Rangers Updated Cap Situation
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by user The Ak Attack
Amidst the signings of Shanahan and Lundqvist, the Rangers' cap situation is a bit clearer. Before the Lundqvist signing the Rangers had 7.513 million in cap space. Presuming the cap hit for Lundqvist is around 2.5 million, the Rangers are looking at 5 million to re-sign Hossa and Avery. That is actually a decent amount of cap space, particularly since Kasparaitis' 3 million is likely to come off the books. If they don't re-sign Hossa, there is more than enough money to sign or bring in a big name defenseman, say Souray or Jovanovski.
What we are starting to see however, is the loopholes and unique conditions of the CBA. Lundqvist could sign a long-term deal after January 1 and not have it count against the cap. Shanahan can only count around 2.5 against the cap, while he can make nearly 5 million because of performance bonuses. Avery, Lundqvist, and Hossa may all be signed before their arbitration dates, but no other team could make an offer because they were protected by being under the arbitration title.
With that in mind, is their any point to allowing teams to present an offer sheet to RFA's if all their respective teams have to do is say they are going to arbitration then sign them at their leisure?
This is the salary cap age and it is only going to get wilder.
