Hockey salaries were out of control, prior to the NHL lockout, and the resulting agreement.

During that time, four players were earning $11 million plus per season – not counting Sakic and Fedorov, who had higher front-loaded contracts.

They were: Mario Lemieux, Peter Forsberg, Keith Tkachuk, and Jaromir Jagr (three seasons).

Name the highest paid NHL player, never to play in an All-Star game, or win a Stanley Cup.

Chris Gratton

Bobby Clarke, and the Philadelphia Flyers, signed Gratton to a $10,150,000 contract for the 1997-98 season.

When Bob Goodenough took over the NHLPA in February, 1990, he introduced salary disclosure. It’s something that’s taken for granted today.

How important was it?

Wayne Greztky’s father, Walter admitted to Terry Jones: “I knew Wayne was getting traded days before he did because Nelson Skalbania phoned me and asked, ‘How much does Wayne make?’

I said ‘Why?’

He said ‘Because Peter’s shopping him to the highest bidder.’

I said ‘No he’s not.’

He said ‘Yes he is.’

That was during the 1988 Stanley Cup finals – a year and a half before salary disclosure.

Of course Pocklington knew how much his star was making, as did Wayne and his father, but it wasn’t public knowledge like it is today.

Hockey Zone Plus has compiled a comprehensive database of some 2500 players who’ve played in the NHL from 1989 until the present.

Also, a hockey fan, who calls himself Ogopogo, has located copies of Sport magazine, which ceased publishing in 2000. In his issues were the: 1987, 1990, and 1991 NHL salaries.

I have included the Hockey Zone’s 1990 salaries, along with those listed by Sport.

I would note, however, that the two lists for 1990 aren’t always the same – some are calculated in American funds, some Canadian. But, I am including both, as they provide a good idea of NHL salaries at that time.

I would ask the reader to also note, that the years from 1987 until 1990, was the time in which Offer Sheets were first being presented.

SPORT - June, 1987

1. Wayne Gretzky – Oilers – $950,000 CDN – (converted to $717,250 USD)
2. Marcel Dionne – Rangers – $700,000
3. Mike Bossy – Islanders – $650,000
4. Bryan Trottier – Islanders – $625,000
5. Dave Taylor – Kings – $600,000
6. Mario Lemieux – Penguins – $550,000
5. Denis Potvin – Islanders – $550,000
8. Mike Liut – Whalers – $450,000
9. Rod Langway – Capitals – $400,000
10. Barry Pederson – Canucks – $350,000

SPORT - June, 1989

1. Gretzky – Kings – $2 million
2. Lemieux – Penguins – $1.5 million
3. Trottier – Islanders – $950,000
4. Taylor – Kings – $700,000
5. Dionne – Rangers – $600,000
6. Liut – Whalers – $550,000
7. Goulet – Nordiques – $510,000
8. Messier – Oilers – $510,000
9. Savard – Blackhawks – $500,000
10. Coffey – Penguins – $485,000
11. Duguay – Kings – $475,000
12. Hawerchuk – Jets – $467,500
13. Stastny – Nordiques – $446,250
14. Carpenter – Bruins – $425,000
15. LaFontaine – Islanders – $425,000
16. Gustafsson – Capitals – $410,000
17. Stevens -Capitals – $400,000
18. Pederson – Canucks – $400,000
19. Bourque – Bruins – $380,000
20. Fuhr – Oilers – $340,000
20. Robinson – Canadiens – $340,000

SPORT - June, 1990

1. Gretzky – Kings – $2.72 milion
2. Lemieux – Penguins – $2.15 million
3. Chelios – Canadiens – $1 million
4. Trottier – Islanders – $975,000
5. Taylor – Kings – $950,000
6. Bourque – Bruins – $925,000
7. Messier – Oilers – $875,000
8. Nicholls – Rangers – $725,000
9. Yzerman – Red Wings – $700,000
10. Goulet – Nordiques/Blackhawks – $600,000
11. Carson – Oilers – $585,000
12. Robinson – Kings – 550,000
13. Savard – Blackhawks – $525,000
14. Dineen – Whalers – $510,000
15. Wilson – Blackhawks – $500,000
16. Hextall – Flyers – $500,000
17. Kerr – Flyers – $500,000
18. Coffey – Penguins – $485,000
19. Stastny – Nordiques – $480,000
20. Hawerchuk – Jets – $462,000

