It is important to realize how these crazy long front loaded deals were negotiated back when they were allowed.
The team would give the money the player wanted then tacked on low salary years to reduce the Average Annual Value of the contract.
Why did they add on low salary years? Because that is when the player planned on retiring anyways and would be more inclined to retire because they weren't leaving a lot of money on the table.
It is highly suspicious that this medical condition comes up in the same year when the contract suggests Hossa was going to retire.
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