Cap Space

The Flyers waived Turner Stevenson yesterday as they attempted to clear more salary-cap space heading into today's 3 p.m. trade deadline. The waiving of the right winger, who will turn 34 in May, will likely add roughly $262,000 in space to the $2 million the Flyers have now that Keith Primeau's salary is no longer included. If Stevenson is claimed, his entire salary of nearly $1.26 million will be erased under the cap, but that is not likely given his injuries this season and the remainder of his contract.

As an athlete trained to plow through adversity, Keith Primeau refused to accept what just about everyone else involved with the Flyers knew for weeks - that his season had been ended by his latest concussion. The 34-year-old center and consummate team captain had been told by a wave of physicians that they would not clear him to return because the next blow to his head could affect him for the rest of his life. Even when Derian Hatcher was named to replace him as captain on Jan. 29, a clear signal that he was through for the season, Primeau kept hoping against hope.

The Colorado Avalanche, which lost Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote to free agency this past offseason, declined to pick up next season's options for Joe Sakic and Rob Blake, the Denver Post reported. The move is meant to free up cap space and could make each player an unrestricted free agent. Both signed 5-year deals with the Avalanche in 2001 with a team option for a sixth season. The Post reported that the Avs will save roughly $700,000 in cap space for this season by declining the option; team payroll numbers are based on combined averages of a player's length of contract.

The Tampa Buccaneers cleared room under the salary cap Friday by restructuring the contract of all-pro defensive end Simeon Rice, then used the space to re-sign linebacker Shelton Quarles and add offensive lineman Jason Whittle. ESPN.com reported that Rice, who had 15 1/2 sacks last season, agreed to a five-year, $41 million proposal that includes an initial signing bonus and spring 2004 option bonus that total $20 million. Rice will earn about $600,000 in base pay next season.

Defensive end Michael Strahan, who set the NFL's single-season sack record last season, agreed to a seven-year, $46 million contract yesterday that will allow him to end his career with the New York Giants. The deal came three days before the Giants' season opener against San Francisco and six months after an angry Strahan declared that this would be his final season with the team after a proposed $56 million deal fell apart. Strahan, 30, will receive a $6.4 million signing bonus.

A significant date for NFL salary capologists passed yesterday with no news from the Eagles. It is not clear what that means for Jeremiah Trotter or several other players. In previous years, the deadline for counting money against the current year's salary cap has spurred the team to sign players to contract extensions. Club president Joe Banner has used the rule to extend deals while creating cap space for future seasons. The lack of activity before this year's deadline does not necessarily mean the Eagles will not re-sign Trotter, the middle linebacker who is in his final year before unrestricted free agency.

If there are teams considering making a pitch to the 76ers for Toni Kukoc, they're going to have to get extremely inventive with salary-cap space. And they're going to have to wait until at least Dec. 15, the first date players with new contracts can be moved. A person familiar with Kukoc's contract revealed that the four-year deal, worth a total of $28.9 million, includes a 15 percent trade kicker. That means any team considering acquiring the 6-11 forward would have to pay him roughly an additional $4.3 million.

If the Charlotte Hornets don't immediately work out a sign-and-trade deal with Miami, Eddie Jones could independently commit to the Heat or the Chicago Bulls "at any time," Jones' attorney said. Jones wants to play for the Heat and is trying to avoid signing for the $2.25 million salary-cap exception. That's the most money Miami can offer Jones in the absence of a sign-and-trade. Chicago is the team with enough cap room to offer Jones a maximum contract without a sign-and-trade.

The 76ers, scanning the NBA's free-agent market, have contacted Mark Bartelstein, the agent for power forward Brian Grant. The 6-9 Grant opted out of the final four years of a seven-year, $56 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, but still could re-sign with the team. Published reports have said the New York Knicks have expressed major interest. Bartelstein confirmed he spoke with Sixers general manager Billy King and coach Larry Brown. Teams have been able to negotiate with free agents since July 1, but cannot consummate deals until Aug. 1. "We've talked to [the Sixers]

If the Eagles really want Kansas City Chiefs guard Dave Szott, it appears it's going to cost them more than just a chunk of their salary-cap space. The Eagles had hoped Szott, like recently signed Brian Mitchell, would become available in the NFL's post-June 1 fire sale as teams scramble to clear salary-cap space to sign their draft picks. But that hasn't happened yet, and Chiefs president Carl Peterson continues to insist it won't. He said if the Eagles, or any other team, want the 32-year-old offensive lineman, they're going to have to trade for him. And he's not talking about a K mart price tag. Peterson is asking for a third-round pick in exchange for his starting left guard.