04/19/24
July 02, 2019
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
I don't believe they do, but I found the following article quite interesting
posted by tommybiden at 05:56 PM on July 02, 2019
Thanks for sharing that, tommy
posted by NoMich at 07:51 PM on July 02, 2019
Interesting read.
Also points out that the NHL salary cap really amounts to lipstick on a pig as the wealthier teams can afford to pay huge signing bonuses and low salaries to attract talented players.
The interesting part is NHL teams loaded with front end bonus talent don't often perform well come playoff time. Perhaps because teams with players not having sweetheart deals are performing at a higher level in hopes of someday obtaining one, and also because the big guaranteed load breeds complacency.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:38 AM on July 03, 2019
Also points out that the NHL salary cap really amounts to lipstick on a pig as the wealthier teams can afford to pay huge signing bonuses and low salaries to attract talented players.
I think this is what Montreal was banking on with their offer sheet to Sebastian Aho. I guess they thought that a billionaire couldn't afford to pay a $21 million signing bonus?
posted by NoMich at 10:51 AM on July 03, 2019
Is that the same guy who's trying to get his millions back from the defunct football league?
posted by beaverboard at 01:27 PM on July 03, 2019
Indeed, but he can still afford a signing bonus for a player worth retaining.
posted by NoMich at 02:10 PM on July 03, 2019
Also points out that the NHL salary cap really amounts to lipstick on a pig
Well, the total amount still counts against the salary cap. There isn't any circumvention going on here.
The reason the money (like the one for Tavares and Matthews) is structured that way is to guarantee them money if/when there is a lockout/strike at the end of next season.
Salaries aren't paid during labour disputes, but signing bonuses were agreed upon before that happened and are guaranteed.
Teams like Toronto/Montreal can afford to pay large sums of money to players during a lockout/strike. Less affluent/stable teams might balk at that kind of pay structure.
posted by grum@work at 07:24 PM on July 03, 2019
I'd like to see the NHL move to a system where signing bonuses were tiered similar to UFA / RFA status and place limits on bonuses. I have no problem with a player like Tavares getting paid because he's earned every penny but giving 21 year old players huge up front bonuses isn't in anyone's best interest as far as performance goes in most all situations.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:59 PM on July 03, 2019
Question about the Raptors: do they get any special concessions on player salaries from the NBA? There is not only a currency difference but taxes are quite a bit higher (especially now) in Canada. Or do the Raptors just have to suck it up and deal with the situation? Just curious.