Is Brian Burke making a genius move by suspending Niedermayer?

Question

So the ducks suspend Niedermayer. They don't have to pay his salary until he comes back. So say he suspends Nieds until 2 months before the playoffs and that takes off about 4 million. They got 4 million to give to Selanne who said if he comes back he will only go to the ducks. So I am thinking Burke is making a genius move by possibly getting around the cap. Him and Niedermayer must be planning this together. So say this does happen. They got the best team in hockey. Bertuzzi,Schnieder,Pronger,Niedermayer,Selanne,Macdonald,Perry,Getzlaf. Now that is a team.

It blocked out the rest of the names.

Nieds, Getzlaf, Perry ,Pronger, Selanne, Bertuzzi, Schnieder, Macdonald, Giguere

The league would allow it. It is completely legal.

I think it is a genius move Jenni. It is like a Yankee story yes, but thats life.

Answer 1

No, he is not. It's an automatic suspension if the player doesn't report to training camp, as stated by the CBA. As for planning this out, everyone knows if Neidermayer comes back after missing 6 months of hockey, he won't be in game shape and nowhere as effective as he needs to be for the Ducks to take another run at the Cup. Neidermayer was logging close to 30 minutes a game in the playoffs (in games that ended in regulation time) and to expect him to play that much without at least 20 games under his belt (maybe more if he's out for that long) is unrealistic. Even if Scott comes back now, he would only play in 1 or 2 preseason games, as he has missed a whole offseason of preparation. I honestly think he is making a decision; this just leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the team, not to mention a distraction as the Ducks' players and management will be asked about it when they report to camp. I don't think Scott or Burke would purposely plan it.

Answer 2

pmunny, it still handcuffs Burke.

Burke is unable to pay any player anything unless he knows what day Niedermayer is coming back.

Using your example, Selanne would not be allowed to come back for $4MM, the Players Association would file a grievance against him (this option was not available in the previous CBA but after Kariya signed for less than market value in Colorado, the wheels were in motion to change it) for lowering players salaries.

And, if he was, he could only do that if he knew what day Niedermayer was returning, and knew what Niedermayer's pro-rated salary would be.

Finally, it is the league that suspends Niedermayer, not the Ducks. The league has to be able to keep it's fiscal books balanced.

I guarantee you that Burke does not want this situation, nor would he jeopardize his reputation by intentionally letting this happen. I can here the conversation now

Mr. Samueli: Brian, what are Scott's plans today?
Burke: Well, he doesn't plan to come back until February 1st
Mr. Samueli: And do we have a replacement for him?
Burke: Not really
Mr. Samueli: Will we win as many games without him as we would with him?
Burke: Probably not sir.
Mr. Samueli: Will the seats be full?
Burke: Hopefully.
Mr. Samueli: But you can't promise me that until Scott is wants to play, we will be as competitive?
Burke: No sir.

See, that wouldn't fly with the owner. I agree with Burke giving Selanne and Niedermayer as much time as they need to make the right decision. He doesn't want to be in the situation where Niedermayer starts the season and then decides on November 1st that retirement is the best option (like Kevin Dineen did a few years ago, and Phil Esposito did all those years ago).

Hockey's a business, and this is a delicate situation. The fact is, there is no viable situation that the NHLPA would agree with that will allow both Niedermayer to Selanne to play for the Ducks this year. As of today, Burke cannot offer Selanne what he's worth because Scott has put that money in limbo until October 1st at least. Brian Burke does not want to be in this situation.

Of the two, Selanne is the one most likely to retire. His children attend a school in California, but he has been offered a great hockey job in Finland (Jari Kurri's kids continued to attend school in Canada after he retired back to Finland so it isn't unheard of).

My gut feeling is that Niedermayer returns before Christmas, Selanne retires, and Anaheim plays deep into the playoffs







CME
Bell's suspension is different, he is being suspended for violating a league policy, and is expected to be re-instated before the season starts. If he is still suspended once the season starts, the Leafs will be able to apply his salary elsewhere, although JFJ admits the fact that Bell is considered day to day would make that difficult to do as the league could re-instate him at any time, and he is under a one way contract.


Needingajob
In the last 48 hours, both Bill Daly and Brian Burke have said that if Niedermayer is suspended, his salary DOES not count against the Cap. It is also stated as such in the CBA. Similarly, a buyout counts against the cap (team terminates contract)....a retirement does not (player terminates contract)

Answer 3

It's a sly move, but not one that pleases this fan at all. I can't say I'm a fan of Scott Nieds or Burke right now for this move. This is NOT a good way to get new people into loving the NHL.
I bet I'm not the only one who is very unhappy right now. This BS is taking away from the glory of winning the SC.
Right now I don't give a rat's behind if he ever plays again.
* It may be genius, but at what cost? Hockey is already watched less than Celebrity Poker.. So, let's piss off the fans by blowing smoke up their a**. wtg People are very fickle. I know from my own experience. The last time I watched a MLB was 1994, then they had a strike and I said bye bye I'll find someplace else to spend my hard earned $$$. Esp in CA where there are about a million things to do unlike the frozen tundra.

Answer 4

It seems to me if he's suspended or retired doesn't matter as far as the team taking a hit on the salary cap, I don't think they can write it off either way. But then, its not like I never been wrong before.
I imagine, either way, Neidermayer knows what it takes to get into game shape and he's good enough that he won't hurt the team if he's not 100% there when he does start.
Look at the Leaf situation with Mark Bell. League suspended him, Leafs can't use the money to sign someone else, temporary or otherwise.

Answer 5

As long as the player is on the roster regardless of the fact if he is suspended it still counts against the salary cap. The owner simply does not have to pay him X number of dollars but the X number of dollars are still listed against the cap. Similarly if a player signs a 3 year 12 million deal it counts against the cap 4 million a season even if the player is payed 6 million the first season and 3 the next two. The cap averages each contract per year and charges that amount against the teams cap number.

Answer 6

Yeah, I think there's some funny stuff going on here. And Burke would be the kind of guy to find a loophole to exploit.

Answer 7

i doubt the league would allow that. my guess is if he is out that long he is going to retire. because if he would come back that would push him over the cap. plus bertuzzi is not the same power forward he once was since the moore hit.

Answer 8

LOL..Burke is a very clever man.

Answer 9

thats kind of a sneaky way of doing it but is he reallydoing to do it