A Fun List of NHL Players with Higher Cap Hits than Ilya Kovalchuk

Rick Nash - $7.8 million through 2018
Vincent Lecavalier - $7.727 million through 2020
Scott Gomez - $7.357 million through 2014
Thomas Vanek - $7.142 million through 2014
Chris Drury - $7.05 million through 2012

over 1 year ago John Fischer 27 comments 0 recs |

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Kovy is leagues above these players

ZachJac

by 3 already on Sep 5, 2010 12:11 AM EDT reply actions

P.S.

This is the first time I’m using the List fanshot in a while, if not ever. We’ll see how this goes, and if there’s good response, I may do a few more from time to time.

Also, discuss amongst yourselves who actually earns their cap hit. I’d argue Gomez and Nash might given their prowess at even strength based on this post Derek did at the Copper & Blue a few months back. Though, their production really doesn’t inspire much confidence to say “yes” immediately.

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by John Fischer on Sep 5, 2010 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

I have an easy yes for Nash. Offense and Ken Hitchcock don’t mix. Offense, Hitchcock, and no decent center is even worse.

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by red army line on Sep 5, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

1) I don’t think Rick Nash could get that much money if he were on a contender. He’s a great player, but his pay is slightly bloated.
2) Lecavalier has been a great leader for Tampa Bay. This whole contract is more for “past services rendered” than for expecting big things from him in the future, especially with how Tampa Bay has finished in the standings recently.
3) More penalty minutes for Gomez in his last two seasons than points (120 PIM, 117pts) That’s what you get for leaving NJ.
4) Played amazingly well in his contract year of 06-07, and has never repeated that performance. He had 2 pretty good goal scoring seasons right after getting that big money, (36g then 40g) but last season was disastrous (28g, 25a) for a guy getting paid that much. He might end up being worth it if he can keep his goal scoring totals at 40 per season. More assists would be nice, though. (hasn’t had more than 28 assists in a season since his new contract). Drury leaving Buffalo is a big reason for Vanek’s decline.
5) Speaking of Drury, he also played really well in his contract year of 06-07, but then made the giant mistake of signing with the Rangers. Had an absolutely abysmal year last year, with only 14g, 18a in 77 games.

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by njdss4 on Sep 5, 2010 12:58 AM EDT reply actions

I agree. The only way he’d show his loyalty to Columbus is getting paid tons of money to be on a losing team.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on Sep 5, 2010 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Not into bashing Columbus

OK, so Columbus has not had any playoff success yet. Let’s not forget this is an expansion team that has been around for 10 seasons. With exception of 88 run, Devils first 10 years in NJ did not get them anywhere either.

My impression is Columbus actually has a pretty decent fan base. Their attendance is basically the same as Devils in raw numbers, and they are at around 89% of capacity, so also not dreadful.

With the exception of the Rangers (I still cant figure out why their fans are so loyal given the product they have been given for most of the last 70 years) and the Flyers (who have too many fans who act like a bunch of thugs and loudmouths) my attitude is to try to show respect for the other squads. It’s really difficult to win in the NHL. I don’t want other fans to think Devils fans are arrogant!

Sorry to sound preachy, maybe I am reading in to the above comments too much

by Devilssection21fan on Sep 5, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Correct me if I'm wrong,

but wasn’t Vanek hurt for a lot of last year? Too lazy to look it up to confirm.

by Mandmeisterx on Sep 5, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

He played 71 games

So yes I think he was injured once, but 71 games is enough to put up better numbers than that.

"Everything is status quo." - Lou Lamoriello
"*Heavy groan*" - The Entirety of Devils Nation

by njdss4 on Sep 5, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

What does this measure?

Since only Lecavaliers contract is a comparable front loaded retirement contract, these are apples and oranges. Next year- hopefully – Parise will be on that list with a bigger cap hit. I guess all it means is that Lou is genius when it comes to exploiting the system, and the Kovy deal turned out to be the nuclear contract, blowing the whole system up.

When do we move on to the inevitable discussion of trade targets?. Short of getting someone with a NTC to change their mind it pretty much has to be Salvador and Zubrus. I can see Salvador going back to St. Louis. They have the cap room and are familiar with the player. As John noted in his July post on this topic these moves are going to have to be spiced up with picks or prospects, but that is how the cookie crumbles in the salary capped NHL. It’s probably good for everyone in teh long run.

Lou has said that he will wait until training camp to see how things go – which to me means he is working his butt off. I’m actually surprised these deals did not fall into place yesterday…

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by R Train on Sep 5, 2010 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

Since only Lecavaliers contract is a comparable front loaded retirement contract, these are apples and oranges.

That wasn’t the point of the list. Also, all these guys play hockey, contributing to their team’s success to some degree, no? Saying we can only compare those who have similarly structured contracts misses that larger point.

Next year- hopefully – Parise will be on that list with a bigger cap hit.

Hopefully? I suppose you enjoy salary cap challenges from year to year?

I guess all it means is that Lou is genius when it comes to exploiting the system, and the Kovy deal turned out to be the nuclear contract, blowing the whole system up.

The contract didn’t blow the whole system up, the NHL did that with the PA’s help. They didn’t have to do it, but they went ahead because the Devils having Kovalchuk for a less than $7 million deal, I guess, freaked them out too much.

