[News] Smid out for 16/17 Season - No Decision to Retire

[Locke]

Smid is a damned warrior, I'm super pumped to hear this news. I'm actually really happy for him.

Not just because he saves the Flames some cap issues, thats a nice bonus, not even because the guy still gets paid, but I just didnt want to see him make a bad call, try and keep playing and wind up getting seriously hurt.

This is a tough call to make.

It should be noted though that this is the direct result of the Edmonton Oilers' impressively shoddy medical staff.

What did they do, give him some ice and tell him to walk it off?

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Few more notes from Treliving. Says Smid hasn’t made a decision re: retirement. Says team might have some scouting duties for him. #Flames

Well if he is still collecting a pay cheque, might as well put him to work.

[handgroen]

Maybe a bit naive but can someone break down the cap savings for the flames?
is it just as simple as his salary gets paid in real dollars but the total sum comes off the cap

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by handgroen

Maybe a bit naive but can someone break down the cap savings for the flames?
is it just as simple as his salary gets paid in real dollars but the total sum comes off the cap

Smid's contract still counts against the cap. What LTIR does is ensures that the Flames are able to exceed the cap for this season by the same amount as his cap hit while he is on LTIR.

[sureLoss]

If Smid retires his cap hit disappears from the Flames and he doesn't get paid

If Smid doesn't retire his cap hit stays and he gets paid.

If Smid doesn't retire and he gets put on LTIR, the Flames will be allowed to exceed the salary cap by Smid's cap hit. This is however not as good as cap space as it doesn't get pro rated as the season progresses. In Smid's case he has a cap hit of 3.5 million, so the Flames could exceed the 16/17 cap by 3.5 million once he is put on LTIR.

In contrast if Smid were to retire and the Flames didn't use that aditional cap space through the season, they could potentially take on ~14 million at the trade deadline

[Bingo]

You guys have it right.

He stays on the cap, and the Flames must make the season opening freeze cap with him on the list, but then they can replace him by going over the cap by his contract amount.

I think if Russell is the replacement, they can't sign him until the season opening roster is set (not sure what date that is).

[Young_Guns]

Of course he won't retire as that would mean he doesn't get paid. Same reason Pronger and Savard haven't retired. His career is done, feel bad for the guy though.

[btimbit]

Damn, kind of wanted to see him play. Solid bottom pairing guy

[handgroen]

woohoo! here comes russell

[Otto-matic]

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland 46s47 seconds ago
Just talked to Smid. His fitness is top-notch but it's the potential of contact and further injuring his neck that is worrying docs.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You guys have it right.

He stays on the cap, and the Flames must make the season opening freeze cap with him on the list, but then they can replace him by going over the cap by his contract amount.

I think if Russell is the replacement, they can't sign him until the season opening roster is set (not sure what date that is).

This explanation certainly does seem to make a Russell signing look a whole lot more likely.

Blind speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Flames and Russell have had a deal worked out for a while, but were waiting for Smid's situation to resolve itself first.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland 46s47 seconds ago
Just talked to Smid. His fitness is top-notch but it's the potential of contact and further injuring his neck that is worrying docs.

No surprise after the limited contact he took in the previous seasons ended so badly for him.

I was honestly shocked he wasn't shut down for good last year.

[Young_Guns]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

This explanation certainly does seem to make a Russell signing look a whole lot more likely.

Blind speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Flames and Russell have had a deal worked out for a while, but were waiting for Smid's situation to resolve itself first.

What happens with guys like Wotherspoon then? Shouldn't we let him play now?

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You guys have it right.

He stays on the cap, and the Flames must make the season opening freeze cap with him on the list, but then they can replace him by going over the cap by his contract amount.

I think if Russell is the replacement, they can't sign him until the season opening roster is set (not sure what date that is).

Is there a time lag where you have to be cap compliant and when you can put guys on LTIR. I thought you were allowed to exceed the cap by 10%, but on a specified day, your team needs to be cap compliant or you will have overage penalties the following year.

[cannon7]

A healthy Smid is an asset, but at this point he should retire when his contract is up.

[Gaudreauvertime]

Yes!!

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

If Smid doesn't retire his cap hit stays and he gets paid.

If Smid doesn't retire and he gets put on LTIR, the Flames will be allowed to exceed the salary cap by Smid's cap hit. This is however not as good as cap space as it doesn't get pro rated as the season progresses. In Smid's case he has a cap hit of 3.5 million, so the Flames could exceed the 16/17 cap by 3.5 million once he is put on LTIR.

Keep in mind that $3.5M is the best case scenario if everything works out perfectly. To get $3.5M in relief the Flames would have to be right at the upper limit when they place Smid on LTIR. If they're $500K below it, then they only get $3M in relief. If they're $1M below they only get $2.5M in relief. Teams can usually get pretty close by shuttling guys up and down from the AHL to get as close to the cap as possible, but that's not always enough to get there.

[killer_carlson]

I have a lot of time for Smid. He's put in an honest effort here.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Gaudreauvertime

Yes!!

Did you seriously just say "yes!" after hearing a player is still seriously injured and career might be over?

[bubbsy]

Unfortunate, guy played the game the right way, with the tools he was given. However, better to leave it this way, then being stretchered off given the area of the injury.