Niagara Falls Thunder Brace For Uncertain But Promising Future
Niagara Falls (CP) - The roller coaster season for the Niagara Falls Thunder has been one of great disappointment, yet satisfying rewards. While the Thunder have underachieved on the ice, they have overachieved off of it.
The Thunder, for years harnessed by financial struggles, has made tremendous strides in the money game this season, and it will only bolster the stability and flexibility of the franchise in the future. Often with the "future is now" mentality, the Thunder's bankroll continuously took a hit. The hit got to the rock bottom point...again. "We were saddled with so much financial burden due to many poor contracts, and big contracts, that it was tough to see any future beyond the current season," GM Nicol expressed. "Any planning was incredibly difficult. If the team was playing well on the ice, the concern was lessened, and we could count on big bonus and playoff revenue. But when the team was playing poorly, it really drew a grim picture for us," said GM Nicol.
The Thunder lost roughly $5M dollars last season in overall revenue. They lost $12M the season before. They were barely at $25M cash reserves. They were in serious trouble. The $20M league loan was implemented and granted last season to give them some kind of cash flow/wiggle room again ($40-$45M). However, the payback on the loan was coming for this season, and the next 2 seasons to come, as well as several large pay increases to roster players. Not to mention the heavy raises the season before to several key players. "We got caught in the 'having too many players who got good' in the NHL at the same time; got so good that they got big raises/contracts from their NHL teams, and those contracts reflected right over to us," GM Nicol said.
"So basically we got to the point where we had to part with some key star players who made a lot of salary," Nicol said. "We also had to shed payroll of some bad contracts, and to do that we had to find trade partners with low payroll willing to take on the said contracts while offering them prospects and picks for their trouble, which is frustrating but necessary to achieve the end goal," GM Nicol said.
Payroll wise, the Thunder currently are at their lowest level in several seasons. At roughly $68M spread out over 28 full-time roster players, 3 "M" rookies, and 2 reserve players, this is as lean as it gets to secure 33 players while maintaining a competitive and somewhat effective team on the ice. At times, the roster was down to 25-26 full-time players but GM Nicol felt the need for some added depth in goal, as well as on the blueline with the additions of Reto Berra, Richard Bachman, and this week at the player add/drop deadline, Jason Garrison. "We waited on Garry (Garrison) till the final hour, to allow us that financial flexibility due to his $2.5M contract," GM Nicol said. "He was a guy we know will be back in the NHL this season as well (from what we are told, with a new team). If for whatever reason he stays down in the minors, he will be a nice reserve contract for us next season, so very little investment in a proven reliable NHL d-man," GM Nicol stated.
Back to the overall payroll, last season the Thunder finished with a $112M burden for its roster. The season before, not much better at $108M. To cut $44M from the end of last season was a very involved and strategic process for GM Nicol. The major part of the process was finally cutting ties and saying goodbye to longtime captain and Thunder player, Jonathan Toews. "It was difficult, to say the least," GM Nicol said. "He was a huge part of our team in every facet you can think of. We drafted him as an 18 yr. old, we signed him and re-signed him and made him our captain. He only played for us all these years (a very rare thing in the CCHL)," GM Nicol replied. However, at an annual salary level of $13.8M over 4 years, it was roughly $55M owing that the Thunder could not justify anymore. "He was struggling on the ice, pointwise, production. It finally convinced me, it was time for Captain Serious to move on and continue his great career somewhere else," GM Nicol said. Enter, the Hamilton Tigers. Enjoying their most productive season in their CCHL history, they needed that one-star player to put them over the top. A trade was worked out that worked for both teams, and instantly was a financial win for the Thunder. Not to mention, the Thunder found trades/agreements to rid of Dan Girardi ($7.5M), Trevor Daley ($7.2M), Rick Nash ($8.85M), Pekka Rinne ($7.7M), Brandon Sutter ($3.3M), and Bobby Ryan ($7M)
With all this inclusive, as the team stands now, they are set to MAKE $7.4M this season, in upfront monies. This even includes the $4M the team had to pay off of the league loan and does not include the bonus and playoff revenues to come, which are expected to be $1.5M to $4.5M (playoffs), and $1M to $3M mil (bonuses). All total, the team is expected to make between $10-$11M this season. A HUGE reward and accomplishment to say the least. Considering only 6 other teams (possibly 3-4 more teams after playoff/bonus revenue) out of 21 in the CCHL are expected to declare a profit, this is even a greater goal reached. "We fought hard to make this financial structure work, and we feel we accomplished our goal 100%," GM Nicol said. "It was a struggle let me tell you again, and we had to grind some teams in trade talks to get either some cash back or for them to take a player from us to make a deal work. Not something I liked to do, but other GM's understood, and that's the great thing about this league. A GM does a favor for you and you remember and return that favor in the future when they are in need. It's the price of doing business with loyal people." GM Nicol stated.
ON THE ICE YOU ASK? The team has all season wallowed in mediocrity. Forever .500, and trying to stay there, has been quite a marginal goal for the Thunder. It's something they did not expect, however, early on and all season long, the struggle in goal was a major part of it. "We had to part with Pekka. We didn't want too, but given his huge contract and UFA status, it was the right time to deal him. Especially with him getting off to a good start in the NHL. The timing was there." GM Nicol said. Of course, it left the team with a huge goaltending issue as Petr Mrazek simply did not progress like first thought. Desperation surely set in when the team reached out for veteran goalie Roberto Luongo for stability for the "now". Luongo has been pretty good so far for the Thunder after being a healthy scratch for Springfield for over half the season. "We knew he was rested and unused, so figured he comes to start for us and gives us 25-30 games for sure, and is fresh. It also gives us a goalie for the playoffs to give us some shot if nothing else," GM Nicol said. And with no clear UFA re-sign in sight, the Thunder have not ruled out re-signing "LU" to a new contract considering he makes just under $1.5M, which is VERY modest for a starting NHL goalie. "To get him signed for $1.6/$1.7M for another season or two, I mean that makes sense, considering how well he has been in the NHL this year for Florida. The numbers are there. However, with his serious injury, that may hamper him from being a viable option. "We are keeping an eye on it and are hoping he gets back in between the pipes for the Panthers ASAP and stays healthy the rest of the way, while keeping up his numbers. And then it's a slam dunk easy decision to keep him around while we groom a younger goalie or two here." GM Nicol said.
You want more ON THE ICE talk? You'll have to wait until PART II of this candid interview with GM Nicol. Part II has some juicy details on Rick Nash's not so friendly departure, as well as Shane Doan's meltdown which led to his ticket out of town. And of course, everyone's question on how Anthony DeAngelo won not only a full-time roster spot but a top D pairing spot this season. Also, DeAngelo's incredible offensive production. Who knew? GM Nicol said that he was the only one who did!
STAY TUNED!
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