RB- I agree 100%.
We must accept the situation, I have always forecasted a high cap, IIRC 80m next year. A slow market in China, the situation in Ukraine, Middle East and more importantly the new gas in the US has torpedoed to oil price and the economy is very slow all over in general. All over countries are trying to torpedo their own currency. Any product manufactured in a country can be sold at a cheaper price outside the country if the currency is low, most countries other than the US lives and dies with exports. So does Canada. A 25% drop in the loonie and Canadian oil, minerals engines produced by Bombardier or whatever can be sold 25% cheaper, or with a higher margin whatever you choose.
There are reason to believe that the USD will be high for a bit of a time, 2-3 years more isn't out of the question. After that it's anyone's guess. These things changes always, because after a while the countries with a low currency picks up speed.
This means that the caps growth can be slow for a year or two more, and then it will be back to normal. Down the road we could see a huge growth when the loonie picks up speed again, but if that's in 2 years or 5 years or 8 years, is kinda hard to tell.
Anyway, with a rapidly growing cap long contracts kind of pays it self. A player signed under a 50m cap is a bargain under a 70m contract. Now it's the time to be a bit cautious. Keep space and not make misstakes. I preached the opposite when the cap was growing, it's not anymore.
We also must count on what's unforseen today. Today we might wanna keep everyone, in May we desperately might wanna be tougher, and in May 2016 we might wanna get faster. We could loose any player on the roster forever tonight and any other night. And more and one player too.
I liked what I saw from McIlrath last night, for the first time ever. I've maybe seen him 15 times, before I've liked what I hoped to see some rather in than later. Time passed. But last night he played like a stay at home D on a top pairing should play. He was in the AHL kinda what a Seabrock is in the NHL. How do we handle him? As a 7th D next year? we make room for him in the top 6? What's MSLs plans now and what will they be after the POs? Hagelin looks worried not he ice and credible people like BBKrs with excellent inside info reports he is worried. How much of a hometown discount is he willing to take? 2 years and a good deal? 5 year at a secure my future rate?
There are a lot of questions and many issues. Many options. But we really need to manage our cap going forward and sometime there will be casualities.