Cap Space Under Caps' Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas, Caps Fans!  (And Happy Hanukkah to you, too!)

Caps GM George McPhee just found about $5 million bucks under his Christmas stocking.  The Caps finally found a taker for Michael Nylander's ginormous contract, and it wasn't the KHL like just about everybody thought it would be.

Enjoy Grand Rapids, Nyles! 

The team loaned him to Detroit's AHL affiliate.  They're on the hook for his entire salary, but what's important to the team isn't the millions coming out of Ted's wallet, but the millions in imaginary salary cap space that suddenly appeared.

The Caps were bumped up right against the league's salary cap.  With Nyles' contract off the roster, the team now has some breathing room, and is free to make moves.

Defenseman Karl Azner was called up, where before it was too hard to squeeze his salary on the roster.  And now there's some cash in reserve in case injury pops up and the Caps need to go out and rent a skater at the deadline. 

Some, too, would argue that the Caps can now get a goon on skates to keep some of the cheapshots the Caps have faced to a minimum.

Whatever direction the team decides to go, the key take-away is that they're finally free to do what they need to.  With Nylander's bloated, non-skating contract off the roster, the Caps' options aren't limited any more.

So cheers to Nyles.  For whatever his faults as a player, you have to admire how quietly and professionally he handled this situation.  He didn't complain to the press.  He didn't raise a stink.  And he voluntarily waived his no-movement deal to go to Grand Rapids in winter.

If the Caps go on to win anything this spring, Nyles' generous off-ice contributions could be a key part.  Contemplate that one for a bit!