Capgeek.com may be the most useful and informative NHL website out there. If anyone out there is unaware of exactly what Capgeek does, here are the basics. On the homepage is a rankings of the 30 NHL teams from least amount of cap room to the most amount of cap room (Meaning the Islanders are always the last team listed), with a full listing of each teams players cap hits/ previous buyouts/ future cap room. They have constant updating transactions from players being sent up and down from the AHL, a “Cap Calculator” to determine if your team can sign a potential future free agent, or make a big trade in the future, which brings me to the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life (I don’t get out much) THE CAPGEEK TRADE MACHINE!
The Trade Machine is essentially a way of determining if that weird trade you have in your head could work on paper. It brings into account everything that a real trade would need; both teams cap space, cap payroll now, and you can even have a team retain some money in order to make a trade possible. So without further adiéu, let’s starting rattling off some potential trades that could technically work from a salary cap perspective.
Remember folks this is all hypothetical and just some examples of the fun stuff you can do with the new trade machine, so don’t sweat it too much if you think my deals are something your GM would or wouldn’t do.
Buffalo trade G Ryan Miller to Winnipeg for a 2014 first round pick
American goaltender Ryan Miller has had trade rumors swirling around him for a while now, and this is a deal that could get done. Winnipeg would be taking a gamble on Miller wanting to stay in Canada, and that’s why there’s two contingencies on this trade. Buffalo will have to retain 20% of the remaining contract of Miller. Meaning that since he is owed $ 6.25 mil, Buffalo retains $1.25 mil on there cap hit. Since his contract is in it’s final year, it’s not that much money to retain and it leaves enough money for Winnipeg to make another potential smaller move. Winnipeg desperately needs a goaltender as current starter Ondrej Pavelec is, for lack of a better term, terrible. This deal would work well for Winnipeg if it gets done as soon as possible. The other contingency is if Miller allows the trade to go through, as he has a limited no-trade clause in his contract, and Winnipeg is a potential destination he wouldn’t want to play for. If he does let a trade go through, it would be a great fit, and make Winnipeg a legit contender.
Philadelphia trades Scott Laughton to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek
This would be an all time panic move, even by Philadelphia standards. Laughton is currently tearing up the OHL for Oshawa as we speak (17 points in eight games), and is a top prospect for Philly. However, the Flyers have scored 11 goals in eight games and are in dire need of anyone who can put the puck in the net. Now Buffalo would need to retain 50% of his cap value for the rest of this season, which would be well worth it if you ask me. It wouldn’t matter in the long run since his deal expires at the end of this season. If both sides really want to get a deal done, this is it.
New York Islanders send Matt Moulson to Minnesota for two future second round picks
There have been small rumblings that maybe winger Matt Moulson isn’t in the Islanders long-term plans, and Minnesota would be a perfect fit. The Islanders wouldn’t have to retain any cap hit, and getting two second rounders is decent value for Moulson, if they do plan to trade him. Minnesota needs the offense and Moulson would provide that.
If you have an extra eight hours to spare, go check it out: http://capgeek.com/trade-machine/
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