Canes Cash? It's In The Bank

Wow what a great summation of what is really going on with where we are at with the players salaries compared to the other teams in the NHL. Maybe this will cool down all the hot heads posting about how JR is going to bankrupt this organization.
Great work Cory!

Caron

Great article that really show how sensible all of our contracts are – or at least shows how comical many of the contracts are around the league. Staal is probably due for a big raise, around 7 million a season I’d say – but he is one who is certainly worth it. Great job by JR all-around.

Anyone who is critical of J.R. just is not paying attention. He is, bar none, the best GM in the league. His moves are amazing. The thought of Toronto coveting him scares me as a Canes fan. He has shown great loyalty to this organization and to the area. Jim, if you read this, thank you and keep up the great work.

Another losing will all but bankrupt this franchise. Under the share deal, they don’t make the PO’s this time it’s gonna be real bad. I agree that JR is pretty slick, Holland I would say is my favorite. We miss the PO, I could see JR bailing, this franchise would be in financial trouble. BTW, you breezed over Staaly pretty quick, let’s be realistic and say they are saving to make him an offer and I think they will this summer AND it’s going to be juicy and probably near top 15 money. So good article, but that contract is in the wings and is involved in every money choice they have made.

A

Definitely agree, Paladin … but even if Staal’s new deal gets done before this season, it won’t impact what the numbers look like right now. Staal needs to get paid, and that’s a whole topic in and of itself. But when you compare what JR has done in prepping for that deal to, say, Chicago (overpaid for Campbell & Huet) with contracts due for Kane, Toews and the rest of their young stars in the next season or two … I think you’ll find JR’s at least making it realistic that the team won’t have to be torn apart to get the franchise players signed.

Ken: JR’s one of the best, IMO … but Holland has to be No. 1, and Lamoriello 1A, and I think Dave Poile needs to be mentioned, too (if not for the ownership mess, he’d get mentioned a lot more). And people will be mentioning Dean Lombardi in about three years, too (built the Sharks and is doing an even better job in L.A.). I think Dave Nonis is the best available GM (raw deal in Vancouver).

Cory,
Great article. Thanks for highlighting one of this organizations strongpoints, getting players signed to reasonable contracts. JR has done a wonderful job of of assembling a competitive roster at a reasonable salary. We have the cap room to go out and get those proverbial final pieces for a deep playoff run.
Staal will be the first Hurricane to sign the HUGE contract, and deservedly so. He represents both the present and the future of this franchise. Karmonos and JR will do what’s right to keep him in Raleigh.
One thing we haven’t really hit on is, that this is Staaly’s CONTRACT YEAR, you know what the say about players playing for a contract….see Julius Peppers in Charlotte headed toward probable career year.
Staal will be an man on a mission this year. Here’s hoping he gets of to a fast start. Incidently, he may have a direct impact on the size of Ruutu’s next contract.
Can we possibly have a maratorium on the Negative Nancy comments so early in the ’morn?

agreeing with the above, great article!, very interesting read. I really like where this org sits right now. I understand paladins (mr. devils advocate) point that staal will be a top 15, but still, Im happy with the guys we have in the 2-3.5 mil range. We’ll have plenty of room to sign Staal. To me the team seems to have great balance. I also expect a HUGE year out of Staal. I expect him to continue to grow/mature/improve as he showed after Brindy went down last year. I expect him to be a lot higher on stat sheets this year than last. Im expecting a 100+ pt. season for him. I also agree with Swenk on the Negative Nancy thing……..I mean really if your opening line begins anything like “Another losing will all but bankrupt this franchise. Under the share deal, they don’t make the PO’s this time it’s gonna be real bad” your only wasting everyones time! When I read this I imagine you, at home in your moms basement dressed head to toe in Red Wing shit just waiting for a chance to not play nice. Remember if you dont have anything nice to say (“I can see JR bailing….”) dont say anything at all! If your not a canes fan why are you even here?

