[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

When did they bring in unrestricted free agency? I thought the age at the time of the Gilmour fiasco was 31, but I could easily be wrong.

At any rate, there are definitely 2 sides to the story. It wasn't uncommon in those days for owners to do come up with creative ways to underpay players by promising them future rewards (i.e., sign for a discount now, and we'll give you a bigger contract next time, or a "special services" contract after you retire, or Little Caesars shares... ect...). The NHL has done their best to stamp these out now, but I am sure it still happens on the down-low in some franchises.

IIRC, Gilmour was given a handshake deal from the former GM that the new GM did not want to honour. Tough beans for Gilmour, but not an excuse to walk out on his teammates. It was the decision he made at the time.

Having said that, players were generally underpaid back then and it's water under the bridge now.

I believe UFA as we know it now was brought in following the lockout in 1995.