- Jun 10, 2014
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I was just thinking about this. You're right that as a pure rental, future cap changes (up or down) don't matter at all. The only way I could see a falling cap matter is that if the market suddenly becomes more flooded with rentals this season as teams are forced or more inclined to start shedding some expensive vets.
The other way I could see it having an impact on Ladd's return is if there are teams interested in Ladd as both a rental and a future signing. But the falling cap now looks to prevent that future signing. This won't change Ladd's value as a rental, but it does remove the "added bonus" of potentially signing Ladd for future seasons. Of course I know that signing is not guaranteed anyway. But I'd say the team which picks up Ladd for a cup run probably has a slight leg up over other teams.
Both good points Puck. I think we see a lot of players available in the off-season as teams try to shed cap. GMs will be trying to anticipate even now. That might also increase the value of some of the futures. Some teams may plan on dumping some expensive players and replacing them with their near ready prospects. The teams most likely in cap trouble are the same ones who are usually buyers at the TD, the contenders.
While these kinds of factors might reduce the return we get for Ladd (and any other player we might be inclined to sell) they increase the value of retaining the flexibility of some available cap space. That could also make bridge deals for Scheif and Trouba more likely and smaller at the same time.
Interesting times.