nccanes
06-24-2003, 10:59 AM
From tsn.ca
Devils facing payroll reduction
TSN.ca Staff
6/24/2003
The New Jersey Devils will have a different look on the ice next season as they prepare to defend their Stanley Cup title.
"In my mind, our salaries were too high," general manager Lou Lamoriello tells the Bergen Record. "I have to do something about it."
Among the moves being considered by Lamoriello is not tendering Oleg Tverdovsky a qualifying offer of $3.6-million, which would make him a free agent.
The New York Post also report that the Devils GM has elected not to pick up the $2.5-million option on Richard Smehlik's contract, making him a free agent as well on July 1. He will join Joe Nieuwendyk, Ken Daneyko, Tommy Albelin, Jim McKenzie and Pascal Rheaume as unrestricted free agents.
Daneyko is expected to meet with Lamoriello as early as this week to discuss his options. He is reportedly leaning towards retirement.
Lamoriello says even though the Devils won the Stanley Cup, the team still lost money. As a result, the team's estimated $50-million payroll will have to be reduced.
"I believe it's too high and we got caught in that because of a couple of trades that we made," he said. "Fortunately, the year turned out OK, but when you go back and evaluate, our payroll was too high and it's my responsibility to get it down."
Jeff Friesen, Brian Gionta, Mike Rupp, and Jiri Bicek are all restricted free agents and are likely to receive qualifying offers from the team. Of that group, Friesen is the only player that makes more than $1 million.
Devils facing payroll reduction
TSN.ca Staff
6/24/2003
The New Jersey Devils will have a different look on the ice next season as they prepare to defend their Stanley Cup title.
"In my mind, our salaries were too high," general manager Lou Lamoriello tells the Bergen Record. "I have to do something about it."
Among the moves being considered by Lamoriello is not tendering Oleg Tverdovsky a qualifying offer of $3.6-million, which would make him a free agent.
The New York Post also report that the Devils GM has elected not to pick up the $2.5-million option on Richard Smehlik's contract, making him a free agent as well on July 1. He will join Joe Nieuwendyk, Ken Daneyko, Tommy Albelin, Jim McKenzie and Pascal Rheaume as unrestricted free agents.
Daneyko is expected to meet with Lamoriello as early as this week to discuss his options. He is reportedly leaning towards retirement.
Lamoriello says even though the Devils won the Stanley Cup, the team still lost money. As a result, the team's estimated $50-million payroll will have to be reduced.
"I believe it's too high and we got caught in that because of a couple of trades that we made," he said. "Fortunately, the year turned out OK, but when you go back and evaluate, our payroll was too high and it's my responsibility to get it down."
Jeff Friesen, Brian Gionta, Mike Rupp, and Jiri Bicek are all restricted free agents and are likely to receive qualifying offers from the team. Of that group, Friesen is the only player that makes more than $1 million.