Quote:
Originally Posted by getbak
It won't become that common because these types of bonuses can only be given to players who are over 35 who sign a one-year contract, or under-35 veteran players coming off a major injury who sign a one-year contract. That greatly limits the number of these deals that can be given out.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen
I never said it was. However, there was also no solid rule against what the Devils did. Unless you were in the room when the deal was signed and saw them shake hands agreeing that Kovalchuk would retire before it occurred you can not point to any section of the CBA saying a rule was broken with Kovalchuk's contract outside of the very vague "intentions of the CBA."
The bonus cushion wasn't intended to defer payment of 35+ contracts, it was to provide some insurance that a team could still spend to the cap without having to make room for a player like Knight winning the Hart Trophy. Giving a player an easily attained 10 game bonus of 4M is no different than giving him 4M salary.
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From what getbak says it seems it is for over 35's and 1 year contracts as well to allow teams to bring in a veteran for one year but pay the cap hit the following year.
Doesn't matter in the end there is no circumvention since the cap hit is there at some point. Unlike Kovalchuck's where the chance of him playing into what was it 43-44 was not high and according to the rules the cap wouldn't count. If they made the cap count then go for it. You are basically sacrificing your future team for your current team.