Backstrom...Cap issues, MVN Article...

LemaireisGOD · 05-07-2007, 01:00 PM

The State of Hockey News | MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » The Niklas Backstrom situation: Headaches, the salary cap, and off-season possibilities

The Niklas Backstrom situation: Headaches, the salary cap, and off-season possibilities

By Derek Felska | May 7th, 2007

Who would’ve expected at the beginning of the 2006-07 season that what to do with Niklas Backstrom would be the biggest question going into the next season? The Wild changed its direction during the offseason of 2006 to spend money bringing in free agents Keith Carney, Mark Parrish and Kim Johnsson to go along with draft day trade that saw Pavol Demitra come to St. Paul. It was a very small, and not widely heralded story that the Wild had acquired Finnish Sm-Liiga star Niklas Backstrom. Initially the extremely modest 29-year old goaltender became a small cult hero after 3 winning performances in relief of incumbant starter Manny Fernandez. A few months later he’d get his chance to take the reigns as the starting goaltender when Fernandez suffered a knee injury. Backstrom took full advantage of this opportunity posting a team-leading 22 wins and a league best 1.97 goals against average and .929 save percentage. The result of this great play means he has won over Wild fans, and by reading the local papers it seems as if the former Karpat Oulu star has won over the Wild brass too. Complicating the situation is that youngster Josh Harding demonstrated this season as well that he’s ready for prime time, at least as a backup and has nothing more to gain by serving another year in the minors. So, who gets left out?

Manny Fernandez, at least that seems to be the plan. Even the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s “Grandpa Sports” Sid Hartman has reported the Wild are going to pull out all the stops to keep Backstrom; which basically would mean the Wild would trade Fernandez and his $4.33 million / year salary. While he rarely ever covers hockey, the fact he’d chime in means it is fairly strong vibe the Wild front office is giving out. The Wild would like to get something for Fernandez, but it might end up dumping the at-times moody goaltender for a bargain price so they can free up the space to keep Backstrom who is set to become a unrestricted free agent July 1st unless the team can sign him first.

The Wild already have 12 players under contract for next season at just over $31,000,000. The salary cap is expected to go up to around $48,000,000 for next season; but that will still likely see the Wild fairly near the ceiling when it is all said and done. The Wild have some key restricted free agents to re-sign and they will all likely want significant increases; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Mikko Koivu, Nick Schultz, and Derek Boogaard. The Wild also have some Unrestricted Free Agents that might also garner consideration or they could be cap casualties depending on how much this group of RFA’s is looking for. Todd White, Martin Skoula, Wes Walz, Wyatt Smith are in this list of UFA’s. Here is the Wild’s current list of signed players for next season as well as the Restricted and Unrestricted free agents along with their respective salaries from last season.

F - Marian Gaborik - $6.33 million

F - Pavol Demitra - $4.5 million

F - Mark Parrish - $2.65 million

F - Brian Rolston - $2.432 million

F - Dominic Moore - $700,000

F - Branko Radivojevic - $640,000

F - Stephane Veilleux - $546,700

D - Kim Johnsson - $4.35 million

D - Keith Carney - $2.1 million

D - Petteri Nummelin - $1.1 million

D - Brent Burns - $825,000

G - Manny Fernandez - $4.33 million

Restricted Free Agents (listed with this last season’s salary)

F - Pierre-Marc Bouchard - $1.85 million

F - Mikko Koivu - $902,500

F - Adam Hall - $925,000

F - Derek Boogaard - $525,000

D - Nick Schultz - $1.18 million

D - Kurtis Foster - $775,000

G - Josh Harding - $456,000

Unrestricted Free Agents (listed with this last season’s salary)

F - Todd White - $1.55 million

F - Wes Walz - $1.368 million

D - Martin Skoula - $1.6 million

G - Niklas Backstrom - $750,000

That is the Wild’s situation, but what about possible additions? The team is in desperate need of a strong, physical stay-at-home defenseman to work with its stable of smallish, offensive sort of defenseman. A skilled centreman to play on the 1st line is also an area where there seems to be a need. Either of these two needs are not likely going to be had very cheaply. How much money will be left if the Wild re-sign Backstrom; and how will that affect their chances at adding these key pieces? That will remain up in the air until we get closer to June 26th, the required date that qualifying offers must be tendered. Since the Wild signed most of its free agents last year to long-term deals the team will likely not see too many major changes, but it would be a bit surprising if no tweaking was done at all.

If the State of Hockey News had its choice it would seek upgrades for Kurtis Foster, Martin Skoula, Petteri Nummelin, Adam Hall, and Todd White. Hopefully that, along with the team dealing Manny Fernandez would free up enough room for Backstrom and a skilled 1st line calibre centre. We can always hope right?!?!