HOCKEY ZONE PLUS - 1989-90 (U.S. Dollars)

1. Lemieux – Penguins – $2,000,000

2. Gretzky – Kings – $1,720,000

3. Messier – Oilers – $855,271

4. Yzerman – Red Wings – $700,000

5. Trottier – Islanders – $ 575,000

6. Robinson – Kings – $550,000

7. Savard – Blackhawks – $525,000

8. Goulet – Nordiques/Blackhawks – $517,980

9. Bourque – Bruins – $500,000

10. Hextall – Flyers – $500,000

11. Wilson – Blackhawks – $500,000

12. Taylor – Kings- $500,000

13. Kerr – Flyers – $500,000

14. Chelios – Canadiens – $496,398

15. Coffey – Penguins – $450,000

16. Liut – Capitals – $445,000

17. Salming – Maple Leafs – $435,000

18. Kurri – Oilers – $431,650

19. Howe – Flyers – $425,000

20. Stastny – Nordiques – $414,384

21. MacInnis – Flames – $410,068

22. Sandstrom – Kings – $410,000

23. LaFontaine – Islanders – $400,000

24. Nicholls – Rangers – $400,000

25. Gartner – Capitals – $400,000

25. Carson – Oilers – $400,000

Inventor Frank Mogridge designed an inflatable boxing glove-looking thing in 1905. The A.J. Reach Company of Philadelphia sold it for $5.

Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan experimented with “head harnesses” and developed a leather batting helmet in 1908.

Necessity was the mother of invention, as he had been severely injured by a beaning.

The earliest versions were made of soft leather and were predominantly designed to cover the ears. The first helmets offering full protection of the skull and featuring holes in the earflaps were introduced between 1915 and 1917. During the 1920s and 1930s, makers began to utilize harder leathers and some fabric cushioning for greater protection and helmets finally caught on just after World War Two.

The BIKE Athletic Company – based in Knoxville, TN – claims that it invented the athletic supporter as we know it in 1874.

The Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball credits catcher Claude Berry with introducing the cup to major league baseball in 1904.

So, baseball – like hockey players – were more concerned with their knackers than their heads.

NHL owners and players continue this tradition today.

Do NHL owners patch the roofs of their arenas?

Do they fix their ice making plants when they break down?

Of course they do. It’s good business to keep their assets in top shape.

This is true of any business.

And the NHL is big business. The combined values of the 30 teams is nearly $6.7 billion dollars – this according to Forbes Magazine’s league-wide appraisals.

So, why don’t the NHL teams protect their greatest assets – their players?

By allowing repeated head attacks, they are undermining their businesses.

The preceding chart shows the increases and decreases in teams’ values – as determined by Forbes Magazine.

There are numerous variables used to determine a team’s value, but success tops the list.

Washington was up 15% last season.

Forbes wrote:

“Winning counts for a lot in the NHL where gate receipts contribute a higher percentage of revenue than any other major league and home playoff games can bring in between $700,000 to $1 million for the Capitals. That is good news for the Capitals who rode superstar Alex Ovechkin to the second round of the playoffs last season and fans believe the team could be a premier franchise for years to come…at the start of this season the team was close to selling all 12,000 of its season tickets. Meanwhile, ratings for Capitals broadcasts on CSN Mid-Atlantic were up 67% last year. The Capitals brand has also rebounded, with the team among the league leaders in merchandise sales.”

Many have commented on the loss of Ovechkin – due to injury – and its impact on the NHL.

What if he was injured by a head attack?

It would be devastating to the Caps and the league.

And not good business.

*****

GM Place photo courtesy of ultradev.martell.ca

*****

EARLY ATTENDANCE TRENDS IN THE NHL – THIS SEASON

Alexander Ovechkin is earning $9,000,000 this season.

This is in contrast to a number of NHLers who are earning the league’s minimum salary – $500,000.

All of the 715 players listed by nhlnumbers.com can afford a cell phone.

And yet, the NHLPA has difficulty electronically assembling their membership to vote – or discuss problems.

This is just one of the numerous difficulties that the players currently face.

The following is my summary included in The Fischler Report:

A thorough review – plus a new constitution and infrastructure – should assure the players that their organization represents them in a competent manner.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then NHL Home Pages are the windows to the teams.

