Good News Leafers..

[Madferret]

Nolan won't affect Cap (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1122070220306&call_pageid=970599119419)

Collective sigh?

:thumb:

[KB in Kelowna]

the link didn't work for me.

[Iced Tea]

the link didn't work for me.
Use http://www.bugmenot.com/ to get by registering.

Nolan money won't count against T.O. cap
Ailing forward believes he's owed $11.8 million NHL gives Leafs a break in case they lose grievance

KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER

NEW YORK?The NHL has assured the Maple Leafs that if they lose a grievance over their attempts to buy Owen Nolan out of his contract, it will not count against the salary cap for this season.

But that doesn't mean the dispute is over, and there are about 8 million reasons in U.S. funds why that is the case.

Nolan, who injured his right knee 15 months ago, will almost certainly be bought out for $3.8 million ? two-thirds of the $5.6 million he was scheduled to make next season ? as early as today. But Nolan says he's owed $11.8 million because he's remained hurt since the original injury.

Nolan says the Leafs should pay him the full $5.6 million, plus $6.5 million he would have earned last season if he had been on injured reserve.

Nolan, who has already filed a grievance to be paid last year's full salary, will likely file one for next year's $5.6 million. Any grievance might go to an arbitrator for a ruling. Player grievances from 2001 were only heard this past year, so any decision would come long after the six-day window that begins today to buy players out without the amount going against the salary cap.

"I don't suspect a resolution will come for some time," said Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson.

The fear for the Leafs was that if they lost the grievance, the amount they'd have to pay Nolan would count against the cap, but the league has already told Ferguson that it won't.

The Leafs have a number of problems with Nolan's claims, not the least of which is that they're not convinced that his current knee problems are directly related to his original injury.

"He was out of touch for seven months after being cleared," Ferguson said. "We've been made aware that he's currently injured."

Nolan's agent, J.P. Barry, could not be reached for comment.

The ruling from the NHL comes as a relief to the Leafs who will open up $5.6 million worth of cap room by buying Nolan out, which could allow them to pursue a high-profile free agent such as Scott Niedermayer or Markus Naslund. But losing the case would still result in a serious dent to the bottom line, which looks much rosier for the Leafs now that their player costs are fixed.

But Leaf fans looking for a reduction in the highest ticket prices in the league likely won't get what they're seeking. The Leafs will almost certainly hold the line on ticket prices this season. Neither board chairman Larry Tanenbaum nor Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie would commit to lowering the price of tickets.

On the surface, the new collective bargaining agreement looks like a windfall for the Leafs, the No. 1 team in the league for producing revenues. The Leafs were desperate to get hockey going again last season and there were reports that Tanenbaum was shouted down by the other governors at a board meeting last year when he tried to push for more concessions for the players.

"It was reported that we were sometimes a dissenting voice," Tanenbaum said. "That is true. But we did so because we were also representing the Toronto Maple Leafs and our fans."

As the NHL effectively opens for business today for the first time since Sept. 15, Ferguson has a lot of work to do to prepare for next season. If he buys out Nolan, that means the Leafs have seven players under contract for a total of $21 million, which leaves them with $18 million in cap room to fill out their roster.

As a result of the lottery, the Leafs will pick 21st in the entry draft a week from today. Among the prospects likely to be available then will be Richmond Hill native Andrew Cogliano, the only top GTA prospect in the draft. Cogliano, who played for St. Mike's Jr. A team last season, has explosive speed and terrific offensive instincts, but is just 5-foot-9.

Aside from buying out Nolan, Ferguson likely won't rush into any transactions, but will use the coming days to get a feel for what other teams will do with respect to making qualifying offers or trades. Based on what he finds out, he'll then decide what his course of action will be and whether or not he'll buy out the likes of Ken Klee or Bryan McCabe to create even more room under the salary cap.

The Leafs are expected to open their season Oct. 5 in Ottawa and will host the Montreal Canadiens in their home opener three nights later.

[Newfie John]

Nolan is a joke.

[PDO]

Nolan is a joke.

I don't remember hearing that when he first became a Leafer ;).

[Newfie John]

I don't remember hearing that when he first became a Leafer ;).

Better go back and check, I never liked that deal.

[PDO]

Better go back and check, I never liked that deal.

I just said I didn't remember.. never said you didn't likei t :nod:


So that's what it feels like to be a lawyer

[The Insider]

Regardless of how we feel about Nolan, it is good news that his status will not affect our cap room and we will be free to buy him out and sign some UFAs with his pay. I hope JFJ uses the money wisely though, because this summer could make or break the team for the next 3-5 years, so I am holding my breath...