Salary Cap = "Fiscal Responsibility"

Larry Brooks of the NY Post has an article out today. Here are some excerpts:

"Let's stipulate that Henrik Lundqvist and Steve Valiquette have spots in goal; that Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Matt Gilroy have five spots on defense; that Brandon Dubinsky, Vinny Prospal and Chris Drury have three spots at center; and that Avery, Lisin, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik and Donald Brashear have seven spots on the wing.

Those 17 players account for approximately $52.455 million under the $56.8 million cap."

- Don't worry. It gets better. Trust me.


"Michael Del Zotto is in for a $1,087,500 cap charge, including Entry Level bonuses. Teams theoretically could exceed the cap by up to $4.26 million by deferring bonuses into next year, but no team intends to do that. If Alexei Semenov signs, it likely will be for approximately $550,000.

Thus, adding Del Zotto and Semenov would increase the cap number to $54.092 million.

Evgeni Grachev carries a $933,333 cap charge, and Artem Anisimov's is $821,666, with both including Entry Level bonuses. If Avery is out, it's likely Tortorella would prefer both be on the roster. That would increase the cap number to $55.847 million.

And that would leave no room for Aaron Voros, who has a cap charge of $1 million, and might create a temporary spot as 12th forward (minus Avery) for Brian Boyle, whose number is $525,000.

But Voros would have to clear waivers to go down and re-entry to come back up. It's unlikely the Rangers would risk a recall that would cost $500,000 or dead cap space this year and next. So if Voros goes to Hartford, he almost certainly stays there for the duration."


For the full article click here


- This has to scare you if you're a Rangers fan. This is a prime example of what happens when you don't make shrewd, sound FA signings and trades. Redden and Rosival's contracts have absolutely hampered the Rangers' financial flexibility and maneuverability and it might cost someone (Voros) who deserves a roster spot. Good luck working out of this one, Glen.