Normally when you hear players on losing team talk about their team it's often contrived. Not that many NHLers are going to publicly dump on their teams. And when they get an opportunity to jump to a contender they can't pack their bags quick enough.
You hear the same nonsense coming from Leaf players but when given the opportunity to leave they refuse. I think they actually believe what they are saying which makes me wonder what are they spiking their gatorade with? Pavel Kubina had agreed to waive his no trade contract but after beating Ottawa 5-0 on Monday changed his mind. Heck, the Beamsville Bombers could beat Ottawa right now.
Kubina explains, "I want to stay a Maple Leaf. My heart is here. We had a big win (in Ottawa). We're just six points out of a playoff spot. This is where I want to be." McCabe suggests, "We honestly think we have a legitimate shot to make the post-season." Are these players that stupid?
First thing they don't have a legitimate shot to make the playoffs. For the past 2 seasons the last playoff spot required 92 points in the East. The Leafs have 18 games remaining and need to win of those 15 games to reach 92 points.
The new Leaf management has openly stated that the core of this team isn't good enough. But the players in this core seem to be the only ones who don't agree. Heck if management says we don't want you around anymore why would you stay? Wouldn't you want to go where you are wanted? This is not the case where you can outlast a lame duck coach. Fletcher was brought in to make changes and he has other options if players don't volunteer to leave.
Fortunately some of the no-trade contracts signed by the Leafs contain small windows where players can be moved if the team doesn't make the playoffs. Kubina can be traded this summer. Kaberle in 2009 and Tucker in 2010. Players can also be bought out which the Leafs might be able to afford.
A buy out is at 2/3 of the players remaining salary spread over twice the number years remaining in the contract. So if you have a player for 2 more years at $1.5 million per year the cost of buying him out would be $0.5 million per year for 4 years. If the Leafs were to buy out Mark Bell, Andrew Raycroft and Jason Blake this summer, they would eliminate $8.3 million in salaries and the cost would be $2.67 against the cap for a net savings of $5.67 million. If they are able to trade Kubina then that is another $5 million saved.
That would mean on July 1st the Leafs' payroll would only be $30 million and the cap is expected to rise to about $54 million. That is a lot more cash to play with compared to previous years.
12 years ago
