Apparently Sandis Ozolinch didn't get the NHLPA memo about trying to keep his salary near the level of his old contract. With the changes to both the Ducks front office and the NHL's rulebook, Ozolinch looks to be a much more valuable player tomorrow than he was yesterday.
So, if that's the case why is TSN reporting that he signed for nearly half of what he would have made under his old contract of $5.5 million? If he signed a 2 year deal at $2.8 to $3.0 million that's still more than a full million less than what his old contract was worth after the 24% rollback.
This is the beginning of setting the prices in the marketplace (obviously). If Ozolinch is only worth $2.8 million in today's NHL then there's no way that Scott Neidermeyer is worth the $7.8 million he's reportedly asking for.
Frankly, I think this is a solid move by Brian Burke, especially in light of this report that Vancouver is dangling Mattias Ohlund as part of a package to land the #2 spot in tomorrow's draft.
Now, the Ducks' blueline is very interesting: Carney, Ozolinch, Vishnevsky, Salei, Skoula and possibly Ohlund. Very solid, very mobile. Good puck sense and great passing.
They'll be entertaining... and dangerous. Of course, they'll be on the books for over $25 million with 11 players signed.
Ta,
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