Subscribe to our newsletter. He warns that Canadian teams may have to develop strategies similar to the Montreal Expo's to stay in business in light of the staggering salaries being laid out for unrestricted free agents. Put on your armchair GM's hat, and pretend you are Glen Sather or Pat Quinn. The collective bargaining agreement holds down the salaries of all players under the age of 31.
Young players are particularly cheap, because of the rookie salary cap.
Almost all Championship teams are built around a core of star players in their prime, that is under the age of 31. It is the top of the roster that makes the real difference. One option is to have fewer good players, and try to win with a total team effort like the Panthers or Sabres. After all the stars are the really expensive players. Sather can cut a lot from his payroll by getting rid of Joseph or Weight, and Quinn could sell Bure or Mogilny.