When do we move on to the inevitable discussion of trade targets?. Short of getting someone with a NTC to change their mind it pretty much has to be Salvador and Zubrus. I can see Salvador going back to St. Louis. They have the cap room and are familiar with the player. As John noted in his July post on this topic these moves are going to have to be spiced up with picks or prospects, but that is how the cookie crumbles in the salary capped NHL. It’s probably good for everyone in teh long run.

Well, my July post which you’re already familiar already had that discussion to some degree. I suppose we need yet another post? Perhaps.

Lou has said that he will wait until training camp to see how things go – which to me means he is working his butt off. I’m actually surprised these deals did not fall into place yesterday…

There’s something to be said about Rome not being built in a day.

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by John Fischer on Sep 5, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Columbus needs Nash as much as anything. Without Nash, fans don’t go to the games and they really aren’t playoff contenders. Lecavalier is still alright and is still mentoring Stamkos. Gomez, well Gomez is Gomez and he wanted more money to play on a “bigger” stage. Although you are still playing in the NHL, which is a pretty big stage and you sucked playing on “the big stage”. Now that thats out.. Vanek should be getting less money but let’s see how that pans out in the next couple years. And my favorite… Chris Drury. I still think he would be a little bit more dominant if he stayed in Buffalo but yet again that “big stage” draws players in I guess.

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Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."

by RolliePollieKovy on Sep 5, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Drury didn’t even have terrific numbers before that.

As for Vanek, Darcy Regier (Buffalo GM, I think) has some choice words for Kevin Lowe and his offer sheet.

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by red army line on Sep 5, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Reiger should reserve those words for himself, he didn’t have to match the offer sheet. Instead he chose Vanek over the boatload of first rounder draft pick he would have gotten if he didn’t match the offer.

by drhgzang on Sep 5, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Regier had already lost Drury and Briere via free agency that off-season. While he likely thought he was overpaying for Thomas Vanek, he had to keep someone lest the fans think he was going to allow a team that had just won the President’s Trophy (and was coming off consecutive ECF appearances) to be completely disassembled.

by acasser on Sep 5, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree thats why he kept him but I don’t think anyone realistically thought Vanek was worth the money. In my opinion the better decision long term would have been to take the picks, now he has a 60 point player with a huge cap hit.

by drhgzang on Sep 6, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

That wasn’t the point of the list. Also, all these guys play hockey, contributing to their team’s success to some degree, no? Saying we can only compare those who have similarly structured contracts misses that larger point.

Yeah, there are others with higher cap hits: AO, Sid, Geno, Eric Staal, Brian Campbell, and a couple others I think. Backstrom, Stastny, and Mikko Koivu are about the same.

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by red army line on Sep 5, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

There are. I just picked these 5.

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by John Fischer on Sep 5, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

This is a nice sampling of Sather’s finest work. I know we’re all worried about how to get back under the cap now, but just look at that list and realize we have Lou trying to do it for us, not Glen Sather. Made me feel a whole lot better.

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by thejerseydevil on Sep 5, 2010 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

Biggest

Joke on the list is Drury. I can’t believe he would get that much money. Only the Rangers lol. At least Gomez had talent but that’s still insane. You’d think the Rangers would learn their lesson already. Stealing our great players doesn’t work.

by PariseLikeSundayMornin on Sep 5, 2010 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

Drury had talent

Why do you think the Rangers paid that for him.? Oh wait.. They pay that for Derek Boogard.. But still I would have offered him 4-5 million. He’s a great 3rd line defensive specialist though! For 7 million dollars. Give Blair Betts that kind of money.

Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."

Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."

by RolliePollieKovy on Sep 5, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

He is not even their worst contract. Look at Wade Redden; arguable the worst contract in NHL history. Not to mention Rozsival for 5, Gaborik for 7.5 mill, even Lundqvist 6.875 mill.

by devsfan9 on Sep 5, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Woah

Gaborik is pretty good. IF he stays healthy. He did it last year, I don’t see a problem with it next year. It may be much but the Rangers were desperate for a scorer. Lundqvist is a top goaltender in the league. But he isn’t Marty, so he wanted more money a couple years ago.

Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."

Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."

by RolliePollieKovy on Sep 5, 2010 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I am not saying they are not good but I am saying they are overpaid:

Gaborik is gonna have a hard time staying healthy and to earning 7.5 mill a year. He might though, but compared to Kovy for 6.66 I would take Kovy any day.

Lundqvist is a great goalie but he is paid more than any other goalie in the league. He is making more than Miller, Brodeur, Kiprusoff, Luongo, Bryzgalov, Backstrom, Anderson, Vokoun. All of these guys I would choose over him.

by devsfan9 on Sep 6, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s insane. But I bet you Sather threw it at him when Henrik said 5 is fine.

Mathew Barnaby to Lyle Odelein: "Cornelius, as we like to call him, gets under your skin. Planet of the Apes. Look at him. Seriously. He looks like Cornelious."

Odelein to Barnaby: "He should take a look at his wife. She's God-awful to look at."

by RolliePollieKovy on Sep 6, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

you forget

that lunqvist was the only player that allowed to the rangers to have any success at all last year. Besides Gaborik and some inconsistently good play from the younger defenseman on the team, Lunqvist had to stand on his head every game to give the Rangers a chance to win. As good as Marty is, he usually is provided with much better support around the net than Lunqvist ever gets. Perhaps this is why he is worth close to 7 mil a year, even if his play is very inconsistent.

by NJPenguins08 on Sep 7, 2010 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions