One thing I’d like to add is that by instituting a salary cap, the NHL has basically eliminated 2nd contracts (ie reasonable ones for pretty good players). You see players move from entry level contracts to top flight contracts right away (players like Thomas Vanek). Hence, the extinction of average veterans as you correctly pointed out.

I’m starting to think that the salary cap was a major mistake. Some quick points:

1) We are beginning to see the extinction of the “average” veteran. The majority of the cap is going to the top-level players, while teams are filling out their rosters with entry level contracts. The exceptions are teams that cannot retain top talent, like Atlanta.

2) Claims that the cap has brought parity ring very hollow to me considering the dramatic expansion of the internaional talent pool. Increasingly, “replacement level” players are coming from the European leagues, not the NHL minors.

3) The cap hasn’t prevented the “problem” franchises from hemorrhaging money. It HAS enabled the top money-makers to pocket more profits.

OK, this is kind of random but it popped in my head out of nowhere and I wanted to share it with y’all.

How ridiculous is this league when a small market team is worth roughly the same as a long term contract to a single star player? The Preds are currently valued at roughly $100M (well give or take, but let’s assume that’s accurate with Del Biaggio’s 1/4 ownership stake at $27M). That’s exactly what Kovalchuk was offered (and then denied) the other day. Unless something major changes, I can’t see a lockout NOT happening.

Blues / Preds rivalry is growing. Hopefully both teams can hold on to let it keep growing.

This may not be feasible for some time, unfortunately.