We can gain insights into many teams’ attitudes – and wallet thicknesses – by viewing their Home Pages.

The nucks’ Home Page uses the NHL’s generic format: game info, profiles, articles, and ads.

The look that’s aimed for is traditional: “We’ve been around for a long time.”

“And, there’s no need to advertise tickets because we’re sold out – recession/depression or no recession….”

The Nashville Predators also use the NHL’s generic format for their Home Page – and the new catchy phrase: WELCOME TO SMASHVILLE.

Not only is the team’s name agressive – PREDATORS – but so’s their new moniker.

They need to sell tickets, but don’t want to seem desperate. They are selling Fantasy Hockey ‘09 plus NHL 2K10.

They have a beautiful fringe that’s inconsistent with their team’s name and new moniker.

Now, Detroit’s so desperate to sell tickets that they advertised their home playoff games – against the Blue Jackets – with Columbus fan groups.

That was last spring during the post-season, and now they have to sell tickets so that they can afford to re-sign Nick Lidstrom.

Their tact this year is to go after the families: hard hat Detroit with an Octopus on the top. They are also giving away toys for the kids at many games – and membership cards, pizza and pop….

Is that the Coyote’s logo or the wolf at their door?

Phoenix is marketing their tickets for really cheap – and throwing in t-shirts.

They aren’t trying to sell season’s tickets, because no one knows if the team will be in town next week.

The Blue Jackets’ marketing people know what they’re doing.

It’s tough times in Columbus and they are using the red, white and blue of the team’s logo, and hosting a flag carrying march on opening night.

Patriotism always sells.

Fans get to see Steve Mason’s Calder Trophy – on display – receive magnetic schedules, plus a Steve Mason poster.

Their Home Page is very well-designed by someone who understands both art and hockey.

The Florida Panther’s marketing people are brilliant – but confused.

They think that they’re designing a movie poster for MIAMI VICE 2.

“Purchase Tickets” is barely visible and they have a game countdown over a soft picture.

This Home Page is about as unhockey as you can get.

Now, this is a Home Page.

The designers know their market. They’re selling tickets.

Their man on the cover is a traditional Bruin: a fighting grinder.

He’s wearing an old style jersey and the Home page looks like an old Bruins poster – traditional looking like the Canucks, but better.

The Boston Home Page makes me want to buy tickets – if I know what’s good for me.

Many ‘nucks fans are becoming expert capologists. 

They know how much each player is earning, his cap hit, and how much space Vancouver has – or doesn’t have – before they are over the Cap.

Vancouver’s highest cap hit is Roberto at $6,750,000.

The Islanders’ top cap hit is Rick DiPietro at $4,500,000, their second is young Dman Mark Steit – at $4,100,000, and their third is first overall pick – John Tavares – who makes the rookie max of $900,000, plus $2,850,000 in bonuses – $3,750,000.

So, who’s their 4th highest pick?

It’s Alexei Yashin – and he hasn’t even played for the Islanders for two seasons.

Yashin had signed a 10 year contract and was demoted to the 4th line during the 2006-07 playoffs.

The Islanders decided to buy out the remainder of Yashin’s contract for $17.63 million, or two-thirds of the salary owed.

courtesy of nhlnumbers.com

Yashin is being paid out over eight years – at $2.2 million per season – but the cap hit is $3,235,000 for eight years – until 2015.

Besides paying out the money, and the terrible cap hit, what’s frustrating for the Islanders is that Yashin’s now making the big bucks in the KHL.

courtesy of hockeydb.com

Of the NHL’s 30 teams, 17 are losing cap space for 27 players. 

Carolina and Boston have three buyouts – each – and you can see why the Bruins couldn’t sign Phil Kessel. 

Eight players are being paid by both their buyout and current teams. 

Three players – who are being paid from buyouts – are trying out for the Canucks.

Mark Parrish is being paid out by Minnesota: $727,778 this season, and $927,778 each of the next four. Like Yashin, Parrish had been benched and banished for ineffective play.

Dave Scatchard is also being paid out. But, his was the result of an injury.

During the 2006-07 season, Pittsburgh’s Sergei Gonchar ran the Phoenix Coyote face-first into the boards, giving him a concussion and knocking out his teeth. Post-concussion symptoms persisted, but then Scatchard claimed that he was over his concussion, and just having trouble with the alignment of his new teeth. 

