| And this summer just got a little more interesting |
 |
 |
| Written by Chris Block | |
| Thursday, 30 July 2009 22:57 | |
|
Hossa contract under NHL investigation Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly: “We’re trying to understand how it was negotiated and whether the intent and effect is to circumvent the cap.” Jeez Bill. Ya think? "This was the first of the long-term contracts that took a player out past the age 40 and the value of the contract in its ‘out years’ was dramatically lower than its early years. “We want to know if the possibility of player retirement was ever discussed or even contemplated.” A maximum fine of $5 million and loss of draft picks could be awaiting the Blackhawks should the NHL investigation prove the Blackhawks discussed the possibility of Hossa retiring before the end of the 12-year contract. The Blackhawks are not at risk of losing the player, but depending on which, and how many, draft picks the team would potentially lose, the long-term effects could be just as devastating. In his welcoming press conference at the United Center on July 16, Hossa chuckled when asked if he planned to play until he turned 42, the age Hossa will be at the end of his 12 year contract. Don't expect much to come out of this now. But you can bet the league will dig their heels and make this a focal point of CBA negotiations in the summer of 2012. And the Blackhawks should make the most of Hossa's arithmetic mean while they can, because in the next collective bargaining agreement anticipate the player's yearly salary to be the number counted against the cap. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites      
|
