Cap projected at $70.3 million

[DelPen]

Scary thing is a floor of $53 million and a lot of teams are under. Martin might be better under a better coach/system but some teams may want him for that cap hit to even get to the floor.

That being said, realistic roster next year:

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
James Neal ($5.000m) / Evgeni Malkin ($8.700m) / Chris Kunitz ($3.725m)
Jordan Staal ($4.000m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Pascal Dupuis ($1.500m)
Matt Cooke ($1.800m) / Paul Gaustad ($3.000m) / Tyler Kennedy ($2.000m)
Eric Tangradi ($0.800m) / Joe Vitale ($0.550m) / Cam Janssen ($0.525m)
Craig Adams ($0.675m)
DEFENSEMEN
Paul Martin ($5.000m) / Zbynek Michalek ($4.000m)
Brooks Orpik ($3.750m) / Kris Letang ($3.500m)
Matt Niskanen ($2.500m) / Simon Despres ($0.840m)
Deryk Engelland ($0.567m) / Ben Lovejoy ($0.525m)
GOALTENDERS
Marc-Andre Fleury ($5.000m)
Tomas Vokoun ($1.500m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,156,667; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $2,143,333

[RisslingsMissingTeeth]

So would we say that the Nisky resigning is pretty much a slam dunk now? I genuinely hope so.

[sil]

I still think we're going to see one major move...based alone on Shero's statements following the collapse against the Flyers. Time will tell.

[sil]

So would we say that the Nisky resigning is pretty much a slam dunk now? I genuinely hope so.

Personally, I feel that $2,500,000 if pretty much overpayment for a 5th liner...especially when you still have $9,000,000 locked into Martin/Michalek for 3 more years. Paying Niskanen $2,500,000 is saying he's a top-4 defender.

[columbia]

I still think we're going to see one major move...based alone on Shero's statements following the collapse against the Flyers. Time will tell.

I have to agree.
Shero won't be satisfied by simply letting Sullivan, Asham & Park walk.


I sure wouldn't be.

[BurghersAndDogsSports]

Scary thing is a floor of $53 million and a lot of teams are under. Martin might be better under a better coach/system but some teams may want him for that cap hit to even get to the floor.

That being said, realistic roster next year:

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
James Neal ($5.000m) / Evgeni Malkin ($8.700m) / Chris Kunitz ($3.725m)
Jordan Staal ($4.000m) / Sidney Crosby ($8.700m) / Pascal Dupuis ($1.500m)
Matt Cooke ($1.800m) / Paul Gaustad ($3.000m) / Tyler Kennedy ($2.000m)
Eric Tangradi ($0.800m) / Joe Vitale ($0.550m) / Cam Janssen ($0.525m)
Craig Adams ($0.675m)
DEFENSEMEN
Paul Martin ($5.000m) / Zbynek Michalek ($4.000m)
Brooks Orpik ($3.750m) / Kris Letang ($3.500m)
Matt Niskanen ($2.500m) / Simon Despres ($0.840m)
Deryk Engelland ($0.567m) / Ben Lovejoy ($0.525m)
GOALTENDERS
Marc-Andre Fleury ($5.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $70,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,656,667; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $3,643,333

Definitely a fair guess on the lineup, even if its just for the money you have slotted in spots and not necessarily the players. Not sure how our salary compares to the next season when some contracts are up but with what you have above, it looks doable to keep most of the core together easily (IF the cap doesnt go way down in talks this summer).

If your numbers are correct (and hopefully we can trade one of the M & M's) we have a really good shot to add some size/grit up front and a couple of staple d-men. We dont need the 2nd coming of Rob Blake, we need 2 guys like Eaton (or Scuderi but I dont want to get into that conversation) to just be above average defensive players.

[DelPen]

So would we say that the Nisky resigning is pretty much a slam dunk now? I genuinely hope so.

Personally, I feel that $2,500,000 if pretty much overpayment for a 5th liner...especially when you still have $9,000,000 locked into Martin/Michalek for 3 more years. Paying Niskanen $2,500,000 is saying he's a top-4 defender.

Talent wise he is a top 4 defender on this team. He was the most consistant defenseman all year and by far sucked the lest.

[sil]

So would we say that the Nisky resigning is pretty much a slam dunk now? I genuinely hope so.

Personally, I feel that $2,500,000 if pretty much overpayment for a 5th liner...especially when you still have $9,000,000 locked into Martin/Michalek for 3 more years. Paying Niskanen $2,500,000 is saying he's a top-4 defender.

Talent wise he is a top 4 defender on this team. He was the most consistant defenseman all year and by far sucked the lest.

I don't necessarily disagree, but you're not gonna pay him $2,500,000 to play #5 minutes all year. He made $1,500,000 last season, and had one solid year after multiple years of let down. I think he could be had for 2-years, $3,750,000 ($1,875,000 per year). That's still a $375,000 raise.

[sil]

Not to mention that many feel a lack of physicality is what's hurting our d-core and team in general (though who knows how Shero feels). Is paying Niskanen upwards of $2,500,000 a smart move in that regard? That's (3) very non-physical defensemen who will take up $11,500,000 in cap space.

[DelPen]

With Niskanen, I'm sure he will get a minimum tender and then Shero will hear from Nisky's camp on what he thinks is fair and then he will get feelers on moving him. At least now that can sign him rther comfortably and don't need to move him.

