Haynes: Smid's future uncertain

[sureLoss]

Looks like Smid not recovered from his injury

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca/2016/...suffering.html

After suffering a season-ending upper body injury Feb. 17 on a first period hit by Minnesota's Jason Zucker, the 30-year-old defenceman is still not better and the CBA does not permit teams to buy out an injured player.

"Same situation," said Brad Treliving on Monday when asked how Smid's status this summer compared to a year ago when his long-term health was also in question after having a second neck surgery.

"It all stems from initial surgery he had on his neck six years ago. That first surgery actually had some hardware placed in there and there was a fusion. The second surgery last year wasn't as intrusive in that he didn't have to get it reconstructed or anything. They just released some pressure. The hardware was still intact but the area, but it needed to calm down," explained Calgary's general manager.

"He then similarly banged it again. He didn't require a surgery this time around but there's obviously a recurring issue and when you're talking about your neck, whether it's going to be ready or not or get cleared or not, those are all things we still don't know."

"I'm going to speak with Smiddy prior to the draft. He's been in touch with our medical guys and we'll see where he's at. He's obviously gone through two years of dealing with some significant stuff. We'll get a sense of where he's at medically both where we see it, where the Doctors see it and where he seems himself. Then we'll get a plan of attack," said Treliving. "But with this one, it's another year where it's recurred. There's obviously something. It becomes a little bit more of a caution sign right now and whether it's going to get back to the point where he's alright."

If the determination is that he is not fit to return to playing hockey, he would presumably be placed on long-term injured reserve, giving the team cap relief of up to $3.5 million should the team payroll be at the upper limit of the 2016-17 team salary cap. For those thirsty for more details on how LTIR works and it's more complicated than you think, the website CapFriendly has an extensive explanation.

[StrykerSteve]

Smiddy, do the right thing for your own personal health and retire. Please don't try to come back. If money's the issue, then just stay on LTIR and enjoy your life.

[Poe969]

The team could buy him out if he agreed to it but couldn't they make some kind of hand shake agreement where he would just retire taking his contract completely off the books and then the team offer him "a job within the organization" where he could still get paid but it wouldn't count against the cap?

[Buff]

Might be time to look at retirement.

Easy for me to say.

[Alberta_Beef]

This is an area in which the NHL and NHLPA have failed both the teams and players IMO. I know LTIR covers this kind of thing but for these long term chronic injuries they should have an injury retirement where they can retire, come off the team's cap and still get all their remaining salary. It causes uncertainty under the cap for the team and IMO probably forces players totry and come back when they shouldn't when a serious injury occurs.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The team could buy him out if he agreed to it but couldn't they make some kind of hand shake agreement where he would just retire taking his contract completely off the books and then the team offer him "a job within the organization" where he could still get paid but it wouldn't count against the cap?

That would be a fantastic way to end up with a multi-million dollar fine and the loss of a first round draft pick.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The team could buy him out if he agreed to it but couldn't they make some kind of hand shake agreement where he would just retire taking his contract completely off the books and then the team offer him "a job within the organization" where he could still get paid but it wouldn't count against the cap?

Offering him a job in exchange for retiring would be cap circumvention per the CBA

However, being able to prove that might be extremely difficult unless there is a paper trail.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The team could buy him out if he agreed to it but couldn't they make some kind of hand shake agreement where he would just retire taking his contract completely off the books and then the team offer him "a job within the organization" where he could still get paid but it wouldn't count against the cap?

I don't see why he would agree to a buyout and forfeit 1/3 of his annual salary, I don't care who you are 1/3 of your salary would hurt anyone especially when it is your final paycheck and the latter certainly is not allowed and would be met with severe penalties if the Flames and Smid got caught.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Offering him a job in exchange for retiring would be cap circumvention per the CBA IIRC

However, being able to prove that would be extremely difficult unless there is a paper trail.

It would be circumstantial evidence but anyone could see $4,000,000 salary for a scout that just retired leaving $4,000,000 on the table was cap circumvention. But I think that would be very solid circumstantial evidence.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I don't see why he would agree to a buyout and forfeit 1/3 of his annual salary, I don't care who you are 1/3 of your salary would hurt anyone especially when it is your final paycheck and the latter certainly is not allowed and would be met with severe penalties if the Flames and Smid got caught.

It is exactly what Drury did.

He had 1 year $7 million left and was injured.

He waived the medical requirement and let the Rangers buy him out.

He is now Director of Player Development for the Rangers... granted hired 4 years after his buyout.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

It would be circumstantial evidence but anyone could see $4,000,000 salary for a scout that just retired leaving $4,000,000 on the table was cap circumvention. But I think that would be very solid circumstantial evidence.

They don't have to pay him $4 million at once, they just need to make him whole over a period of years.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

It is exactly what Drury did.

He had 1 year $7 million left and was injured.

He waived the medical requirement and let the Rangers buy him out.

He is now Director of Player Development for the Rangers... granted hired 4 years after his buyout.

Yeah, but this is a different situation. Smid knows his career will be over, Drury was hoping to recover and sign elsewhere after being bought out. I believe it was in a link you posted where they brought up a rumor that he almost re-signed with Buffalo after the buyout.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

They don't have to pay him $4 million at once, they just need to make him whole over a period of years.

Fair enough, but I think you would still need to give him a good reason to agree to that. That said I think he is the kind of guy that would make a good coach, I'd offer him an assistant coach job with the Hitmen.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Fair enough, but I think you would still need to give him a good reason to agree to that. That said I think he is the kind of guy that would make a good coach, I'd offer him an assistant coach job with the Hitmen.

The Hitmen's hockey ops operates at arms length from the Flames. Any such hiring decision would be made by the junior club.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Hitmen's hockey ops operates at arms length from the Flames. Any such hiring decision would be made by the junior club.

Obviously their hockey ops would have to agree too, but honestly, I don't know why they wouldn't.

[Fire]

No point in buying out Smid and costing the Flames cap space for the next two seasons. Just place him on LTIR for the season.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Yeah, but this is a different situation. Smid knows his career will be over, Drury was hoping to recover and sign elsewhere after being bought out. I believe it was in a link you posted where they brought up a rumor that he almost re-signed with Buffalo after the buyout.

Still he didn't need to be bought out. He gave up millions of dollars in a buyout he didn't need to have done.

Besides wouldn't put it past the Rangers promising him a job some point down the line if he agreed to the buyout because it saved them $3.3 million in cap space.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Still he didn't need to be bought out. He gave up millions of dollars in a buyout he didn't need to have done.

Besides wouldn't put it past the Rangers promising him a job some point down the line if he agreed to the buyout because it saved them $3.3 million in cap space.

I wouldn't put it past them either. I am just saying it is much easier to accept a buyout when you think you will get another contract.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Obviously their hockey ops would have to agree too, but honestly, I don't know why they wouldn't.

Because the Hitmen might have different needs or wants for a coach.

[Locke]

You'd really think the new CBA would have addressed this.

Even if he gets medically cleared the guy has injured his neck fairly severely two years in a row.

When a doctor says "the area needs to calm down" thats typically medi-speak for 'stop getting hit in the neck!'