Madferret
7-27-05, 10:58 AM
Caps keeping Kolzig, set to sign Ovechkin
TheFourthPeriod.com
Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis said the team's 2005-06 payroll will fall somewhere between the salary cap minimum of $21.5 million and $25 million, according to the Washington Post. "This first year [under the league's salary cap economic system] we're going to see what we have," Leonsis told the Post. "The key element in this new system is to have the ability to act at the right time [and get the] right player. Unlike the NBA, this is hard cap. And unlike the NFL, all of our contracts are guaranteed.
"So imagine if everyone went out and spent $39 million this year on long-term deals. You're kind of done." Leonsis also said the team plans to retain its veterans, adding that the contract of top goaltender Olaf Kolzig won't be bought out. Kolzig, 35, is in the final season of a five-year contract that will pay him $4.94 million this season.
"Out of the gate . . . we are keeping our veterans," Leonsis said. "My goal is to ice a competitive team this year." The other veterans Leonsis refers to is center Jeff Halpern, right wing Dainius Zubrus and defenseman Brendan Witt. All three are restricted free agents and will receive qualifying offers this week.
Meanwhile, the team's top priority remains signing Alexander Ovechkin, the club's No. 1 overall pick last year, claims the Post, and a deal could be reached as early as this week.
"We are making every effort to bring him here," Leonsis said. "[GM George McPhee] spoke to the agent [Friday] night, as did I. We both want him here."
The Capitals will also be pursuing defense this summer, as Leonsis said the team needs "some help on the blueline and we have some money to spend there."
TheFourthPeriod.com
Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis said the team's 2005-06 payroll will fall somewhere between the salary cap minimum of $21.5 million and $25 million, according to the Washington Post. "This first year [under the league's salary cap economic system] we're going to see what we have," Leonsis told the Post. "The key element in this new system is to have the ability to act at the right time [and get the] right player. Unlike the NBA, this is hard cap. And unlike the NFL, all of our contracts are guaranteed.
"So imagine if everyone went out and spent $39 million this year on long-term deals. You're kind of done." Leonsis also said the team plans to retain its veterans, adding that the contract of top goaltender Olaf Kolzig won't be bought out. Kolzig, 35, is in the final season of a five-year contract that will pay him $4.94 million this season.
"Out of the gate . . . we are keeping our veterans," Leonsis said. "My goal is to ice a competitive team this year." The other veterans Leonsis refers to is center Jeff Halpern, right wing Dainius Zubrus and defenseman Brendan Witt. All three are restricted free agents and will receive qualifying offers this week.
Meanwhile, the team's top priority remains signing Alexander Ovechkin, the club's No. 1 overall pick last year, claims the Post, and a deal could be reached as early as this week.
"We are making every effort to bring him here," Leonsis said. "[GM George McPhee] spoke to the agent [Friday] night, as did I. We both want him here."
The Capitals will also be pursuing defense this summer, as Leonsis said the team needs "some help on the blueline and we have some money to spend there."