The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Dear Rich Guys, Congratulations! I just read in The Globe and Mail that you've finally gotten the players to agree to a $34-$36 million salary cap. What a monumental development! For months now, these millionaire athletes have been telling us that the likelihood of a cap was about the same as hockey ratings in the U.S. surpassing those of amateur lawn darts. They've finally come to their senses. As you take baby steps toward finalizing a deal, I just want to again offer you my full support on behalf of the fans. We understand how important it is that you get costs under control. Fans across the league have for years felt the growing gap between the rich and the poor. It's gotten to the point where fans in Edmonton, for instance, are just glad they still have a team, never mind one that can challenge for the top prize. Similar discouragement is felt in places like Pittsburgh, Montreal, Washington and Carolina (okay, okay... if Carolina had any fans). It's true that small market Ottawa has been a contender in recent years, but without a sensible cap system, their talent will scatter across Dallas, New York, Detroit and Colorado faster than you can say "salary dump." Granted, lavish spending isn't always the key to success. We've all had a jolly old time chuckling as the Rich Uncle Pennybags of the league, the New York Rangers, repeatedly fail. But even without markers in the win column, the Rangers have done immense damage to their 29 partners by upping the salary scale for the Bobby Holiks and the Darius Kasparaitises of the world. Which reminds me. Don't think for a second that the mess you must now clean up is entirely the players' doing. Martin Lapointe didn't sign that contract paying him 14 times more than the President of the United States by himself. When Marty made such an outrageous demand, you didn't use John McEnroe's favourite line of "You cannot be serious!" Instead, you caved in. "Sure, Mr. Lapointe. You average 16 goals a season, but who's counting? Here's your money, sir. Spend it wisely." It is now your responsibility to straighten things out. You've taken the biggest step to that end by pushing through your salary cap. If other measures are required to level the playing field, now's the time to do it. The fans are counting on you. Sincerely, Jonathon Naylor