Tyler

Caveat** Not a Lavi fan"

I could see JR bailin"

Another losing will all but bankrupt this franchise"

BTW, Lavi is probably the coach most likely to get canned at this point"

Same sort of feeling in a diff. situation with Cole. The kids good, but he never earned his check since the neck"

Lavi’s just not my guy."

Paladin…We all know that Babcocks your favorite, and that Hollands your favorite, and that you broke your neck like cole, and cole never “earned his paycheck” and yadda yadda yadda, youve never had anything worth a shit to say

All good points, however right now, this season we are not in the top 15 in the NHL highest paid players and look at the team we have. There is only one word for that and that is unbelievable. That is the point at hand today. That is what this GM has done for this team today. JR (along with this organization) has worked his magic again. What we are looking at with Staal and Lavi that is for another day, another salary list, another season. Today we are golden.
Great job JR and team. Go Canes.

Caron

TylerA,

Forget your meds today?

Thanks for all the requotes, saves me time having to repeat myself….

Haven’t worn my Yzerman jersey in years. I think I painted MY house last time I wore it.

Maybe your angry at the truth?

You should seek help or become a sabres fan.

A

your just simply a pessimest to the max…..no one here cares for your negativity, thats all Im sayin’ Save if for the Avs chats. We (Canes Country faithful) dont mind the truth, nor do we mind a good debate, but man, you just seem to sit and wait for any chance you can get to just be negative…..its not healthy for ya pal.

Tyler,
Thanks for the back-up, there will be plenty of times to come down on the team during the season. This is the time of year where hope springs eternal and everyone has a shot at the Cup. Personally, I have no problem paying Staaly the big bucks. How many of you would approve signing him to a 5 year 30-35 million dollar deal? Even four years a 7 mill per?

Not true, several teams don’t have a prayer. There is still at least one team that if they don’t spend more money they are under the minimum cap number and won’t be able to play. I can’t wait to see that play out.

3 types of blind.

Blind

Blind faith

and the ever popular Blind stupidity

JR is not the best GM-Fact

Lavi is not the best coach-Fact

While you revel in mediocrity, I like to strive for the final goal, The Cup.

There can only be one in a given year.

Can you honestly say you wouldn’t trade any of our defence guys for a Lidstrom?

Outside of Staal trade a forward for how about gaining a Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, Hossa, Sundin, Zetterbrg or any of the dozen top players?

In goal, I kinda like our crew this year. If Nabokov came available, though or Brodeur (can’t believe I actually said that)?

That’s the reality of the game. You can love whoever you want for whatever reason, but the game is all about the cup.

Period.

This franchise did not step up to run with the big dogs. The piece mealed together a pretty good roster. However they have created a mongolian cluster phuck by having the coach on the block, scrimping on the payroll and having a talented GM that can have a job at another franchise with a phone call.

Dream and be all warm and fuzzy all you want. I am life long fan of the game and the league.

If the reality of which I speak is too harsh, just don’t read it.

It’s how the game is nowadays, so please consider reposting any and all of my posts as often and in as many places as you can. Because until the reality of the situation sinks in to all of us we are in danger of losing the franchise. This ain’t Pittsburg and Big K ain’t got bottomless pockets. The team has to succeed and make money or he’s gonna have to bail. I honestly believe if the’Canes throw another loser season out there, Lavi’s gone and I bet JR get’s some sick juicy offers that will look a helluva lot better than being in Raliegh after a third straight disgrace.

Maybe your rose colored glasses are blinging you, maybe you just have eternal faith in the organization, I think your stupid if you don’t realize what’s going on. This year will be far more important on jobs and the future than just games. The cup is the end game, do you really feel we are the ones?

Do you feel the organization has made the best effort it can?

When I ask myself those questions I have to honestly answer No.

A

i think the comment was more directed at your negativity, dude. which you have done a pretty good job of spreading all over the comments section with Tolstoyesque posts.

If we don’t make the playoffs with this team, I’m not looking to JR or Lavi for blame, I will be looking to some players for blame. They are who should be held more accountable. I won’t get into names just yet, but I have my eye on a few players who needs to put out or get out.

Caron

What I don’t get is why JR will be more desirable if the team makes it three straight years w/o making the playoffs.