GM Don Maloney decided, however, to buy out the remaining two years and $4.2 million left on the four-year, $8.4 million deal. Scatchard had signed the agreement with the Bruins in 2005.

Toronto bought out Andrew Raycroft during the summer of 2008. He was scheduled to be paid $2.2 million last season, but the Leafs decided that they could acquire a more effective player with what they didn’t have to pay Raycroft. 

Two well known former Canucks have also been bought out.

Todd Bertuzzi had signed a two-year deal – with the Anaheim Ducks – and was scheduled to be paid $4 million for the second 2008-09 season. He received part of his buyout last season, while playing in Calgary, and will be receiving the remainder while he is playing with Detroit this year. 

As Boston had no cap room to sign Phil Kessel, Anaheim wouldn’t have been able to sign Corey Perry had they kept Bertuzzi.

“Todd Bertuzzi is a quality person who we believe can still play at the NHL level,” former Ducks GM Brian Burke said. “Unfortunately, we are handcuffed by our salary cap situation. We thank him for his efforts last year and wish him the best of luck in the future.”

Former ‘nucks goalie Dan Cloutier was paid $1,033,000 last season and will make the same amount this campaign – whether he makes the Red Wings or not. 

His situation was a combination of injury and ineffective play.

Vancouver isn’t one of the 17 teams losing money due to buyouts.

The only long-term names that Mike Gillis has on the books are: Roberto, the twins, Alex Burrow, and Alex Edler. And no one believes that any of these four will be bought out.

*****

One of the creditors in the Coyotes bankruptcy is Dave Scatchard who is owed about $1.4 million of his buyout.

We’re told that Roberto should have his contract extended over the next couple of weeks.

How much should/will the Canucks pay Luongo?

Do they undermine the bank and pay him as much as Henrik Lundqvist? The Rangers’ netminder has been making an average of $6,875,000 per season?

Do they try and pay him what other goalies – who believe in their team first – are being paid? 

New Jersey’s Marty Brodeur is averaging only $5,200,000 per season, while Stanley Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury signed for an average of $5,000,000 per campaign.

Or is Roberto to be paid what a comparable netminder is making – Tomas Vokoun, who’s banking $5,700,000 per season?

Do the Canucks pay him as much as the Sedins are receiving – $6,100,000 per season? 

CAREER

Luongo isn’t the NHL’s best goalie, but his numbers are up there.

He leads the NHL’s current goalies with a .9191 career save percentage average, and is second only to Dominik Hasek – .9223 – in all time save percentage.

His career goals against average isn’t that great – 2.569 – but he’s averaged 2.34 goals per game in his three years with the ‘nucks.

CAREER

courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com

This past season wasn’t Roberto’s best. He was 5th in both goals against, and save percentage. 

2008-09 REGULAR SEASON

courtesy of nhl.com

When most critics evaluate Luongo, however, it’s the post-season that they look at – not his regular seasons’ stats.

And, Roberto has only appeared in a total of 4 playoff series in two of his nine seasons – only 22 games.

Unfortunately, his lack of post-season experience has translated into inconsistent play.

*****

So, how much does Roberto want?

It really comes down to how he sees himself, and his career. 

Does he want to gobble up a large chunk of Vancouver’s cash and see the talent level fall off after Henrik, Daniel and a few other teammates are paid?

Or does he want to win a Cup – or two?

My belief?

He’ll sign for a little more than the twins over a comparable period of time – 5 years. This would be $1,400,000 – or so – less than he’s scheduled to make this season.

And Gillis will talk Roberto into taking less over the next couple of seasons – when the cap should go down some 10 to 15% – and top things up during the last three years of his contract.

“Assistant general manager Jim Nill said the Wings would try to sit down with Lidstrom during training camp to begin talking about a new contract,” wrote the Free Press.

I’d like to know what they’ll talk about.

This year’s salary cap is $56.8 million, and if it falls 15% – as they claim it might do – the 2010-11 cap will be $48.28 million.

If you look at the nhl.numbers.com spreadsheet below: without Nichlas Lidstrom re-signed, Detroit will be paying $44,425 for just 13 players in 2010-11.

And with Lidstrom making $7 million, Detroit would be paying $51,425 – for 14 players.

