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Okay. The more I think about this David Clarkson trade, the more intrigued and puzzled I become.

I don't give it a shit about the Leafs or Columbus. I feel like there is something with larger implications happening here - something which has maybe never happened before - and I need to work it through.

When I try to think it all thru, my brain gets bogged down - so I am going to take it step by step. There may be 5 or 6 steps here. I think this may be more complex than most people are noticing. Perhaps if someone notices me missing something, you can let me know (or if in fact I ask a question and someone has the answer, jump in with that.)


So step 1

The Leafs trade active player David Clarkson who is a ~26 million dollar cap hit over the next 5 years - for player Nathan Horton - who is expected to never play again.

Now Horton is nevertheless owed about 26 million - and he has to be paid - but due to his non-playing status, his money is not against the salary cap.

So in effect, the Leafs have bought out David Clarkson for the full value of his contract - but have simply switched from having a player for that money to having no one - except they have opened up a bunch of cap space.



Am I on track so far?
 
poster fiveteamer is not impressed

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Okay. So. Nobody has corrected me on anything so far so ---> analyzing the David Clarkson trade - Step 2



So the Leafs have successfully freed up cap space. This is the primary reason so many people around town are talking triumphant. They are spending the same amount of money - but freeing up over 5 million a year in cap space. They were sitting right at the ceiling. Now they are not.

Okay.

But the Leafs are working on a rebuild. They are saying as much in words and their actions are consistent. The plan is to tear it down to the wood, to shed everything.

So ---> what do they need cap space for? There is no way a team following their plan is pushing the cap. In a rebuild, they should be closer to the floor than the ceiling for at least 3, 4, 5 years. There is no other way. You aren't in bidding wars for aging UFA's.

As far as that trade goes, cap issues are a red herring.




This is where it gets interesting . . .
 
Matty
I don't think there was a larger plan than just getting rid of a player who didn't want to play hard anymore.

:dunno:
Click to expand...

I find that possible. I might not choose that wording. Having a bad player - a guy who has been a healthy scratch - actually kind of fits in with their plan. Soft play, more losing, better draft picks, yada yada.

But maybe they were being nice. He wanted out so they accommodated.

Me personally - I feel that would be stupid. Or rather let's say, bad business. They have paid the guy eleventy billion dollars, if his delicate feelings are hurt, kinda like, too bad. Maybe we'll get around to doing something for you if we can find something advantageous for us - which this move isn't in any way. (Or is it?)

So far it is just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. (Or is it?)

Maybe part of it is appeasing simpleton fans. They are excited about cap space and can't make the jump to understanding its irrelevance right now.

But maybe - MAYBE - there is more to this.

Nathan Horton. Maybe he is more of an asset than it appears on the surface.

Maybe Columbus was even dumber than it seemed at first.
 
Mudcat
I find that possible. I might not choose that wording. Having a bad player - a guy who has been a healthy scratch - actually kind of fits in with their plan. Soft play, more losing, better draft picks, yada yada.

But maybe they were being nice. He wanted out so they accommodated.

Me personally - I feel that would be stupid. Or rather let's say, bad business. They have paid the guy eleventy billion dollars, if his delicate feelings are hurt, kinda like, too bad. Maybe we'll get around to doing something for you if we can find something advantageous for us - which this move isn't in any way. (Or is it?)

So far it is just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. (Or is it?)

Maybe part of it is appeasing simpleton fans. They are excited about cap space and can't make the jump to understanding its irrelevance right now.

But maybe - MAYBE - there is more to this.

Nathan Horton. Maybe he is more of an asset than it appears on the surface.

Maybe Columbus was even dumber than it seemed at first.
Click to expand...

Cap flexibility is important when you're bad, look at the Lakers and Knicks in the NBA for the impact of being capped-out and horrible.

Maybe this player does flourish in a market where his every move isn't reported like the Toronto media. Many players have complained about playing in Toronto and Montreal in the past.
 
(Okay I know this is not what you are talking about but I must continue my ramble)


The Leafs want to unload those contacts. Kessel/Phaneuf. There is no doubt. Joffrey Lupul too. Bozak. (sp?) They would like to receive something for the future in return - obviously. And I feel sure they are realistic enough to know they will be eating some dollars on their cap for years to come. Maybe a couple million per year per player. Wouldn't surprise me.

But what does it matter? With the large chunks of those contracts they do unload, they won't be at the cap. The Leafs have no cap issues. If anything, those eaten contract might help them reach the floor during a serious rebuild.

So why are people saying the Clarkson deal was a work of genius from a cap perspective? It means zero to the cap and it is the exact same money organizationally.



Here's what I am thinking. Nathan Horton in his present form has value. The League okayed the Clarkson/Horton trade as not circumventing the cap - so he could be dealt again. He has value. The Leafs, I believe, could get something real for him - something much better than the Clarkson situation - from a team that has cap issues (Blackhawks?) - but also doesn't mind spending off the cap (Rangers? Flyers?)

Columbus also could have done that, gotten something better than the Clarkson situation. But they fucked up. I believe.

I might be in the rare position of giving the Leafs credit for doing something extremely smart this week. Not for clearing cap space. Something deeper.
 
Mudcat
Here's what I am thinking. Nathan Horton in his present form has value. The League okayed the Clarkson/Horton trade as not circumventing the cap - so he could be dealt again. He has value. The Leafs, I believe, could get something real for him - something much better than the Clarkson situation - from a team that has cap issues (Blackhawks?) - but also doesn't mind spending off the cap (Rangers? Flyers?)

Columbus also could have done that, gotten something better than the Clarkson situation. But they fucked up. I believe.

I might be in the rare position of giving the Leafs credit for doing something extremely smart this week. Not for clearing cap space. Something deeper.
Click to expand...

Right. Except that Bettman could well intervene if multiple rich owners decide to use Horton as a "cap-fraud" scheme.
 
I'm probably not following right. But are you saying the teams are developing a class of non players who they can throw real $ at in order to free up cap space?:mrquincy: that would be :awesome:

I'd like to add that in general I know the Leafs and their fans mentality is to go for the hard nosed, "hard working", not too fancy type of meathead player. Thats ok, but don't throw millions at em. Save your money for at least 1 or 2 highly skilled play makers.
 
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