05-07-2007, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
LemaireisGOD Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 504	Backstrom...Cap issues, MVN Article... The State of Hockey News \| MVN - Most Valuable Network » Blog Archive » The Niklas Backstrom situation: Headaches, the salary cap, and off-season possibilities The Niklas Backstrom situation: Headaches, the salary cap, and off-season possibilities By Derek Felska \| May 7th, 2007 Who would’ve expected at the beginning of the 2006-07 season that what to do with Niklas Backstrom would be the biggest question going into the next season? The Wild changed its direction during the offseason of 2006 to spend money bringing in free agents Keith Carney, Mark Parrish and Kim Johnsson to go along with draft day trade that saw Pavol Demitra come to St. Paul. It was a very small, and not widely heralded story that the Wild had acquired Finnish Sm-Liiga star Niklas Backstrom. Initially the extremely modest 29-year old goaltender became a small cult hero after 3 winning performances in relief of incumbant starter Manny Fernandez. A few months later he’d get his chance to take the reigns as the starting goaltender when Fernandez suffered a knee injury. Backstrom took full advantage of this opportunity posting a team-leading 22 wins and a league best 1.97 goals against average and .929 save percentage. The result of this great play means he has won over Wild fans, and by reading the local papers it seems as if the former Karpat Oulu star has won over the Wild brass too. Complicating the situation is that youngster Josh Harding demonstrated this season as well that he’s ready for prime time, at least as a backup and has nothing more to gain by serving another year in the minors. So, who gets left out? Manny Fernandez, at least that seems to be the plan. Even the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s “Grandpa Sports” Sid Hartman has reported the Wild are going to pull out all the stops to keep Backstrom; which basically would mean the Wild would trade Fernandez and his $4.33 million / year salary. While he rarely ever covers hockey, the fact he’d chime in means it is fairly strong vibe the Wild front office is giving out. The Wild would like to get something for Fernandez, but it might end up dumping the at-times moody goaltender for a bargain price so they can free up the space to keep Backstrom who is set to become a unrestricted free agent July 1st unless the team can sign him first. The Wild already have 12 players under contract for next season at just over $31,000,000. The salary cap is expected to go up to around $48,000,000 for next season; but that will still likely see the Wild fairly near the ceiling when it is all said and done. The Wild have some key restricted free agents to re-sign and they will all likely want significant increases; Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Mikko Koivu, Nick Schultz, and Derek Boogaard. The Wild also have some Unrestricted Free Agents that might also garner consideration or they could be cap casualties depending on how much this group of RFA’s is looking for. Todd White, Martin Skoula, Wes Walz, Wyatt Smith are in this list of UFA’s. Here is the Wild’s current list of signed players for next season as well as the Restricted and Unrestricted free agents along with their respective salaries from last season. F - Marian Gaborik - $6.33 million F - Pavol Demitra - $4.5 million F - Mark Parrish - $2.65 million F - Brian Rolston - $2.432 million F - Dominic Moore - $700,000 F - Branko Radivojevic - $640,000 F - Stephane Veilleux - $546,700 D - Kim Johnsson - $4.35 million D - Keith Carney - $2.1 million D - Petteri Nummelin - $1.1 million D - Brent Burns - $825,000 G - Manny Fernandez - $4.33 million Restricted Free Agents (listed with this last season’s salary) F - Pierre-Marc Bouchard - $1.85 million F - Mikko Koivu - $902,500 F - Adam Hall - $925,000 F - Derek Boogaard - $525,000 D - Nick Schultz - $1.18 million D - Kurtis Foster - $775,000 G - Josh Harding - $456,000 Unrestricted Free Agents (listed with this last season’s salary) F - Todd White - $1.55 million F - Wes Walz - $1.368 million D - Martin Skoula - $1.6 million G - Niklas Backstrom - $750,000 That is the Wild’s situation, but what about possible additions? The team is in desperate need of a strong, physical stay-at-home defenseman to work with its stable of smallish, offensive sort of defenseman. A skilled centreman to play on the 1st line is also an area where there seems to be a need. Either of these two needs are not likely going to be had very cheaply. How much money will be left if the Wild re-sign Backstrom; and how will that affect their chances at adding these key pieces? That will remain up in the air until we get closer to June 26th, the required date that qualifying offers must be tendered. Since the Wild signed most of its free agents last year to long-term deals the team will likely not see too many major changes, but it would be a bit surprising if no tweaking was done at all. If the State of Hockey News had its choice it would seek upgrades for Kurtis Foster, Martin Skoula, Petteri Nummelin, Adam Hall, and Todd White. Hopefully that, along with the team dealing Manny Fernandez would free up enough room for Backstrom and a skilled 1st line calibre centre. We can always hope right?!?! __________________ "Why mess around with PT Boats when you can have a Destroyer?" ~ Al Strachan (Hockey Night in Canada)