Conroy got paid for the same reason Toews and Kane would get paid if there is a lockout in 2021. The lockout didn't officially start until September 16, 2004 so anyone who was owed a signing bonus that season received it before the lockout took place.
I believe Conroy would have re-signed in Calgary but Sutter refused to sign any new contracts until there was a new CBA. You can't really blame him for taking the guaranteed money in LA.
|