Teams could find themselves in economy-salary cap squeeze

Could the "NY" on Tim Jackman's jersey eventually be replaced by a "KC"? Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images Allan Muir's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Allan. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

There's been lots of talk about the salary cap going down significantly next season. I'm curious about a couple things. What will happen to all those teams that are committed to salaries that put them above the new cap? More important, what does it mean to the Canadiens? They have just 10 NHLers signed to deals beyond this season. Do they add a few missing pieces this spring in an attempt to win the Cup, knowing how much more difficult it will be to start from scratch next year under a new cap?
-- Aaron R., Mount Royal, Quebec

There'll be a few teams that face cap issues next season, but it won't be a league-wide issue just yet. The 2009-10 cap range will be based on revenues generated this season, and since most of that money (season tickets, television and radio rights, corporate sponsorships) was committed well before the wheels flew off the economy, there's actually a chance that GMs could have a couple million more bucks to spend.

Now, 2010-11? That's when things are expected to get ugly. At this point, it's impossible to say exactly how it will play out, but it's hard to imagine a scenario without a drop in the cap -- and probably a major one -- based on lost ticket and sponsorship revenues.

So, what happens to teams that are over the cap? First off, they can't play that way, and their options to get in line aren't painless. They can buy players out, but only at certain points of the year. They can trade players off, but good luck finding another team with the space to take on an anchor contract. Or they can try to bury contracts in the minors, but doing so risks exposing players to waivers, and the chance you lose them for nothing. Worse case scenario, the league can actually lop players off a team, starting with the most recently signed. The rules are unforgiving. Given the uncertainty that lies ahead, you might see a lot of players exploring the European option this summer and next.

That's what makes Montreal so interesting. Really, they're in an ideal situation. With so few committed contracts beyond this season, Bob Gainey can frame his re-building with some understanding of the limitations he's likely to face the following year. In the meantime, he also knows this is his last chance with this lineup, so he may choose to go all in.

Of course, doing that exposes the team long term because the assets most deals would require -- young talent and prospects -- are the low-salary bedrock on which post 2010 teams will need to be based. Give them up now, and you're going to be in tough down the road.

Still, it's better to worry about the devil you know than the devil you don't. I think the Habs will go for broke this spring.

I read that the Islanders are playing a preseason game next year in Kansas City. I don't remember teams announcing preseason games this far in advance in the past, so I'm wondering what you think it means. Obviously, KC has a new arena all ready for a tenant, and the Isles are struggling to get a new arena built. Is this the first step to relocating the franchise?
-- Candice Snowden, Ann Arbor, Mich.

First step? No ... but definitely a warning shot across the bow by the Isles and owner Charles Wang to remind political heel draggers that the team does have options.

It's a complex situation on Long Island, so here's the Cliff's Notes version: Wang's Lighthouse Project -- a massive mixed-use proposal that includes housing, hotels, shopping and a minor-league ballpark along with a new building for the Isles -- has been unable to find political traction locally. It's believed that the scope of the project is what's holding up the process. If Wang simplified it to an arena-only deal, the Town of Hempstead -- the last holdout -- might be willing to sign off on it, but Wang needs the whole scope of the Lighthouse Project to make up for all the money he's lost on the team over the years. The town's resident aren't adamantly opposed, but they're not rushing their final decision either, citing a need for extensive environmental research before giving the go-ahead.

Does Kansas City offer a legitimate option? Seems to, on the surface anyway. The Sprint Center has been looking for an NBA or NHL tenant since opening more than a year ago, and it has all the amenities and revenue-generating options that the Nassau Coliseum lacks. At the same time, Gary Bettman is loath to consider the possibilities of relocating any of the struggling franchises that he helped establish. Hard to imagine him signing off on the relocation of a franchise with a history as rich as the Islanders.

And while the commish used his radio show pulpit to invite Hempstead to a come to Jesus meeting, even he has to be pragmatic. The Islanders aren't viable long-term in that building. Something has to give.

So, who caves? My gut says it'll be the tree huggers. Hempstead can't afford to pass on this kind of economic engine. Expect approval of the project next year.

Where does that leave Kansas City? Look around the league at half a dozen other faltering franchises. KC could be in the mix for any one of them, should the bottom fall out.

Answer me this: why exactly did the Sharks sign Claude Lemieux? The guy is as old as my dad! Was Gordie Howe unavailable?
-- Luc Charmont, Ontario

Pepe's old by NHL standards but he's still younger than your faithful scribe, so you won't hear me casting any aspersions about his age. And I can't knock San Jose GM Doug Wilson for giving a shot to a guy who's been retired for more than five years.

After all, he gave the organization a chance to produce a young player capable of filling the fourth line role, but Brad Staubitz and Jamie McGinn and Tom Cavanagh and probably half a dozen others failed to impress.

With the Sharks going for it this year, they needed an experienced hand. Lemieux isn't just a former Conn Smythe winner -- he's a no-risk venture. His cap hit is minimal, and he's signed for just this year, meaning he's not blocking anyone's progress long-term. If he chips in with some physical play, some leadership and maybe the occasional goal, Wilson looks like a genius for signing him. And if Lemieux has nothing left in the tank, there's plenty of time for Wilson to explore his options on the trade market.

Something tells me that's not going to be a problem, though. In fact, I'm expecting Lemieux to play a big role this spring.

Oh, and I saw Gordie not that long ago. Looked to me like he could still strap 'em on ...

I've been watching the Avalanche a bit lately and am very impressed with Wojtek Wolski. He always seemed like a bit of an unfocused floater in the past. Is this for real, or just a hot streak?
-- Richard Honeywell, London

I'd say this is a legitimate breakthrough for Wolski, who clearly looks more comfortable playing center -- the position he played in junior hockey -- than on the left wing where he toiled most of his first three seasons.

Wolski finally got the opportunity to move back to the pivot position when injuries felled both Joe Sakic and Paul Stastny. Playing more often with the puck --as opposed to waiting for the feed on the wings -- makes the most of his speed and guile.

It'll be interesting to see what Tony Granato does with him when Stastny and Sakic get back in the lineup. Odds are he'll be moved back to the wing, but with Sakic edging closer to retirement (his current deal expires at the end of this season), Wolski should be back in the middle soon enough.

We have a couple days here without games, so I'm looking for a good hockey book to read at night. Any suggestions?
-- Rob Peterson, California

Great question, Rob. This is one of those column topics that's been in the evergreen pile for some time. I really should get after it this summer.

In the meantime, you can't go wrong with Ken Dryden's The Game. Best hockey book ever. Written with the sort of intelligence and insight you'd expect from hockey's deepest thinker, it's not a breezy read but it will change the way you watch the game. Grab the 20th anniversary edition if you can -- it has an extra chapter. Looking for something lighter? Dave Bidini's Tropic of Hockey is a laugh-out-loud love letter to the sport written by a beer leaguer who goes to extreme lengths to play the game around the world. {Full disclosure: I've worked with Dave in the past, but it was this book that made me want to do it.] I just finished Don Cherry's latest, Hockey Stories and Stuff. If you're a fan of Grapes like I am, you'll love it. If you're a fan of the English language ... well, you might have to be a bit forgiving. Cherry's voice and storytelling style ring loud and clear through this thing, strangled syntax and all, but that's what makes it such a beauty. All three of those titles are in print, and should be available at any major chain store.

Any other suggestions? Send 'em my way and maybe we can work them into that summer column.