Does A Hard Salary Cap Really Matter?

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post, For despite the perception that adoption of the hard cap has created a league-wide utopia of parity, the reality is there have been as many, if not more, chronic ne?er-do-wells in seven years under this system as existed in the NHL?s uncapped world.

Ten of the league?s 30 teams have not so much as won a playoff round in six years of cap tournaments, an increase of three teams when compared to the six seasons immediately leading into the lockout.

What?s more, over the last four playoffs, seven teams have accounted for 78 percent of the playoff series victories as opposed to the final four tournaments preceding the cancelled season during which 11 teams accounted for 76 percent of series victories.

The cap lowered the bar, there is no doubt about that, though organizations such as the Bruins, Red Wings, Canucks, Penguins and Flyers ? all of which have gone about it slightly differently ? have managed to attain a consistent level of excellence even allowing for the obstacles presented by the collective bargaining agreement.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/does_a_hard_salary_cap_really_matter/

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