In the last 20 years, the professional sports world has drastically shifted. Gone are the days of old school lifers of the sport that give scouting reports based on traits and potential, in their place a world of math majors from ivy league schools. Ultimately, the salary cap sports come down to maximizing value as much as possible. Where should the New York Rangers’ space go?
When it comes to doling out contracts, the most important factor to consider is the value over the life of the deal. A team really cannot afford to pay a player based on past performance out of inherent loyalty because of the way the market changes.