How Some Contracts are Ruining the League

[Marshal Rochambeau]

It has happened a lot in the last few years where a player has a few good seasons, enters free agency, signs a lucrative deal, and then starts to suck. David Clarkson, Chris Stewart, Mike Richards, and Ville Leino are a few. If anything is ruining the league it is these players that essentially create dead cap space for teams, thus hindering their competitiveness and wasting Millions of dollars.

I don't believe it is the GMs fault entirely, because they are under pressure from owners to win. But no matter whose fault it is, it is the fans who suffer, because they have to deal with these terrible players on the ice realizing that their money is going into their pockets.

The 8 year contract limit was a step in the right direction, but the League needs to take more action. Contracts should be a lot more liquid. Maybe a compliance buyout can be used once every two years or something. Anyway that is my best idea as of now. What are your thoughts?

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[SladeWilson23]

Don't forget Dustin Brown.

 

[Machinehead]

2 years is too little, but I wouldn't be against recuperating buyouts every 5 years or so.

 

[Bandit]

Don't forget Dustin Brown.

Amazing how the Kings have two of the worst contracts listed in the first two posts, yet have 2 of the last 3 cups. Imagine what they could do if their competitiveness wasn't hindered...

 

[Primary Assist]

Don't forget Dustin Brown.

We won't

 

[thelos]

Vinny Lecavalier, RJ Umberger, Andrew MacDonald = 15 million dollars

 

[NikF]

Amazing how the Kings have two of the worst contracts listed in the first two posts, yet have 2 of the last 3 cups. Imagine what they could do if their competitiveness wasn't hindered...

When you're as deep as the Kings are somebody's production is going to suffer. That's not even taking into account "the system". Unfortunately a lot of people lack perspective when looking at issues like these, whether it's actually realizing what the going rate for certain players is these days or not knowing that just because someone is used as an utility player on a team with depth to spare doesn't automatically make that player a 4th line center.

 

[Braunbaer]

Why more compliance buyouts?
Just don't offer horrible contracts.

 

[oXo Cube]

Teams deserve to be punished for making bad decisions

Eventually the cap will stop going up by 7 million dollars every year and these contracts will start happening less

 

[tarheelhockey]

The money has to be spent regardless. It's in the CBA, they either spend on salaries or they give it up in escrow.

The only thing is whether a GM chooses to show some discretion, or blow his budget on the UFA grinder du jour.

 

[Shrimper]

Maybe teams shouldn't spend that. Up to them to do diligence. These contracts will go up as the cap increases.

 

[mouser]

Don't quite understand how some GM's making poor decisions amounts to "ruining the league".

 

[umwoz]

Would compliance buyouts every few years not be an incentive to spend recklessly?

I'm fine with the idea that giving bad contracts can handcuff a team, otherwise what is the deterrent to throwing money at UFA's?

 

[JKG33]

It has happened a lot in the last few years where a player has a few good seasons, enters free agency, signs a lucrative deal, and then starts to suck. David Clarkson, Chris Stewart, Mike Richards, and Ville Leino are a few. If anything is ruining the league it is these players that essentially create dead cap space for teams, thus hindering their competitiveness and wasting Millions of dollars.

I don't believe it is the GMs fault entirely, because they are under pressure from owners to win. But no matter whose fault it is, it is the fans who suffer, because they have to deal with these terrible players on the ice realizing that their money is going into their pockets.

The 8 year contract limit was a step in the right direction, but the League needs to take more action. Contracts should be a lot more liquid. Maybe a compliance buyout can be used once every two years or something. Anyway that is my best idea as of now. What are your thoughts?

Ignoring the woe is me tone of your post, at least get the facts straight. Mike Richards is not at all like the other three you listed. He neither went to free agency nor does he suck. He is a good second line centre, who is paid and produces as such. Heck, he'd be on the first line of your team.

Its a shame so many people can conclude that a player sucks simply by stat watching, all because the team's games are past their bedtime.

And if you're looking for someone to blame for "ruining the league," look no further than your own GM who is a big reason why cap circumventing deals are outlawed.

