Hockeynomics 101

The season is still a few weeks out, but with schools getting back in session (and out of shear boredom - seriously summer needs to end and the puck needs to drop), and to honor the frugal inactivity of retired accountant / current GM Greg Sherman & his dedicated band of dullards, I decided to examine just how thriftiness played out last season around the league in terms of cost-effective spending.

Chart Breakdown: First, you have the team's payroll from last season (courtesy capgeek). Next, is the team's payroll spending rank in comparison with the rest of the league, third is the team's final standing at the end of the regular season, and lastly is the differential between their final standing and their final rank in terms of money spent. **All the numbers in these charts reflect only the regular season, not position after playoffs or bonuses, etc.**

As you probably guessed, the Avalanche fared quite nicely in terms of bang-for-the-buck. Sherman flexed his frugality muscle, and the other NW teams cowered accordingly. In fact, EVERY other team in the NW got their asses handed to them by Greg "thrifty" Sherman. Calgary and Vancouver scraped by with minor losses, but Edmonton and the Adjectives tanked big time. And while the Avs out-performed all their NW compatriots, they were not the best in the league by a long shot, (but the Oilers definitely were the worst. Sorry Copper & Blue). Keep reading to unlock the mysteries of the mighty greenback (or loonie's for you readers north of the border).

Winners: The Caps (+17), Devils (+10), Kings (+12), Preds (+18), and Blackhawks (+10) all received plentiful returns on their investments, but the big winners here and the league-owned Coyotes at a whopping +25. Gary Bettman smiles, a puppy dies. The Caps are especially impressive because they finished 1st overall in the standings and STILL managed to snag a quality return on their spending. The Preds spend like they play, conservatively. Smart, but snoozeville.... And lastly, the Pacific division boasts the most financially gifted investors as every team finished higher in the standings in relation to their salary spending ranking.

Losers: Oil (-26), Wild (-10), Canadiens (-9), Maple Leafs (-23), Flyers (-17), and Rangers (-12) all under-performed in the regular season in terms of money spent and the return on that spending, but as both the Flyers and Canadiens showed us; anything can happen once you make it past the regular season, and money is truly earned in, and spent for, the post season. They Rangers are just dumb. No news there.

Next fiscal season forecast: I don't know. This whole topic is ridiculous. But I'd wager that the Oilers look to turn their fiscal performance around for 2010-2011 - not by leaps and bounds, but they'll bleed less. I can't say the same for the woeful Maple Leafs. I can't see them making any great strides. They'll be better in terms of their returns on money spent, but it's still quite messy up north.

Market Analysis: It seems like larger market teams, or teams with die-hard experienced fan bases (original six), are the teams willing to take the biggest financial gambles. Whereas the less tenured, smaller market teams play it more safely. It's kind of a shame there is that disparity, but I think it also creates some exciting Cinderella, and/or David and Goliath story lines, which make sports great.

Financial advice: Bet on the Avs. Always a sound investment.