The Sabres signed goalie Ryan Miller to a five-year contract extension today, which is a pretty significant deal for the Canes.
Last summer, they gave Cam Ward the exact same three-year contract that the Sabres gave Miller in the summer of 2006-07: $2 million, $2.5 million, $3.5 million.
Now, Miller has signed for five more years at an average of $6.25 million starting in 2009-10. That sets the market for what Ward could make starting when his current deal expires after the 2009-10 season.
Carolina's other big contract issue is Eric Staal, and one comparable would be Jason Spezza, who came into the league a year earlier in 2002-03. Spezza signed a seven-year, $49 million extension in November 2007, which is the neighborhood you have to figure Staal will be in once the Canes are done negotiating with him. His contract, which pays him $5 million this season and has a cap hit of $4.5 million, expires in June.
Luke has worked for The N&O since 2000. He covered the Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL before becoming a sports columnist in August 2008. A native of Evanston, Ill., he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He can be reached at 829-8947 or 
Comments
Ward & Staal
Mon, 07/21/2008 - 14:06 — AllenHIf Cam expects that kind of money..., well he's got two seasons to prove he deserves it. I hope he does but so far he's been good but not consistent. We'll see.
Yep, Staal is gonna be looking at something on the order of $7 Mil per. Is anybody actually worth that? But unless he falls thru the floor he's likely gonna get it, from us or somebody else.
A little perspective...
Mon, 07/21/2008 - 13:17 — Anonymous (not verified)I'm not one to say Cam doesn't have his inconsistencies and soft goals but I guess I'm not seeing how Miller is so much better based on last year's stats (see link below). I know we had a better team but I think we're just giving Miller more credit since we don't see him on an everyday basis. From looking at their career stats, Cam's GAA is a good bit higher and his save % is about .1 lower but their career win % (I did it as wins/total decisions) is 55.5% vs 57.1%. Slightly better for Miller but he has no Cup and is 3.5 years older. Cam is still young and T-4th in wins last year...not always in style, but our defense is terrible so his other numbers are as pretty. He's gone for 14, 30, and 37 wins in his 3 NHL seasons. Not a bad progression, let's give him a chance this year before we pile on the guy too much! http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/statistics?stat=nhlgoalies&sort=w&season=2008&seasontype=2
Wardo
Sun, 07/20/2008 - 07:12 — FLA Caniac (not verified)Like all of us, Cam now knows what Miller just signed for. I believe the poor defense last season was partly responsible for Cams also poor numbers. It is now up to him to show/prove that he is a #1 and that last season was just a bump in the road. If not it looks like the Canes will be looking at the 2009 draft in Montreal for a goalie and start the search for a #1 all over again. Also,lets hope that Michael L. puts some needed pushing to perform on him as well. Either way I'm pulling for Cam to shine and to bring the Canes back to the playoffs...STAY COOL Caniacs...
Cam's current contract is
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 16:25 — Anonymous (not verified)Cam's current contract is VERY generous considering what he's done (or what he hasn't done) since becoming our starting goalie. I'm worried enough as it is that we have him making starter $ for the next 2 seasons while never having proven he can handle being a #1 in this league. His next contract is the very last thing we need to be worrying about right now.
+I agree with you
Sun, 07/20/2008 - 08:56 — Anonymous (not verified)+I agree with you completely.
One key difference
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 12:36 — Anonymous (not verified)Buffalo is not able to keep top-notch talent and now have to mortgage the future on stellar goaltending. NHL talent are much more willing to sign or stay in Carolina at a discount.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 11:55 — Christian (not verified)Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Ryan Miller have better numbers and is an all around better goalie than Cam Ward? I'd be cautious giving so much money to such an inconsistent goaltender like Cam Ward who is still riding on the coat-tails of his Con Smythe. Some would argue the defense is the reason for his less than average numbers, so, this year, with the upgraded defense, will truly be the test. And I believe you mean a seven-year, $7 million per year extension, which would technically be a seven-year, $49 million extension. I doubt Spezza or Staal would play for only $1 million per year.
spezza contract
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 16:43 — ldecock (author)fixed
Either way, I'd guess Staal falls squarely in the 7/49 category.
future
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 10:56 — ecupirate07 (not verified)either the Canes need to start making the playoffs or increase their orginzational depth if they want to be able to afford this teams core. If not this team will really start to struggle to compete.
Comparable Stats
Sat, 07/19/2008 - 10:23 — Brian (not verified)When Ward puts up the stats and seasons that Miller has, then we can pay him what Miller makes. This isn't to say that Ward can't do it, and it isn't to take anything away from what he did in the playoffs. If Ward wants 6.25 million a year then he needs to be doing the same things (i.e. up the save percentage, be in top form more nights, when a game by himself once in a while) that Miller does for Buffalo.
My hope is that after this season were saying Ward is way better than Miller.
Until Ward can show a little
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 21:04 — Anonymous (not verified)Until Ward can show a little consistancy like Miller I'd say he's hardly comparable to him. He may be older but you get paid for what you do on the ice and Miller is a much better goalie at this point in time.
The NHL teams need to watch
Fri, 07/18/2008 - 20:16 — Anonymous (not verified)The NHL teams need to watch the enormous salaries that they are paying. With the salary caps they're going to paint themselves into a corner. Even with the salary caps, will the escalating salaries hinder ticket sales. As much as I like live hockey, the increased ticket prices will force me to watch it on the tube.