I don't know how the Caps are going to manage the cap. WIth Kempney out the current roster is 45k OVER the cap.
Kempney is 2.5 mil. That means you have to move $2.55m to afford him.
Lewy and Ziggy are 700k & 750K hits so sending one of them down, Caps are still over the cap by $1.75m (with Kempney added back)
Caps are currently carrying 5 centers, so one is going to have to go....maybe Stepho (he is 1.05m whereas Dowd is $700k)
Add Kempney, minus Lewy, minus Stepho and you are are still over the Cap by about $750k
Those damn contracts (Kuzy, Orlov, Johnny Q) are pinching. I mean we knew it was coming to this, but surely would have been nice to be paying Carly $7m instead of $8m, or Orlov 4.5 instead of 5.1m and KUZY....$7m instead of 7.8....blah, blah, blah
I know most NHL GM's were planning for a slightly higher cap this year than what was finalized, and that 1 mil or so is definitely going to bite the Caps.
Although, if not for Kuzy's questionable status, his number isn't really all that far fetched for him. (assuming he plays to potential)
Both Orlov and Carly pretty much took advantage of the D bind the caps were in when they were due for resiging. I mean I don't fault anyone for getting paid, but you think about 8 mil/year is 1/10 of the whole cap. You can't afford too many of those guys. They better be worth it (I'm talking about you Johhny Q)....and Kuzy
I will say for as much bitching as I do about Carly, his level of play has improved (over the last 3 years), and I really don't have a problem with his level of play. His level of intensity could be better, but the Caps DO rely on him ALOT for all situations and lots of minutes. And he IS a Norris candidate afterall
Go Caps