I’ll add my 2 cents into this. First off, it doesn’t really bother me to see the negativity. Everyone has their own viewpoint on things. Of course, I disagree with a lot of what Paladin says, but different viewpoints spur discussion, and that’s usually a good thing.

As far as JR leaving if the team loses again this year…I don’t see it happening. First off, JR and Karmanos have been working together for a very long time, and their relationship is much tighter than a typical working relationship. JR might even have some ownership options within Gale Force Holdings, an affiliated company. My own opinion is that JR isn’t going anywhere unless it’s a very, very special job, (like Toronto might have been). But I think we all know that Brian Burke is headed to Toronto next year.

While I may have been singing Lavi’s praises yesterday and Cory, JR’s, today, both men have made mistakes and in my opinion, are equally responsible, (as are the players) for last year’s disappointment. (I’ve mentioned this before on the blog.) As with most situations, there is enough blame to go around for everyone.

Lavi made some strategic mistakes down the stretch, and the team certainly wasn’t focused at times during the year when they seemed to mail in efforts in December and January. But JR screwed the pooch when he signed John Grahame for 2 years. He did nothing to correct the situation when Grahame stunk after year one. While we can’t blame all the troubles of the past 2 years on John Grahame, I don’t think anyone would argue that his signing, (the dollar amount as well as the term) was a mistake. That’s on the GM. The signing of Tanabe was questionable as well. There were better options out there, (but more expensive) than signing a questionable David Tanabe, who couldn’t get a contract with any other NHL team at the time. I think the fact that the Canes had to buy out his contract as well as Hamilton’s is an admission to a mistake by the GM. Those would be a couple of examples of what I would consider JR’s mistakes. But, he’s obviously made many more good moves, than bad ones. (That Stillman/Commodore for Corvo/Eaves deal will look like highway robbery this year)

Paladin, I also think you underestimate the strength of the franchise here. The Canes just renewed the lease at the RBC for another 20 years. While leases certainly can be broken, it’s a sweetheart of a deal and the signing indicates that the Canes are happy here, otherwise why bother to sign the extension in the first place?

There are other franchises which are much more apt to move before the Hurricanes. What about Atlanta and Florida? Atlanta has made it to the playoffs only once in their entire existence, while Florida hasn’t in how many years? Bottom line, while a couple of franchises might move, the NHL can’t move them all. Win or lose, Carolina is here to stay for a bit, in my opinion.

Bubba,

  Well said, I agree with about 98% of that. Why sign the lease? They are bleeding cash like opec bleeds oil. They’d sell children to get money in right now.

  You wanna sell a franchise, the ‘Canes are much more valuable now rather than after a fire sale. Another losing season and the share deal has them buried under cement until the 2010 snivvle option. That’s 2 more years of unabated bleeding.

  As for JR’s and love for big K, yea, I agree it’s tight. Toronto was in spittin’ distance and if you add in a down turn in the ‘Canes I think he could be pried away. He’s top shelf, he and everyone else knows it. I’d take him over Burke. As for the final few lines, think about what you said in the big picture.

There are alot of venues out there with a shitpile of money. How long and how much can our franchise take before some of the bigger pieces get traded or sold?

It’s all about getting the cup and spending the coin. My position is we spent too much and don’t have enough. While some won’t point fingers, I will. Kaberle is a waste of skates for that money, so is Wallin. Thank God Grahame is gone.

My two questions are still unanswered by anyone other than me.

Is this the team that wins the cup?

Has this franchise put 100% effort into making this a contender team?

My answers again are no, this does not look like a Cup team. This looks like another JR Wal Mart deal that will serve the purpose of being competative.

The second question is a no brainer, the franchise has obviously not put total effort into making a cup team.

Yea, it’s a bitter pill, I gave up my season tickets in protest. Ain’t like I won’t go to a bunch of games, but, it’s the numbers in ink that speak. JR has the pull to get some high profile players, Big still has some nickels. If they don’t go all out, what does that say?