Thus, the Red Wings would be over the cap by $3 million plus, and still need  to sign 11 players – for at least the $500,000 minimum salary.

The Detroit Red Wings can’t afford to re-sign Nicklas Lidstrom.

They would have two $6 million, and two $7 million players on their roster.  This would be $27.45 – or 57 % of their 2010-11 salary budget.

Ken Holland will have to trade Brian Rafalski or Johan Franzen to make room for the Norris winner.

*****

Please note that the last spreadsheet column is Detroit’s payroll with Nichlas Lidstrom, and the 2nd to last is without him on their roster.

I have mixed feelings about Mats returning to the ‘nucks.

Last season, I was a combination of annoyed, frustrated, hopeful, and in the end – sad.

Because of these mixed feelings, I thought I would do an apple to apple comparison with another veteran – New Jersey’s Brendan Shanahan.

To try and find some context for Mats Sundin’s season in Vancouver.

Shanny is 40 to Sundin’s 37, and also came into 2008-09 late in the season. Sundin dressed for 41 contests, and Shanahan for 7 games less.

Mats Sundin was a first and second line player – who took shifts on the power play. Shanahan played on New Jersey’s checking, and energy lines – a lot on the pk, and very little on the power play.

The Devils’ top six scorers hogged the first two lines.

“Sutter has preferred recently a more contemporary philosophy of using two offensive lines, and then a third and fourth line,” wrote Colin Stephenson of The Star Ledger.

On the checking line, Shanahan played with Jay Pandolfo and John Madden. His time on the energy line was alongside Bobby Holik and Mike Rupp.

Sundin’s and Shanahan’s different roles impacted their stats.

Mats Sundin

Brendan Shanahan

Mats scored 9 goals versus 6 for Shanahan. Sundin had 5 power play goals to Shanahan’s 2. Both had 4 even strength goals.

Sundin had twice as many assists – 19 versus 8 for Shanahan, and Mats was on the ice for twice as many goals created.

The Canucks’ veteran had 44 total goals for – while he was on the ice – and the Devils’ oldest player had 16 goals for.

Sundin was on for 23 power play goals, and Shanahan for three – two of which he scored himself.

Also, Shanahan had 4 power play goals scored against him, versus only one for Sundin, as Brendan played a lot of pk, and Sundin almost none.

GLOSSARY OF TERMINOLOGY

Mats Sundin

courtesy of hockey-reference.com

Those stats – noted above – are primarily the results of their different roles on the ‘nucks and Devils.

But, there are other stats that are in Shanahan’s favour – regardless of his role.

Brendan played against his rivals’ top lines and was on for only 19 goals against, versus 27 for Sundin.

Also, while playing against top players – with linemates who seldom scored – Shanahan had a -.06 plus minus, versus Sundin’s -.12.

Mats Sundin did play well during the playoffs, however. He had 3 goals and 5 assists in 8 games. Shanahan – in his limited role – had 3 points in 7 games during the post-season.

I believe that Brendan Shanahan could have played on Vancouver’s top two lines, and would have outscored Sundin.

I also believe that Mats Sundin wouldn’t have cracked the Devils’ top two lines.

Also, Mats couldn’t play another role that Brendan did in New Jersey:

“After being cross-checked by Eric Boulton…Shanahan jumped in ahead of teammate Mike Rupp to fight the Thrashers’ enforcer.

“I think their guy was just trying to get their team going,” Shanahan said. “He’d given me a little cross-check from behind. Not much.

“When I realized Ruppy was going to fight him, I wanted to jump in and not let him fight my battle.”

Rupp already had his gloves off, but stayed out of the altercation.

“I just wanted to get off the ice so I didn’t get an extra two minutes,” Rupp said. “I’m not surprised (Shanahan) did it. We know he can handle himself.”

Shanahan landed several hard punches, but wound up having his nose bloodied.

“We hit each other with a couple,” Shanahan said. “It felt good. More the part of me hitting him than him hitting me.

“It’s (fighting) not something you get to do when you don’t play in the NHL without staying out of jail. Usually that’s frowned upon in society. I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get to do that again. It’s always fun to go against a tough guy.”

courtesy of hockeybuzz.com

But, the bottom line – of an apple to apple comparison-  between the two players, was that Shanahan played for less than 10% of what Sundin commanded.

He was good value, whereas Sundin wasn’t – in my opinion.