Even as Capitals GM George McPhee has been digging into the salary cap weeds like never before, mucking it up in the corners in daily meetings with assistant GM and “capologist” Don Fishman, we’d suspect that he had a bit more spring in his step on Saturday, when it became official that Brian Burke was signed to a new deal to manage the Maple Leafs; a deal that will pay Mr. Burke $3 million through the 2013-14 season.

Wrote Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe last Sunday:

Pay-wise, $3 million a year is the kind of purified air Rangers boss Glen Sather breathes on Broadway and the Devils’ Lou Lamoriello (Burke’s coach at [Providence]) in Newark. It’s also slightly less than 6 percent of the maximum allowed player payroll of $56.7 million. Come ‘13-14, it might be only 3 percent, if not less (provided the salary cap remains the infrastructure of the CBA).

Burke’s haul should be heralded around the league by GMs, many of whom toil in the modest $1.2 million-$1.5 million range (equivalent to third-line grinders). The three most important hires for a hockey team are: 1. the GM; 2. the coach; 3. the goaltender. If those spots are nailed down, then turn on the arena lights, scrape the ice, tap the beer kegs, and collect the money – a playoff spot is a virtual fait accompli.

Any GM who now inches his club into the top third of the overall standings, and displays the ability or potential to keep it there, will be justified to ask for $2 million a year, if not more. For GMs, the Burke take is almost akin to the quantum leap in pay that young studs typically enjoy once their first (entry-level) contracts have expired. It just took the bosses a lot longer than the stick carriers to get there.

All in all, Toronto just delivered a very good payday for the vast majority of the GMs in the Original 30, and one that was long overdue. Not only will a few of them be able to breathe easier now that Burke is under the employ of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, they’ll be able to shop in the same stores and high-end java shoppes as their backup goaltenders.

Which makes us wonder, what would McPhee now be worth in a contract extension?  The afore-mentioned injury situation for the Capitals, in particular, is but the latest example of just what a stupendous job George has done to fill the pantry to bursting with all manners of talent necessary to win in the NHL.  Sure, he had some early lean years at the draft table, and may be a bit of a late-bloomer in that respect, but management-wise, the franchise is now soaring. 

The Capitals organization won’t disclose the status of management contracts, nor coaching contracts.  But with the new Burke contract precedent set, we wonder, whenever it comes time for McPhee to negotiate his own pact, is he now worth elite, top-tier GM money?  Because the next time a “high-profile” franchise has need of a replacement at that position, and is willing to toss around that kind of money to the new guy, that franchise might very well include McPhee on its wish list.

PS:  Pierre LeBrun’s QOTW is “Who is the top GM in the NHL?“  Check back there for his answer tomorrow.