Quote:
Originally Posted by stemit14
They were discussing on Fan960 today how broken the system of entry level contracts has become because the young guys are getting such huge contracts so early on. It will probably be a sticking point for the next CBA.
I wonder if the NHL will look to increase the length of entry-level contracts to 5 years. The players could counter with wanting higher maximum salaries for the entry level deals and/or higher bonuses if these contracts are longer.
It would be a way for teams to cost-control players for longer. Careers are getting shorter in the NHL it seems as it’s becoming harder for lots of guys over the age of 30 to get a contract. The owners will want to extend the cost control of their draft picks into their 5th year. Plus, players by that age will have hopefully developed into what they should be for the rest of their career (usually)... top six forward, bottom six forward, top pairing defenseman, etc.
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I think the way it is right now is the way it should be. Sure teams are paying a lot on ELC's but they are also getting security of holding on to the player for their prime years. The real problem is that NHL GM's can't get UFA spending under control as teams aren't getting in cap trouble because of ELC's, they are getting into cap trouble because of bad UFA contracts. I think that what they should really do is reduce the amount of years a UFA can get to 5 years from seven as a starting point. No team really wants to give a 30 year old player a 7 year deal but they have to if they want that player because if they don't another dummy desperate to keep his job will. Reduce it to 5 years and teams will be saved from themselves and guys like Hossa and Zetterberg can have dignified retirements rather than having to retire to questionable circumstances.