Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

he wasnt expected to come back to Van City tho.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

Hossa gets a 12-year deal with the Hawks. Those 12 year deals are nuts.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

12 years? Jesus.

The first thing I saw was Ohlund signing for 7 years with Tampa. I knew he wasn't coming back here because Gillis didn't want him, but my heart still sunk a little knowing that he'll be with another team now. He's played his whole career here, damnit!

And I mean, who do we have on defence now? Salo?
I can see the headlines now:

"Salo out for remainder of season with hurt feelings."


PS. That picture is definitely my facebook display now.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

If the NHL has a salary cap, then the 12 year deal is NOT a 12 year deal. Dependng on the salary cap structure, long deals can be used as a means of stretching high value contracts over time.

Example: Lets say the 12 year deal averages 2 mil a year, but it AVERAGES 2 mil a year (24 mil total). The deal may be front loaded for the first 3 years (5 mil a year, and the 9 mil stretched out over the last 9 years, decreasing year to year, with clauses allowing the team to release after a few years.

Meanwhile, if the salary cap works on averages, so the team only gets 2 mil counted against them each year, and not the 5 mil the player is really getting for the first three. This clears room from year to year for the team to work with.

The team gets the player, the player gets the money, and the commitment is minimal.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

Gaborik goes to New York Rangers...God damnit. I was so sure the Canucks were going to sign him.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

Yes, there is a salary cap.
The deal can be loaded whichever way they agree upon. Frontloaded-baclkloaded-average.

The year length means how many seasons that player is under that contract.

If Player A signs for 5 years at 1 million a year, he will make 1 million every year, for 5 years. If he is traded to another team, he still makes 1 million until his 5 years is up.

I think Hossa signed at 63 mil for 12 years. I don't know how the deal was loaded, but nomatter how it is - he is under contract for the entire 12 years. There's no shirking it in the NHL.

Re: CANADA DAY/NHL FREE AGENT FRENZY 09
 

Fukkin have a sweet Canada Day innit ;)

I love this time of year, festivals, Canada day, My birthday, then independance day, it's :cool:

I.O.W Festival - http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=0