League looking into Hossa, Pronger contracts
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
The NHL is looking into both the Marian Hossa and Chris Pronger contracts to see if their respective teams have tried to circumvent the salary cap. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun had this today on Hossa’s contract:
The NHL is investigating whether Marian Hossa’s new 12-year, $62.8-million (all terms US) contract with the Blackhawks circumvents the collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap, Sun Media has learned.
The ’Hawks could be facing a maximum fine of $5 million and the loss of draft picks if the league’s investigation uncovers proof of allegations that Chicago discussed the possibility of Hossa retiring before the end of the deal, which would end Hossa’s cap hit.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the investigation in an e-mail yesterday, stating that league officials are concerned with the structure of the contract.
What it boils down to is Hossa’s cap hit over the 12 years is $5.23 million a season, but for the first seven years, he’ll make $7.9 million a season before dropping to $4 million in 2016-17.
It’s the final four years of the deal that have the NHL up in arms as Hossa is scheduled to earn $3.5 million, period.
If Hossa were to retire after the eighth season, the $5.23-million cap hit would disappear, too.
Meanwhile, Craig Custance of the Sporting News reports that the league is also looking into Pronger’s deal with the Flyers:
Marian Hossa’ contract isn’t the only one being scrutinized by the NHL. An NHL source told SportingNews.com that the league is investigating Philadelphia’s 7-year deal with Chris Pronger to see if it circumvented the CBA and salary cap.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the investigation of Pronger’s contract in an e-mail to SportingNews.com.
Daly said Pronger’s contract was being investigated for the same reasons as Hossa’s deal.
I had thought that, even after a guy retired, that the salary cap hit from an existing contract would continue until the term of the contract ended. That’s the way it should work. So, if Hossa retires after 7 years with 5 years left on the deal, the Blackhawks should be required to take a cap hit of $5.23 million in each of the final 5 years of the deal. That would end these irresponsibly long terms once and for all. Why did the CBA get ratified without such a provision? That makes no sense. The door was left wide open for something like this. Typical NHL buffoonery, if that’s the case.