I actually don’t want to be a piss on the parade kinda guy, but I look around and see the same idiocy and style that lost the Hornets. While they sucked and basketball sucks, the ncaa is like a religion around here. So MJ can run a car dealership but the whole state can’t keep an nba team?

It’s about the money. While some of you are rabid fans, you don’t cover the janitors salary let alone the players. This team has to start winning, getting on the tube and getting the share money.

 We had the big push for the All Star game (making attendance, remember?) and then the whole ’Canes world just shut off after the cup.

60 of us here on this blog whining about shit cause there ain’t no hockey on the tube is pathetic.

20,000 is all it takes to fill the arena, they ain’t all season ticket holders so say we need 40,000 fans to keep seats warm.

Over 80 or so games.

I am not trying to piss on your parade, I want NHL hockey here. I just need you all to put the pieces together. The few folks here, while very opinionated, don’t really make up squat. The arena is not selling out as near as much as it needs to. The powers that be are raising prices and making long term deals to stay liquid. We just shit canned Cole who looked to be a franchise guy, that may scare other players.

I am just trying to convey that while looking optomistic and having a fair roster is almost second to what is actually going on.

Can anyone say if Roddy’s back and on his game this year? That will be huge. You gotta control the puck and if rod’s not there to snag the face off we just lost a key piece. We don’t start off real good and what happens with Lavi? When do you can him? 20 losses, 30? So say no Rod, were 30 losses and it’s january. What do you do?

Get all kinds of pissed, say what you want. That is real, that is possible and that is friggin’ ugly.

So at that point you double JR’s salary, buy him a house and give him a job in Toronto and you think he doesn’t consider it?

I dunno gang. I throw beers and hate refs and opposing teams, but I’d dam sure like to see a solid orginization. I’d like to of seen LaRose treated better. I like the Cole deal, but I think it could of been handled better. Graham, ’nuff said. Ticket prices are going up.

All this and we don’t hear squat from the front office about the state of the team, the potential line make ups, the injury reports, nothing.

I live in walking distance of the arena all you’d have to do is yell and I’d be happy. What about folks in Wake Forest or Chapel Hill, the Triad, Charlotte. This team fails time and agian at promoting themselves.

If they don’t care why should I?

Yea, it’s negative, yea, it’s not all warm and fuzzy.

Am I actually that wrong, though? Or do I just phrase it and view it in a bad light?

Look, I like this little blog. I like the ’Canes. I think we the fans have been let down by both management and players from time to time, but consistant enough to hurt the team and our efforts.

I still haven’t read where that isn’t how almost everyone here feels. I’m the only one that’s pissed off about it, though.

Maybe more than 2 cents, but, still worth what ya paid for it.

A

You know, it takes a while, and mistakes, to steer a team to become a powerhouse like Detroit. If you look at Detroit big picture, they had quite a few years where they sucked and no one was going to games. They managed to eventually put all the pieces together and now run an exemplary organization.

The Hurricanes / Whalers organization, when you pull back and look at a longer timeline, has actually made great strides towards becoming an exemplary organization. They weren’t even in the NHL to begin with, played in a mall, and every time they DID land a “superstar,” that player demanded to be traded. They also never used to be able to hold onto prospects. Well, now they have been to the cup 2X winning once, have a great GM, and held onto a top prospect who is on the verge of becoming a superstar – Staal’s best years are ahead of him. This franchise is on the move upward. Players actually LIKE coming here now!

Sometimes franchise make mistakes or take a step backwards or two. As long as they keep improving in the BIG PICTURE, then they have my support. I went to those Hartford / Islander games in the ’80’s, when half of the seats were filled and %70 percent of those attending were from LI. I remember the battles with the “Mickey Mouse” NJ Devils for the basement. Looking back, this team has made GREAT STRIDES forward.

What moves would you make, Paladin? Would you throw ridiculous money around like the Rangers and Blackhawks did at Redden and Campbell, respectively? If Pitkanen lives up to what’s he’s capable of, he’ll be better than both. And he’ll be just 25 when the season starts. He has 19 point less than Bouwmeester (from the same draft) in 130 fewer career games. Going out and getting this guy and paying him is nickel and diming?

