Just three of the top nine salary cap teams have made it to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs — the Capitals (first), Flyers (second) and Kings (seventh).
The Western semis feature clubs ranked 22nd, 23rd and 24th under the cap — the Coyotes, Blues and Predators, respectively.
The Sabres (fourth), Flames (fifth) and Maple Leafs (ninth) didn’t make the playoffs.
The Senators’ Little Engine That Almost Did was ranked 26th under the cap.
So we’re waiting to hear someone on Sixth Avenue construct a cogent argument as to why the current collective bargaining agreement needs be amended in further favor of the owners under the guise of giving “everyone a chance to win?”
Yes, it is true the cap charge doesn’t equal payroll, and the franchises that carry the league on their financial backs — such as the Rangers, Canucks and Flyers — can front-load and erase mistakes when other teams cannot, or will not.
But it is a canard that spending ensures success, as Buffalo owner Terry Pegula can attest. It is a myth well managed small-market teams — such as the one in St. Louis run by John Davidson and the one in Nashville directed by David Poile — cannot succeed.
The Ward of the State Coyotes, Blues and Predators have become Exhibits A, B and C for the Players’ Association when the Board puts its hand out for givebacks the league has no legitimate reason to receive.
* A look at the final week or so of the NBA season with myriad teams appearing to tank to gain an advantage in the playoffs, added to the annual farce that occurs in the NFL when teams rest players after clinching playoff spots, only served as yet another contrast to the integrity with which NHL teams conduct their business from Game 1 through 82.
For on the NHL season’s final Thursday, the Devils and Flyers both played to win when losing would have served the best interests of each.
The Devils, who could have locked themselves into the six seed with a defeat, went into Detroit and beat the Red Wings with Martin Brodeur in net.
The Flyers, who could have kept the possibility of sliding to six alive with a defeat to the Sabres, defeated a Buffalo team that needed a victory to stay in the hunt for eighth place.
With all of the criticism heaped on the league, no one can ever question the honor with which its teams and players compete.
And that sets the NHL apart.
* Honestly, with the way the first round was officiated, was anyone on Earth surprised when a series ended on an overtime goal that should have been nullified under Rule 69.1 covering goalkeeper interference?
“If an attacking player enters the goal crease, and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal shall be disallowed,” the rule states.
Guess we missed the part about, “Except when it involves Mike Knuble and Tim Thomas in overtime of Game 7.”
This just in: Brett Hull says the goal was legal.
* Under the NHL’s proposed realignment, the Rangers, Devils, Flyers and Caps all would play in the same conference, meaning two of the four teams that have advanced to the Eastern semis (otherwise known as the Patrick Division Reunion) would necessarily have been eliminated in the first round had they all qualified for the playoffs.
By the way, we’re told two general managers/governors who spoke against the plan when it was presented at the Board meeting cast votes in favor of it under orders from owners getting their marching orders from Gary Bettman.
* Perhaps someone can explain why anyone, let alone seemingly everyone, is in such a hurry to give Brodeur the bum’s rush out of the league, even when the all-time goaltender delivers a 43-save Game 7 victory the way he did against the Panthers on Thursday.
It’s beyond bizarre, this pile-on evaluation of Brodeur, simply because he isn’t exactly the goaltender he was 10 years ago. …
The Rangers are interested in signing undrafted 20-year-old free agent winger Marek Hrivik, who joined the AHL Whale after playing the last three seasons with Moncton of the QMJHL. …
When did “skill” become a pejorative as applied to the playoffs?
* The people who thought it was good timing to unveil the 2013 All Star logo in Columbus on Friday — they’re the same decision-makers who thought it was a good idea to schedule Rangers-Caps Game 1 opposite Knicks-Heat Game 1 yesterday, right?