Selling the buyout

Quick hit this morning. An article over at The Hockey News caught my eye and I thought I’d share.

Author John Grigg does an excellent job looking at one ugly side-effect of the new salary cap system: the buyout effect. While most teams are not caught with an albatross contract or two leeching precious millions from the team’s salary, others are not so lucky (see: New York Islanders). These teams have to live with an obviously regretful business decision, and are constantly reminded of that decision at every budget meeting.

So, are there any lingering contracts on the Montreal Canadiens’ books? Fortunately, no. As of this year, Montreal’s team salary is free of buyout contracts. Jassen Cullimore and Tony Salmelainen were the two last buyout contracts on the books, and they were settled last year. If you recall, they were the price to pay to dump Sergei Samsonov to the Chicago Blackhawks.

At any rate, I feel that the contracts in the post-lockout era are getting out of hand. All sorts of clever tricks are being crafted in the bowels of front offices across the league. Marian Hossa’s new contract with the Blackhawks is a shining example of what this CBA has become.

It’s about time that the league takes a good hard look at contract salaries, terms and buyout options.

Give and Go

Finally, a little action. Olympic training camps are providing hockey fans with a little something to hold them over until the season starts. And hey, only 37 days to go. On that note, here is your Tuesday morning Give and Go…

• Habs on the Prize beats me to the punch and posted a 2009 Montreal Canadiens Fantasy Preview. Very detailed information and predictions. Now, don’t get antsy and draft Cammy too early!
• Ya! The Habs Rule! takes a good look at Mike Keane, former Habs captain. 42 years young and still going strong, God bless you, Keaner.
• Jim Balsillie is tabling an amended offer for the Coyotes that would have them immediately relocated to Hamilton, with our without Gary’s blessing. Sure Jim, because that will change people’s perception of you.
• Joe Thornton seems pretty confident that he will get his ‘A’ back, if not the ‘C’. What, is Jed Ortmeyer out of the running?
• Big no to the Big O? How very disappointing.
• James Mirtle does a good job separating the hopefuls from the hopeless on Team Canada’s Olympic roster.
• Speaking of Team Canada, here’s a little something to bring you back to the glory days of 2002.

Alexander Avtsin: “Ovechkin #2″

You may or may not recall the Montreal Canadiens using their 109th overall pick to select Alexander Avstin at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, hosted in Montreal earlier this summer. What you probably didn’t know at the time is that he is already being hailed as the next Alex Ovechkin.

Sorting out the East: Top 8

I have had a lot of fun making my predictions for the upcoming season. Many of you enjoyed my predictions for the bottom seven of the conference and I have been diligently working on my top eight. So, as promised earlier this week, here is my top eight ranked teams of the Eastern Conference for the 2009-2010 season.

Counting on Komo

Despite committing the ultimate sin of defecting to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mike Komisarek is a a Hell of a player and one that will surely be missed during this upcoming season. While Bob Gainey tried to replace Mike’s presence on the blueline, it would be difficult at best to find someone as hard-hitting, dedicated and with such leadership qualities as his. I sincerely believe that he will thrive in Toronto, and Team USA as well.

He has the particularly advantaegous situation of playing for the same coach and general manager in both the NHL and the Olympics. Ron Wilson, Brian Burke and Mike Komisarek should be the best of friends in no time. Burke loves players like him; expect Komisarek to play heavy minutes for the Leafs and be counted on tremendously for the Olympics.

Give and Go

My bold predictions seem to be generating some debate; the feedback has been good so far. Leafs fans are, of course, less than impressed. Anyway, 43 days until the first puck drops. Until then, here is your Tuesday morning Give and Go…

• Team Canada unveiled their new Vancouver 2010 Olympic jersey. Not a bad design. Would I pay $400 for an authentic? Probably not.
• Shane Corson is a steak and potatoes kind of guy.
• Coach Martin wants a clean slate and discipline on and off the ice. Shouldn’t be too much to ask. The owners of Chez Parée, however, are devastated.
• Habs on the Prize reveal 10 things they’d like to see happen in 2009-2010.
• Captain Marleau was relieved of command in San Jose. Is the writing on the wall yet? What if he was willing to waive his no-trade clause? Sic ‘em Bob!
• Finally, speaking of Mr. Marleau, I will leave you with a taste of what he brings to the table.

Sorting out the East: Bottom 7

As we slowly near the first puck-drop of the 2009-2010 season, things are still quiet in the dog days of summer. Soon, however, both NHL and Olympic training camps will commence and before you know it, exhibition games. So, while we patiently wait for the festivities to begin, I will attempt to make my bold prediction for the 2009-2010 Eastern Conference standings.

These rankings are my outlook on the season. They are based primarily on last season’s performance, off-season acquisition, prospects in the system and likelihood to win. Without further ado, I give you my predictions.