by Coach K, AllHabs.net

SAINT-LAZARE, QC.–Hockey is an intensely physical and speed oriented sport. There are injuries every day, of either the minor or major variety. Although players are much stronger than they once were in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it remains that the human body can only withstand so much punishment.

On Saturday, the Philadelphia Flyers signed Jeff Carter to an eleven year, $58 million contract. And just this past off-season, we had the debacle that was the New Jersey Devils’ signing of free agent Ilya Kovalchuk for fifteen years, and a whopping $100 million. This got me to thinking, “Has everyone in the NHL lost their freaking minds?”

After the lockout of 2004-2005, it was expected by everyone, the league and fans alike, that the thirty NHL teams would be able to sign a maximum of five elite-level players, at most. The truth is for the majority of the teams, this is true. Those teams with a health revenue stream, like the Montreal Canadiens, could afford to spend to the salary cap maximum, and get the best talent available to them. In most cases, they did.

There are, however, a handful of NHL teams that think getting a superstar to sign long term, and making them the face of their respective franschises would not only improve their on-ice product, but that fans would be intrigued enough to generate higher ticket and merchandising sales. It was their way of saying, “Look! We’re spending for you, so you spend for us!” Unfortunately for them, the fans don’t think the same way.

Take the New York Islanders, for example. In 2001, they acquired Alexei Yashin from the Ottawa Senators for Zdeno Chara, Bill Muckalt, and their second overall pick. That pick eventually became Jason Spezza. They then immediately re-signed Yashin to a ten year, $87.5 million contract. While Yashin’s production had already begun to decline with the Senators, it absolutely bottomed out with the Islanders, who eventually bought out the remainder of his contract. The general manager of record, by the way, was hockey analyst Mike Milbury.

The Islanders didn’t stop there. In 2006, they signed young goaltending sensation Rick DiPietro to a fifteen year, $67.5 million contract, the longest contract in NHL history. Since that contract was signed, DiPietro has spent more time on the disabled list than in game situations. Money well spent, wouldn’t you say?

Then there is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who decided that the franchise would live or die by the exploits of Vincent Lecavalier. In July 2008, they signed the star center to a ten year, $85 million contract extension. To boot, they added a no-movement clause that kicked in July 2009. Since the contract extension was signed, Lecavalier has not been the same player, and has also had several stints on the disabled list. In fact, he is on it right now, after breaking a knuckle in his right hand against the Washington Capitals.

A message to NHL general managers: Take a look at Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings. They are perennial contenders, all while creating a positive environment for their players. These players, like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nikolas Lidstrom to name a few, prefer to stay in Detroit, not for the money, but for the sheer thrill of playing for an organization that cares. They use ALL their draft picks wisely, and give their draftees every opportunity to succeed. All the while, they have a group of veterans that will teach their youngsters proper work ethics, as well as what it really means to be an NHL player!

Long term contracts put a strain on all organizations. Because of the previously mentioned Kovalchuk contract, the New Jersey Devils have had to dress as little as sixteen players for a game. That includes a backup goaltender, effectively leaving the team with fourteen skaters. It results in a distinct disadvantage against their opponents, who normally dress twenty. The contract will also have huge repercussions as far as future signings are concerned, since it takes a major chunk of their budget away.  In my estimation, instead of gaining fans because of this deal, the Devils might end up losing a few.

Notice the trend. Between the injuries, the performance declines and the financial burden, long term deals are a recipe for disaster in a salary cap structure. Four to five years for a length of contract is more that enough to get most players to sign in the NHL. And the idea of giving a player a no-trade or no-movement clause is like opening the door to your home when a burglar comes knocking.

(Image by The Puck Stops Here)