Here's what's funny, the argument against giving him $2.5 million is that there are 4 other guys making more so that's too much for your #5. Let's for a second agree that Niskanen is and will be better than Martin. So now you have a bargain in your top 4 and a gross overpayment at $5 million at #5.

[DelPen]

Oops. forgot a backup goalie, added in Vokoun at $1.5 million, migth be low but Shero can still spend decent money this year on a backup.

[sil]

With Niskanen, I'm sure he will get a minimum tender and then Shero will hear from Nisky's camp on what he thinks is fair and then he will get feelers on moving him. At least now that can sign him rther comfortably and don't need to move him.

Here's what's funny, the argument against giving him $2.5 million is that there are 4 other guys making more so that's too much for your #5. Let's for a second agree that Niskanen is and will be better than Martin. So now you have a bargain in your top 4 and a gross overpayment at $5 million at #5.

This is honestly why I still think we'll see Martin moved...or at least a good attempt at doing so...or we'll see Niskanen moved. Just keep in mind that Niskanen averaged about 5-6 minutes per night less in the regular season last year than Martin. That'd be a big jump for him if he was asked to take over top-4 duty.

[no name]

With Niskanen, I'm sure he will get a minimum tender and then Shero will hear from Nisky's camp on what he thinks is fair and then he will get feelers on moving him. At least now that can sign him rther comfortably and don't need to move him.

Here's what's funny, the argument against giving him $2.5 million is that there are 4 other guys making more so that's too much for your #5. Let's for a second agree that Niskanen is and will be better than Martin. So now you have a bargain in your top 4 and a gross overpayment at $5 million at #5.

This is honestly why I still think we'll see Martin moved...or at least a good attempt at doing so...or we'll see Niskanen moved. Just keep in mind that Niskanen averaged about 5-6 minutes per night less in the regular season last year than Martin. That'd be a big jump for him if he was asked to take over top-4 duty.

Move both in favor of more physical stay at home type players. Bylsma puck moving defencemen system works good in the regular season, works awful in the playoffs. You can't have these Dman play one way in the regualr season, once teams tighen up in the playoffs they have to learn to play much more defensive way and its hard for them to do.

[shmenguin]

if we have the cap space, then niskanen's projected role as a 3rd pairing guy has no bearing on whether he should be signed or not. since he's an RFA, you'll get better value with him than you would with bringing in a UFA. it's irrelevant what his ice time would be if the alternative to signing him is just having extra money sitting around.

[darkstar57]

just wondering, besides cap geek, where the 70.3 million cap figure is coming from

[columbia]

just wondering, besides cap geek, where the 70.3 million cap figure is coming from

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Keeping in mind there's a new CBA coming (hopefully), upper limit of salary cap for next season (technically speaking) is $70.3M.

[penny lane]

Is realignment still going to be part of the new CBA?

[mikey287]

Is realignment still going to be part of the new CBA?

That's the plan.

[sil]

if we have the cap space, then niskanen's projected role as a 3rd pairing guy has no bearing on whether he should be signed or not. since he's an RFA, you'll get better value with him than you would with bringing in a UFA. it's irrelevant what his ice time would be if the alternative to signing him is just having extra money sitting around.

If we do, than agreed. We may not though. The cap could drop like a stone with the new CBA.

[penny lane]

Is realignment still going to be part of the new CBA?

That's the plan.

I have a feeling, the penguins will be moving. Maybe to a central - mid division.

[shmenguin]

if we have the cap space, then niskanen's projected role as a 3rd pairing guy has no bearing on whether he should be signed or not. since he's an RFA, you'll get better value with him than you would with bringing in a UFA. it's irrelevant what his ice time would be if the alternative to signing him is just having extra money sitting around.

If we do, than agreed. We may not though. The cap could drop like a stone with the new CBA.

aside from the NTC/NMC deals, guys can always be moved to free up money.

[columbia]

if we have the cap space, then niskanen's projected role as a 3rd pairing guy has no bearing on whether he should be signed or not. since he's an RFA, you'll get better value with him than you would with bringing in a UFA. it's irrelevant what his ice time would be if the alternative to signing him is just having extra money sitting around.

If we do, than agreed. We may not though. The cap could drop like a stone with the new CBA.

It's not like the GMS/BOGs are functioning in a vacuum. They probably have a very good idea of what the league (aka themselves) want the the cap to go to and will plan accordingly, as a worst case scenario.

[no name]

Is realignment still going to be part of the new CBA?

That's the plan.

I have a feeling, the penguins will be moving. Maybe to a central - mid division.

The NHL wants to go with the 4 confrence set up, which is what the owners would like, in that set up our division looked like
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington, New Jersery, Carolina

[sil]

Is realignment still going to be part of the new CBA?

That's the plan.

I have a feeling, the penguins will be moving. Maybe to a central - mid division.

The NHL wants to go with the 4 confrence set up, which is what the owners would like, in that set up our division looked like
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Washington, New Jersery, Carolina

And the top-4 from each conference make the playoffs, and battle within each conference to determine the champion. Then the 4-conference champions battle in the final two rounds of the playoffs.

[Bioshock]

Mike Colligan is saying the projected cap will be 73.8 million. He's normally pretty spot on.