adurn said:
They finished the season on a tear, and if they're still around in a few years, they could be a force. One question though, will they even be able to pay Ovechkin. Are they still in financial trouble after dumping all their big name players? They couldn't even pay Fleury.
I think the thing with Fleury was that this team was not going to win this year and he was going to be shelled. While I am sure finances played a part, i think it was beneficial from all sides for him to go down to CB.
Most likely some form of salary cap will be put in place next year and it most likely will be in the $35-45 million range. That puts the pens approx 10-20 million under and that counting the whole contract, unlike in the NFL were bonus are spread out over the contract. There will also be some form of money sharing most likely. Under this conditions, the pens will be able to compete.
However, that is a big if since the NHLPA has said a complete "no" to some sort of cap. Hopefully the owners stay strong, and get through it with some sort of cap.
Im still waiting to see if the NHL will bring in replacement players and actually try to play some sort of season. I think that would put some pressure on the NHLPA.