I am disappointed in myself. I thought I could find 5 ways the Preds can manipulate the cap; I only found 4. I know, I know, I suck, it's all my fault. Here is what I see so far; a 20 man roster.
Which is fine, CBA rules state the minimum roster must be 18 skaters and 2 goalies. 23 is the MAXIMUM you can have. A game roster is the minimum; 18 skaters, 2 goalies. Now, lets talk about using the LTIR and roster manipulation. Let's say Saros were to come to coach's office and goes:
"*cough* I think I got the Vegas Flu. *cough* I need 6 weeks off... in Cancun."
Right at the beginning of pre-season. LTIR states you must miss 24 days and 10 games. That's the first month of the season. Imagine, October, you have a goalie pairing of Askarov and Wedgewood. 10 games. You get Askarov time to start vs. NHL teams. You rest Saros. Also, the Pre-season LTIR would cover the need for a couple $100K. Also a nice chunk of change for the regular season. Development wise, It would give Askarov NHL time and help shop him around the NHL. Win/Win. This would prevent the Preds from having to deal Fabbro or Glass. There would be finacial room for them *IF* a player, with a high cap is willing to play ball.
There is the second way of trading a player. Problem is EVERY NHL team knows Nashville's cap and will do anything to screw them. This might lead to a Fabbro or a Glass on waivers. Plus, Nashville wants cap negativity. More picks or prospects? Philly is looking interesting with 3 1sts and 3 2nds
They could gamble on players getting hurt in camp...Problem is you don't know who gets hurt and for how long.
There is also thew mechanic of waiving Wedgewood. The difference capwise between Askarov and Wedgewood is a good chunk of change. Yes, there is a risk of someone claiming Wedgewood but Askarov is the insurance. (BTW, Matt Murray is not dog water either, The Matt M. on the Preds, not the other one, who might be a dog's breakfast.)
Now for my minor concerns; there is a LOT of RHD in Milwaukee; Livingstone, Prokop, Ufko, Matier, Blankenburg, not to mention AHL contracts. And please note, Gibson will be of age to go to Milwaukee after this CHL season, same with Molendyk. I know Nashville has to provide players to Atlanta but a whole RHD side?
I wonder if the trade is to make camp room on the roster, not just cap space? I see one spot on the 3rd line and one on the 4th IF Glass is moved. One RHD IF Fabbro is moved for the 8 bajillion RHD.
I say Philly because their young goalie of the future is going to Canada's version of Club Fed. Would they be interested in a package of Askarov, Fabbro, and Glass?
Also, Isn't nice to have 7 top 6 fowards?