What factors are freezing NHL's trade market?
The NHL 2010 Entry Draft will likely go down in history as among the quietest in league history in terms of movement of established players.
Usually the draft is a time when trades are made, especially by teams in the midst of rebuilding, shedding contracts which no longer fit under their respective salary caps or getting rid of players who no longer fit into a team’s future plans.
Last year’s draft saw a marked decrease in player movement which was blamed on the slow increase in the salary cap. Still, notable stars like Chris Pronger and Jay Bouwmeester were traded during the draft weekend
The increase of next season’s salary cap by more than $2.5 million to $59.4 million was expected to spur clubs into increase trade activity, and in the days leading up to this year’s draft weekend the trading of several notable players — Jaroslav Halak, Dan Hamhuis, Jason Arnott, Nathan Horton and Dustin Byfuglien — ramped up speculation of even more trades to come during the draft.
There weren’t any deals of note at this year’s draft apart from the Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers making a multi-player swap with defenseman Keith Ballard as the centerpiece, the negotiating rights of Hamhuis being dealt again (this time to Pittsburgh) and the trading of three marginal players (Mike Brown, Vladimir Sobotka and Bobby Sanguinetti).
Salary cap constraints are being blamed for that lack of substantive trade activity. With 18 teams currently sitting with payrolls more than $45 million for next season — nearly half of those sitting at more than $50 million — plus another nine clubs operating under self-imposed salary caps far lower than the league’s ceiling, it became very difficult for general manager to find potential trade partners.
That included those hoping to find rivals interested in taking high-salaried stars off their hands.
Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray admitted to gauging interest around the league in star center Jason Spezza, who’d told Murray this spring he wouldn’t object to a trade.
Ordinarily a top-line center like Spezza would attract considerable interest, but his $7 million per season contract (coupled with a $4 million bonus he’s slated to receive on July 1) just wasn’t palatable for cost-conscious general managers.
The looming unrestricted free-agent period, starting at noon ET on July 1, was also a factor.
While this year’s free agent talent pool isn’t considered a deep one —New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk is the only major star available — it could prove attractive for general managers seeking decent talent at affordable prices.
It’s still possible there could be more substantial trades in the coming weeks.
The Boston Bruins are reportedly shopping former Vezina-winning goalie Tim Thomas and first-line center Marc Savard while the Toronto Maple Leafs are fielding offers for defenseman Tomas Kaberle.
Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher is in the market for a scoring center and would prefer to land one via trade rather than free agency, and it’s rumored the Chicago Blackhawks might not be done making salary-dumping deals.
Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini hopes to find takers for disgruntled defenseman Sheldon Souray while the Tampa Bay Lightning might try to move a high-salaried veteran like Ryan Malone though Vincent Lecavalier and re-sign Martin St. Louis aren’t available.
Despite the trade rumors, if the absence of significant player movement during the draft is any indication, it could take those aforementioned clubs weeks to find what they’re seeking in the trade market.
