What The Rozsival Trade Means For The Cap
When the Rangers traded Michal Rozsival for Wojtek Wolski, they took on a contract identical in length (one remaining year after this season), but at a $1.2 million discount. Using CapGeek’s daily tracker, the Rangers bank an extra $6,000 per day towards this year’s trade deadline (using the formula of salary / 186 day regular season). That is roughly an extra $288,000 the Rangers can use at the deadline on a pro-rated contract if they want to make a splash at the deadline (for more on banking space, refer to my post yesterday.
For the first time in a long time, the Rangers have the cap space to make a deal without having to send salary the other way. As of now, the Rangers can take on $10.3 million in full season cap space at the trade deadline. Sure, many are going to cringe at “what Glen Sather can do”, but let’s actually think about this rationally for a second. Sather has been masterful with his trades, this one included, so what exactly are you fearing? Slats isn’t going to sacrifice the youth movement for someone who fills a hole. Slats will move spare parts or expendable prospects for someone that will fill that hole, perhaps that hole is a puck moving defenseman. Last I checked, the Panthers will be sellers. Last I checked, Bryan McCabe has an expiring contract too. I’m not saying anything here, I’m just speculating that he might be a good fit.
As for next year, it gives the Rangers an extra $1.2 million to work with under the summer cap (10% increase over the salary cap). This extra space is critical, because Wade Redden ($6.5 million) comes back for the summer cap. With Alex Frolov ($3 million), Vinny Prospal ($1.08 + bonuses), Ruslan Fedotenko ($1 million), and Steve Eminger ($1.125) set to become free agents, it leaves open roster spots for a big time center. Naturally, all rumors will point to Brad Richards here, and for good reason. He would be a good summer acquisition (he’s not coming at the deadline folks). Other big names this offseason will include Alex Semin and Andrei Markov (Markov would look great in blue). Extra cap space goes a long way in today’s game, and the Rangers actually have some room to spare.
By RangerSmurf, January 11, 2011 @ 11:49 am
If Richards comes on board, either Stepan, Anisimov, or Boyle must go to the wing. There’s cap room for Richards, but not a roster spot persay, at least with the centers currently on board.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
I personally would sell high on Boyle. I don’t think he can repeat this year he’s having.
RangerSmurf Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Well the alternative is to knock him and Prust back to the 4th line, but give them real minutes. Drury puts a wrinkle into that plan, however.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
But if no trades are involved, I would put Stepan on the wing until he learns how to win a faceoff.
Of course, AA on the wing could jumpstart his game like it did to Dubi.
By Brian, January 11, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
The key distinction like you said Dave, was that in previous seasons we would have had to move salary out in order to make a significant trade deadline acquisition. This is not the case this year. Slats and management have done an excellent job at developing players while moving out expendables for viable assets all the while improving the teams salary structure. The Wolski trade is just another saavy move.
I’d have to believe that he will at least make a move to add a veteran L-handed defenceman on an expiring contract while leaving the O intact. I hope that what you say is true and Brad Richards isn’t in play because I don’t want to shell out the young assets to get him. I am rooting for Dallas now and counting the days until the trade deadline.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Veteran lefty defenseman on expiring contract that can play the PP point….McCabe. It makes too much sense really.
Jordan Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Kaberle as well, right?
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
True. That cost will be too high though. Burke is going to want Slats’ first born for him.
Jordan Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Probably, yes. But you never know anymore. If someone would have said 2 years ago that on 1/11/11 Gomez and Rosi would be traded for valuable pieces and Redden wouldn’t be on the Rangers, I’d have laughed and said only under a different unknown GM. I’m believing in Sather now. He has a clear, winning vision and it seems to be working.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
The biggest thing with Slats is that he owned up to the pre-lockout mistakes. He’s been masterful with trades. All he needs is me next to him to tell him what market value is during the summers and we will be fine.
Jordan Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
For fair market value of your services, of course.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
I’d do it for free if it got me a full time job later down the road.
By KC, January 11, 2011 @ 12:52 pm
Markov?? The guy coming off TWO major knee surgeries? I think not! He’s the kind of guy the Rangers sign, he blows out his knee again, and Ranger fans say what bad luck we have:see Lindros, Bure, Lafontaine; etc.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 12:53 pm
Ah right, forgot about those injuries.
By Gary, January 11, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
I did not want to be the first to say it but I would not be suprised if you see Semin and Richards on this team next year.
Dave Reply:
January 11th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I would be. The only way they fit that under the summer cap is to get rid of Drury and/or void Redden’s contract.