Don't forget Dustin Brown.

I just... wow. What are the chances of the first two posts in this thread containing so little knowledge? Probably high I guess, this is HF.

 

[darkbrew*]

wasted cap space doesn't make players disappear or play worse

 

[trick9]

If they had compliance buyouts every 2 years, there would just be more of these ridiculous contracts knowing that you either hit the jackpot or get the free pass.

 

[SladeWilson23]

Ignoring the woe is me tone of your post, at least get the facts straight. Mike Richards is not at all like the other three you listed. He neither went to free agency nor does he suck. He is a good second line centre, who is paid and produces as such. Heck, he'd be on the first line of your team.

Its a shame so many people can conclude that a player sucks simply by stat watching, all because the team's games are past their bedtime.

And if you're looking for someone to blame for "ruining the league," look no further than your own GM who is a big reason why cap circumventing deals are outlawed.

I just... wow. What are the chances of the first two posts in this thread containing so little knowledge? Probably high I guess, this is HF.

I don't disagree with anything you just said, but you still insult me.

 

[Alklha]

Compliance buyouts favour rich teams and are would lead to them offering more stupid contracts in UFA because they have a way out. It isn't a well thought out idea. It works fine as it is with teams being punished by being lumbered with their bad decisions.

And Chris Stewart is an odd player to have on your list. He isn't good, but it is a 2 year deal.

 

[KingsFan7824]

It's why players wanted free agency to begin with.

I'm sure every GM would like to have the compliance option more often. Don't know how much the PA would be in favor of it every year or two, but I guess it would be a starting point.

 

[The Macho King]

It has happened a lot in the last few years where a player has a few good seasons, enters free agency, signs a lucrative deal, and then starts to suck. David Clarkson, Chris Stewart, Mike Richards, and Ville Leino are a few. If anything is ruining the league it is these players that essentially create dead cap space for teams, thus hindering their competitiveness and wasting Millions of dollars.

I don't believe it is the GMs fault entirely, because they are under pressure from owners to win. But no matter whose fault it is, it is the fans who suffer, because they have to deal with these terrible players on the ice realizing that their money is going into their pockets.

The 8 year contract limit was a step in the right direction, but the League needs to take more action. Contracts should be a lot more liquid. Maybe a compliance buyout can be used once every two years or something. Anyway that is my best idea as of now. What are your thoughts?

There's zero chance the NHLPA are going to give up guaranteed contracts, nor should they.

Also, hate the compliance buyout idea. That basically means that money comes out of the players' share, which is going to come out of the cap of all teams instead of the team that signed the contract.

I actually really like the current system. It really rewards the teams with good GMs, and teams with bad GMs are going to be punished with bad contracts. Keep it I say.

 

[Marshal Rochambeau]

The point I'm trying to make is that the players play well, get a good contract, then start to suck. See the pattern? If players can get bought out easily, then they have to play well or lose the contract.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Teams deserve to be punished for making bad decisions

Eventually the cap will stop going up by 7 million dollars every year and these contracts will start happening less

I agree--Some GM just do not know how to negotiate contracts

why the heck the oilers gave Pouliot a 5 year 20mill deal is beyond me. He had few good games but that is it

 

[Hivemind]

A steady stream of compliance buyouts creates advantages for teams who can spend beyond the salary cap. It essentially would be league-condone cap circumvention, and would further the advantages of the wealthier teams.

 

[SladeWilson23]

The point I'm trying to make is that the players play well, get a good contract, then start to suck. See the pattern? If players can get bought out easily, then they have to play well or lose the contract.

They'd still get paid, so there is no incentive for a player to play well.

 

[ricky0034]

anyone stupid enough to sign the likes of Leino or Clarkson to the deals they got deserves to have dead cap space to be honest

The money has to be spent regardless. It's in the CBA, they either spend on salaries or they give it up in escrow.

The only thing is whether a GM chooses to show some discretion, or blow his budget on the UFA grinder du jour.

the escrow thing works both ways though doesn't it?

I don't know the exact numbers but hypothetically if every team spent to the cap ceiling wouldn't it be the players giving money back?