Yeah, but it's the first time in about two decades since the Sabres actually made money. They are and always will be a small market team, as long as Golisano keeps them in Buffalo
Yea I know. They actually made a small profit in 1999. Golisano won't be moving the Sabres anywhere. He's a rather dedicated western newyorker.
Nah, they can shed salary like they did with Mckee. Even if they did give everyone a raise, wouldn't that extra money be coming from the profits they get the next year? It's not like they have to pay them the total of their contract all on one check...
Also, I would think only players not under contract would be due any raise...ones under contract are just that, under contract for a set price.
Unless you are Alexei Yashin of course...
True, but they also shed some of their best talent doing that. With McKee went record setting blocked shots and veteran defensive talent.
They havn't made the money yet for next year. In order to make as much money as they did this year the team will have to get deep in the playoffs again. Though with their success this year selling tickets should be easier and the prices could potentially be set higher, though that might hurt some boxoffice ticket sales overall. In general Buffalo sells over 90% capacity for most games.
The players under contract arn't to worry about, until a few years down the line when their contract is up and they demand higher salaries. The non-contracted players usually have more experience and demand higher salaries and for a small market team that means the most likely have to get rid of them in order to open up more money for emerging talent. But that is the reality of a small market team, they farm young talent, watch it grow and then when it really matures, they ship it off. Oh well.