Finger for Souray: A Deal That Makes Sense For All Sides?
Jonathan Willis
October 12 2010 10:45PM
With the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent decision to waive Jeff Finger and assign him to the AHL’s Marlies, and Sheldon Souray’s continuing presence in the minors, it’s been suggested that the Leafs and the Oilers might be able to help each other out by swapping expensive defencemen.
But rather than being a deal that makes sense for both sides, this strikes me as a deal that makes sense for neither side. Leaving alone the complexities of smuggling the two players back into the NHL past re-entry waivers without either getting claimed, this isn’t a deal that makes sense from a hockey or financial standpoint.
Toronto doesn’t need Souray. Between Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek, Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin, the Leafs have more than $19 million invested in their top four defencemen. Luke Schenn and Brett Lebda (once healthy) should round out the top six, and there’s plenty of depth after that. So while the Leafs might be eager to rid themselves of Finger’s contract, it doesn’t make much sense for them to add Sheldon Souray’s $5.4 million cap hit to their blue line.
The Oilers don’t need Finger. Finger’s a perfectly serviceable third-pairing (or preferably seventh) defenceman and has been for his entire career – both before and after Leafs’ G.M. Cliff Fletcher signed him to that ridiculous four year/$14.0 million contract. For all of Souray’s faults, when he’s playing well he at least approaches value for his contract; Jeff Finger never has and it seems implausible that he ever will.
It’s a trade that makes sense for neither side; the Leafs would be getting a player they don’t need and probably don’t want but one that’s close to being worth his contract, while the Oilers would be swapping a useful asset that they can’t use in exchange for a salary cap anchor – and all to save $1.0 million dollars, something they could have done by simply not qualifying Jeff Deslauriers.
I think the Leafs are stuck with Finger, and I suspect that the Oilers are stuck with Souray, and I’m not at all clear on how swapping problems makes sense for either side.
Well, yes and no: for now, the Oilers would have first dibs on Finger through re-entry waivers, while the Leafs would have first dibs on Souray. Of course, that means instead of the $3.5 million cap hit for Finger, we'd be carrying a $1.75 million cap hit for him and a $2.75 cap hit for Souray.
What if I told the nation that it is a guarantee Souray will be with the Oilers next year and that he will score 25 goals and lead the Oilers to the 3rd round of the playoffs?
Would anyone buy my signed Sheldon Souray framed picture and hockey card that I overbid on at a silent auction to outbid my wife's ex-boss to show him up? ...... only $400.00 for me to break even.
Sounds like a bargain, I'll give you 800.
How many times can you call a guy up and down ? Will Souray get called up anytime just to see if anyone takes a crack at him on recallable waivers ? And can you send him right back down ?
Great article Mr. Willis, very logical. The only problem is, any trade regarding Souray this year involves recall waivers and the chance of a loss. I say, call him back up when you know someone will claim him, and let them have him. Mitigate your losses, cut bait, move on. Get him out of the news, you won't do better than that. Nobody is giving you any "assets" for him over the summer. Lets not kid ourselves.
I don't think that's true.. Granted, Souray's $5.4 million would scare alot of teams off, but we'd need to assume we'd be getting a bad contract back with maybe a 3rd/4th round draft pick. I say wait this year out and see what happens in the summer... We have the cap space and the luxury to wait. Souray's also not going to be making any news in Hersey; unless we get hit with the injury bug during a 20 game losing streak (knock on wood that doesn't happen)...
@Robin Brownlee
I looked around for Bob Cob's original comment and could not find it anywhere. Strange to be able to reply to something that doesn't exist! I am a fan of JW's writing and i'm sure he can survive Mr Cob's comment without censorship.... I was actually going to give Cob a +1 props because I too feel the same way: As JW himself says, why in the hell would anyone even consider this trade? Seinfeld indeed.
Edit: Sorry Robin this post isn't meant to be directed at you.
@Oilanderp
~S~K~, if that's your REAL NAME, why don't you go somewhere else. We don't like the fact that you were mildly amused at a harmless post that is poking fun at a well established writer. Remove your smirk and then do whatever instructions are at the end of this post immediately not that there are any or as if it matters since you will not be able to read this censored post. People like me make me sick!
@Oilanderp
Forget to take your pills?
I completely disagree. If you leave him down and he plays well you are on the hook for $4.5M and will likely get a draft pick for him and you keep your cap room. If you lose him to waivers you are on the hook fro the same cash but you get nothing in return and lose $2.7M in cap space. Cap space is worth alot and I wouldn't throw it away when you have essentially removed him from your organization anyways.