased notably for pending UFA’s and RFA’s signed pre-July 1st and adding upward salary pressure to this years HFNHL free agent period will be the HFNHL ‘AHL’ teams. These are teams who are currently below the mandated 68OV rule that must be met by the close of the preseason thereby increasing the number of buyers.
Team bankrolls have been under pressure in the past two seasons. Although this picture has often been distorted by the redistribution of funds amongst teams over time there is no question the erosion of the financial picture has been escalating. Six years ago the league began with $30M per team. Heading into our seventh season the average bank account is now $21.5M. Still healthier than that of many NHL teams but the rate of decline continues to accelerate.
Look not to increased revenue but instead to increased restraint for the reversal of this trend.
Maybe someone with some time, and a crystal ball, may want to come up with a list of the high bidders.
For the record my bidding was moderate (no offer over $2.5M). Some say I was a high bidder last year but then again it came from the team that made the second highest bid. Sort of like the Leafs complaining about the Rangers complaining about the Holik signing when their offer was equally ridiculous :-P
GM’s have been fairly lax in their financial constraint the past few years while the NHL has finally shown signs of some restraint. Last year the NHL average salary grew by less than 0.5% and early indications this season are that the average salary in the NHL is going to drop (inclusive of UFA’s resigned pre July 1st). Will HFNHL GM’s show the same restraint?
Mr. Swingstein did his part to ensure that HFNHL salaries increased notably for pending UFA’s and RFA’s signed pre-July 1st and adding upward salary pressure to this years HFNHL free agent period will be the HFNHL ‘AHL’ teams. These are teams who are currently below the mandated 68OV rule that must be met by the close of the preseason thereby increasing the number of buyers.
Team bankrolls have been under pressure in the past two seasons. Although this picture has often been distorted by the redistribution of funds amongst teams over time there is no question the erosion of the financial picture has been escalating. Six years ago the league began with $30M per team. Heading into our seventh season the average bank account is now $21.5M. Still healthier than that of many NHL teams but the rate of decline continues to accelerate.
Look not to increased revenue but instead to increased restraint for the reversal of this trend.
Maybe someone with some time, and a crystal ball, may want to come up with a list of the high bidders.
For the record my bidding was moderate (no offer over $2.5M). Some say I was a high bidder last year but then again it came from the team that made the second highest bid. Sort of like the Leafs complaining about the Rangers complaining about the Holik signing when their offer was equally ridiculous :-P