The whole “is this a Cup team” argument doesn’t hold up either. Was it a Cup team at the beginning of the year when they did win the Cup? Most experts said no. There are way too many variables to consider. Really, I’d give anyone a shot at the playoffs (maybe even L.A.), and once the playoffs start, anything can happen. If you’re ready to say “no, we have no shot” already, why bother? You said that’s why you watch … for the ultimate prize. If the team’s already out of it, in your mind, why bother?

Has the team struggled with marketing? Absolutely … that’s why PK is personally addressing it, and say what you want about the guy, but he’s a successful businessman. In the end, though, if you win you fill the building up. IMO, the team’s not only in a position to compete for the playoffs (and more) this year, but they’ve set themselves up to be able to do it long term. That was the entire point of the post. Too many GMs are caught up in the moment on July 1 and even admit to overpaying (see Tallon on Campbell) to “make a splash.” I’m not interested in July splashes, I’m interested in the pomp and circumstance of the entire season, the ebbs and flows, the great moments and not-so-great ones. If last season an absolute wash b/c they didn’t make the playoffs? For me, no … there are still great moments and great themes than ran through the season. All stuff that made my time invested worthwhile. I’m sorry it didn’t for you … but I can’t imagine a world where the only times the fans stay rabid is if their team wins. Imagine what would happen to college basketball around here?

Anyway, I love hearing your take … and I’m certainly not offended or disturbed by what some term your negativity. I just don’t agree.

Great discussion everyone.

Cory, I’ve got to say i DEFINATELY agree with you. Last season was a rollercoaster, and I was on the EDGE OF MY SEAT for those last bunch of games. Without the disappointment, victory doesn’t taste nearly as good. I was in NYC working at a rink for 1994, and followed the Whalers (and moved here with them) since 1980 when I went to school outside Hartford. Being part of the heartbreak (and being taunted by Islander fans with “1940” when all we had to come back with was derogatory jeers about Potvin & his wife) made the ’94 cup MUCH sweeter. Same goes for the ’Canes – seeing them emerge from Hartford and the mall and the roof collapse and all of that to make it to the finals – and then to win it, made it absolutely awesome. Now if only the Bills and Sabres could overcome adversity…

As for Paladin, my boss used to tell me; “you gotta take the shit with the sugar.”

I guess I am going to jump in on paladin side, to a small degree. I like that JR does not try to buy expensive talent for the sack of have whatever name on the back of the sweater ( See Gomez, Drury, Redden, and Campbell). Having said that, I also worry that they wont open the purse strings when a guy we could really benefit from comes available, albeit at a steeper price. It is a double edged sword for sure.

Good to see you back, wylde! JR did open the purse strings when it mattered most, and the ’Canes won the cup.

I am torn on this issue… but I have to say that I am glad we arent overpaying players. I dont want to hear anyone try and blame Carolina for the impending lockout.

good to be back Marc!
Good point. I guess at the end of the day, until this market really find its stride, we are always going to be dealing from a fiscally conservative position. All things aside, I like our squad next year.

Me again ;-)

We are at about the 50 mill. mark.

Detroit is about as close to 56 as you can get.

Anahiem is over 60, what’s up with that?

And La is around 32.

I like our roster. I’d like it better at 46 minus Wallin and Kaberle, but, whatever.

Detroit looks like about the same as last year, compare Kaberle and Wallins salary to Detroits same paid guys….

That leaves the other two. Anybody actyually know if LA will be forced to sit this season out if they don’t make the minimum?

Theres about 3 teams over the cap, what’s the cap for and what happens if you go over?

BTW, concerning sure about not making the cup, LA ain’t got a prayer, of that I am sure.

Cory/Marc I think we agree, just look at it from diff. perspectives.

Pack,

I hope nobody get’s the blame, it seems like it’s going to happen, not if but when.

Wyld,

I agree completley.

A

paladin, I do appreciate your views. It gives me something to think about and react to, and then re-think. It would suck if everyone agreed all the time.
I think there’s a fine to pay, or a percentage or some monetary compensation to the league if a team goes over the cap / under the minimum. From what I recall, it’s pretty steep. Someone may want to verify.

