We've gone back and forth in different threads about ways to address cap concerns. I think we're all in agreement that something should be done. The average cap space in our league right now is $11.3m, and that's more than double what it should be. I've narrowed down from many suggestions, and here's what I would like to implement:
1) Cap decrease. Along with adjusting the cap upwards with salary inflation, the cap will also be adjusted downwards to replicate the average cap availability of actual NHL teams. See the League & Roster Settings rule thread for more detail on how that value is determined. Due to some push-back on the idea of a cap decrease (I was previously considering a $4.4m decrease) I decided to cap the decrease at $2m so as to minimize the effect on rosters that are at or near the salary cap. The 2016/2017 salary cap will be decreased by $2m to $79.3m.
2) Changes to sending money in trades. The setup we have is not restrictive enough on teams that are working at or near the salary cap. The ability to send any amount of cash that's not attached to a contract enables teams to shed payroll to rebuilding teams freely and makes working within the cap too easy. Moreover, I've been getting complaints since day one about trading cash for draft picks, and how unrealistic that is, so I figure this is overdue to address. The new rule will be that teams may send cash in trades provided that the value of that cash does not exceed the value of contracts they're also sending in the deal. The purpose of this is to emulate assuming a part or whole of a contract that you're dealing. This money still isn't applied to the players contract, it applies to the cap in general. This eliminates the ability to trade cash for a pick(s), as you would have to include a player that's worth the amount of cash you're sending or less.
3) Increase minimum contract value from $200k to $500k. This includes all prospect contracts. All players signed to prospect contracts would be paid $500k instead of $200k, EXCEPT those players who are currently on your NHL rosters being paid $200k. I won't increase any active contracts, but those that are moved from minors to NHL going forward will cost $500k instead of $200k.
Change #1 would happen next season, obviously. I believe there's no reason that 2 and 3 should not be implemented immediately. Please review. I plan to move forward with these changes unless there's urgent opposition. Let me know your thoughts.
