Sunday, October 08, 2006

Islanders to buy out Yashin and ...

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the New York Islanders will buy out the remainder of under achieving forward, Alexei Yashin's contract at the end of the season. Yashin is in the sixth year of his idiotic contract. As far as the cap goes the Islanders will have to absorb 12 million in cap space for the next 8 years, which comes up to 1.5 million in dead cap space, compared to the space he is taking now, which comes up to 7,4 million. I think it's a pretty good deal for the Islanders, and clean up a mess that should never of happened.It is well stated in the CBA, that buyouts at two thirds are to count in the team's cap space for twice the remaining years of the contract. In Yashin's case, he will have four years remaining on his contract, so spread out it comes up to eight years.

Garrioch also mentions in his article, that the Red Wings could have an eye on Martin Biron from the Buffalo Sabres, should Dominic Hasek fall on his face. Other names are also mentionned to be of interest to the Wings, J-S Giguere in Anaheim, but his contract presents a major obstacle, but could be a good pick up come the tradeline in late February or early March.

In the same article, Garrioch believes Pittsburgh's coach Michel Therrien and Dallas coach, Dave Tippett could be on the bubble and could become the first coaching casualities of the season. If Tippett was too fall in Dallas, former Leafs Bench boss, Pat Quinn could be considered to take over. Garrioch mentions also, that Ottawa Senators owner, Eugene Melnyk, is being patient with his coach, Bryan Murray, and suggest that he should offer him an extension and kill the speculation that he could be bumped at the end of year or before, if the team should fail to live up to expectations. I have always wondered why Murray was hired in the first place, because his coaching record in the playoffs pretty much looked the same as Jacques Martin's who was fired after the early exit in the spring of 2004.

It seems that Washington Capitals owner, Ted Leonsis, is taking offers from potential buyers, but has not mentionned if he would actually sell the team, but you never know.

That's all for now folks !

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