“If you wanna know if there are bee’s in the hive, kick it.”

I am not sure about this cap cap crap and is why I asked. I thought if you didn’t muster the minimum, you didn’t play. For going over I thought it was graduated money penalties.

And that just seems crazy, so I hope someone clears it up.

Thanks, Marc

A

Just an fyi, I hate the CBA. Anyway, here’s some info from it. It looks like Bettemen could keep a team from playing some or all of a season. Interesting it was left to the League’s discretion. Some other interesting clause look like the team would still have to pay the players.

Anyway,

Impose a fine of up to $5 million in the case of a Circumvention by
a Club or Club Actor, but in no circumstances shall such fine be
less than $1 million against any Club or Club Actor if such party is
found to have violated Article 50 of this Agreement. If such a fine
is assessed against a Club (except in the case of a financial
reporting violation), that Club’s Payroll Room shall also be
reduced by such amount for the following League Year;

Impose a fine against a Player of up to the lesser of $1 million or
twenty-five (25) percent of a Player’s Paragraph 1 Salary in the
case of a Circumvention by a Player or Player Actor, but in no
circumstances shall such fine be below the lesser of $250,000 or
twenty-five (25) percent of the Player’s Paragraph 1 Salary;

Direct a Club to forfeit draft picks (the number, placement, and
League Year of which shall be determined in the Commissioner’s
sole discretion);

Declare a forfeiture of any NHL Game(s) determined to have been
affected by a Circumvention;

Void any SPC, or any extension of an SPC, between any Player
and any Club when both the Player or Player Actor and the Club or
Club Actor are found to have committed such a violation with
respect to such SPC or extension;

Suspend any Club employee, Player, or Certified Agent involved
in such a violation for a period of time determined in the sole
discretion of the Commissioner, the System Arbitrator, or the
NHLPA, respectively.

26.3 Circumventions.

(a) No Club or Club Actor, directly or indirectly, may: (i) enter into any
agreements, promises, undertakings, representations, commitments, inducements,
assurances of intent, or understandings of any kind, whether express, implied, oral or
written, including without limitation, any SPC, Qualifying Offer, Offer Sheet or other
transaction, or (ii) take or fail to take any action whatsoever, if either (i) or (ii) is intended
to or has the effect of defeating or Circumventing the provisions of this Agreement or the
intention of the parties as reflected by the provisions of this Agreement, including
without limitation, provisions with respect to the financial and other reporting obligations
of the Clubs and the League, Team Payroll Range, Player Compensation Cost
Redistribution System, the Entry Level System and/or Free Agency.

ARTICLE 30
NHL CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS, LEAGUE AND CLUB RULES

30.1 League Rules. Subject to Section 30.3, the NHL, each Club and each Player
shall be bound by the provisions of the League Rules. In the event of a conflict between
this Agreement and said League Rules, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern. A
copy of the current League Rules, all amendments thereto, and any official interpretations
of this Agreement shall be available at the office of each Club. On or before September 1
of each League Year, the League shall send to the NHLPA a complete set of current
League Rules. No Player shall be bound by any provision of a League Rule that has not
been furnished to the NHLPA in accordance with this Article.

30.3 Amendments. The NHL and its Clubs shall not, during the term of this
Agreement or any extension thereof, amend or modify the provisions (or portions
thereof) of the League Rules or any of the League’s Playing Rules in existence on the
date of this Agreement which affect terms or conditions of employment of any Player,
without the prior written consent of the NHLPA which shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The NHL shall furnish any proposed amendment to the League Rules to the
NHLPA on a rolling basis regardless of whether such proposed amendment may impact
terms and conditions of employment.

A

Wow. Confusing as hell – I didn’t expect the forfeiture of games. That would impact the schedule, and just doesn’t seem like a good agreement. I kinda like the NBA cap rules better.

Seems like if your under the cap- your fine should be up to the cap min. If your over the cap, you should have to forfeit some games- due to being able to pay better players more money then what your allowed.

Maybe I’m just crazy?!