The salary cap could go up.
The NHL salary cap will likely see an increase of one percent, pushing the maximum team payroll up by $900,000 to $57.7 million for the 2010-11 season according to Hockey Night in Canada analyst Glenn Healy.
“Mostly because of the strong Canadian dollar,” Healy said, noting that the increase is still dependant on the accuracy of playoff revenue projections.
This will help the Chicago Blackhawks, who will still need to make some serious concessions to fit under the higher cap for next season. To make a full roster fit, the Blackhawks probably need to make between $7-9 million disappear, and that might be accomplished by moving one or more of the players on the roster making between $3-4 million. That list includes Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Dustin Byfuglien.
By trading Cam Barker to Minnesota for free agent-to-be Kim Johnsson, the Blackhawks have already cut over $3 million off next year’s payroll.
Cristobal Huet, and his $5.6 million cap number, would be the most well received subtraction from next year’s payroll. Finding someone to take Huet, and his salary (for two more years), might require another piece be included.
Losing Buff or Sharp is going to hurt. Hope they find a way to package Steeg and Huet. Steeg really has disappeared lately, but Sharp and Buff are proving their worth every night. I’ve got my fingers crossed that both of them are still here next year.
If we lose Sharp, it’s going to be pretty sad. I really like this Shapr/Toews/Hossa line, I think if they work a little longer together, they are going to be fun to watch.