The Stanley Cup Final is almost over, which can only mean one thing: It’s time for Marc Savard’s contract to be traded again. Last year, his contract went to the Florida Panthers. This year, the NHL’s version of Flat Stanley is on the move again … this time, to New Jersey.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/741416441661034496
The Panthers were looking to tread water last year. This year, after a successful season, they’re looking to make some more noise and give Roberto Luongo another chance to win a Cup. So that money can now turn into a real player or two. For the Devils? They seem more than content to stay at the cap floor with Savard’s $575K contract (with a $4 million cap hit) and let John Hynes continue to work magic with Corey Schneider and a village of interchangeable parts.
But this gives us a road map to what the Red Wings might do with Pavel Datsyuk’s contract if he decides to go to the KHL. Datsyuk has one season left at $5.5 million with a $7.5 million hit, and there’s already speculation that his contract could go to the Coyotes. If Savard’s cap hit can keep getting moved, then the Wings shouldn’t have a problem moving Datsyuk’s contract to a cap circumventing team. Could it all be shuffling to make a play for Steven Stamkos? Are there other players that the Panthers and Red Wings would rather go for?
Here’s what we know for sure: Savard’s contract ends after next season. So the days of a piece of paper being traded for minor leaguers are coming to an end. And I think we’re all thankful for that.
