In talking about Laine or another high cap player, I have been deeply skeptical about how the player fits in the broader structure of the team moving forward. Saying it is only meaningful, so I thought it would be interesting to frame it in the context of how the past 7 champs were structured. In doing so, I was surprised by what I found. Forget another high priced skill forward. Fitting the core group in and surrounding them with the depth necessary to win it all will be a challenge.
The following breakdown is the average cap hit of the 12 forwards and 6 defensemen with the highest average ice time among those that played in at least half of their team’s playoff games + 2 goalies. Centers were isolated, but wingers and defensemen were not for ease of data collection. Everything is adjusted for inflation, using the cap percentage in that year, not when the contract was signed.
Highest Paid C: $8.71 mil (10.69%)
2nd: $6.83 mil (8.38%)
3rd: $3.59 mil (4.41%)
4th: $1.60 mil (1.97%)
Highest Paid W: $7.56 mil (9.28%)
2nd: $5.74 mil (7.04%)
3rd: $4.88 mil (5.98%)
4th: $3.44 mil (4.22%)
5th: $1.61 mil (1.98%)
6th: $.89 mil (1.09%)
7th: $.78 mil (.96%)
8th: $.74 mil (.91%)
Highest Paid D: $6.89 mil (8.45%)
2nd: 5.32 mil (6.53%)
3rd: 4.17 mil (5.11%)
4th: 3.12 mil (3.83%)
5th: 1.84 mil (2.26%)
6th: 1.13 mil (1.39%)
Highest Paid G: $5.94 mil (7.29%)
2nd: $.92 mil (1.13%)
Total C: $20.74 mil (25.45%)
Total W: $25.64 mil (31.46%)
Total D: $22.46 mil (27.56%)
Total G: $6.86 mil (8.42%)
Overhead (Scratches, Overages, Buried Cap, Buyouts, Retained Cap): $5.79 mil (7.11%)
Note: Kris Letang’s injury in 16-17 really skews the defense numbers. Take that slot out of the calculation and the #1 slot jumps to $7.27 mil.
- Interestingly, Slavin is nearly right on the money for his slot. Aho is close. Teravainen offers savings now as the #1 and even later as the #2, once Svechnikov gets his money. That's really nice.
- McGinn and Martinook on the 4th line is not sustainable past this season. Both probably need to be replaced by cheaper (younger) players.
- Gardiner’s cap needs to be reallocated before Svechnikov's extension kicks in, preferably sooner. That’s too much for the 3rd pairing.
- If Dougie is at $8 mil or more, the #1, #3, and #4 slots combined will be several million higher than average. Skjei may have to go and/or the bottom pairing will need to be very cheap.
- ELC contributors are a must across the board for this team to win at the highest level. The 13th pick is important; that potentially is a #7-#8 winger, a #5 defender or a #2 goalie providing surplus value a few years from now.
The following breakdown is the average cap hit of the 12 forwards and 6 defensemen with the highest average ice time among those that played in at least half of their team’s playoff games + 2 goalies. Centers were isolated, but wingers and defensemen were not for ease of data collection. Everything is adjusted for inflation, using the cap percentage in that year, not when the contract was signed.
Highest Paid C: $8.71 mil (10.69%)
2nd: $6.83 mil (8.38%)
3rd: $3.59 mil (4.41%)
4th: $1.60 mil (1.97%)
Highest Paid W: $7.56 mil (9.28%)
2nd: $5.74 mil (7.04%)
3rd: $4.88 mil (5.98%)
4th: $3.44 mil (4.22%)
5th: $1.61 mil (1.98%)
6th: $.89 mil (1.09%)
7th: $.78 mil (.96%)
8th: $.74 mil (.91%)
Highest Paid D: $6.89 mil (8.45%)
2nd: 5.32 mil (6.53%)
3rd: 4.17 mil (5.11%)
4th: 3.12 mil (3.83%)
5th: 1.84 mil (2.26%)
6th: 1.13 mil (1.39%)
Highest Paid G: $5.94 mil (7.29%)
2nd: $.92 mil (1.13%)
Total C: $20.74 mil (25.45%)
Total W: $25.64 mil (31.46%)
Total D: $22.46 mil (27.56%)
Total G: $6.86 mil (8.42%)
Overhead (Scratches, Overages, Buried Cap, Buyouts, Retained Cap): $5.79 mil (7.11%)
Note: Kris Letang’s injury in 16-17 really skews the defense numbers. Take that slot out of the calculation and the #1 slot jumps to $7.27 mil.
- Interestingly, Slavin is nearly right on the money for his slot. Aho is close. Teravainen offers savings now as the #1 and even later as the #2, once Svechnikov gets his money. That's really nice.
- McGinn and Martinook on the 4th line is not sustainable past this season. Both probably need to be replaced by cheaper (younger) players.
- Gardiner’s cap needs to be reallocated before Svechnikov's extension kicks in, preferably sooner. That’s too much for the 3rd pairing.
- If Dougie is at $8 mil or more, the #1, #3, and #4 slots combined will be several million higher than average. Skjei may have to go and/or the bottom pairing will need to be very cheap.
- ELC contributors are a must across the board for this team to win at the highest level. The 13th pick is important; that potentially is a #7-#8 winger, a #5 defender or a #2 goalie providing surplus value a few years from now.
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