Quirk in CBA could make life difficult for NHL clubs

[MacK_Attack 108]

From Bob McKenzie:

Don't look now, but the rules on signing some unrestricted free agents and the accounting principles associated with the salary cap have changed significantly for the coming season and it could make life a lot more difficult for some teams, as in not having as much salary cap room as they perhaps first thought.

For the purposes of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 2008-09 season is considered the fourth and "final" year of the contract with the NHL Players' Association. That's because the NHLPA has a "re-opener" which would allow it to terminate the existing CBA as long as the PA provides notice to that effect 120 days before Sept. 15, 2009. If the NHLPA doesn't exercise its "re-opener" the contract would be extended for another two years after this season.

Basically, the performance bonus "cushion" allows teams to exceed the salary cap number if it's on earned performance bonuses and defer it against the next year's salary cap. Now, this season, that cannot happen.

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[uk_redwing 495]

Cba (aka cant be arsed) often makes life difficult.

[betterREDthandead 58]

Probably a smart provision. Otherwise a team could, say, offer Mats Sundin half a million dollars.....but a performance bonus of 7 million if he meets his performance goal of picking up one assist. Wink wink.

And I can't believe it's already been three years since the lockout. I hope the PA decides to keep the deal. It's too soon for more labor wars.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

I don't know, I have a funny feeling that we will be in another strike after next season, because it seems like alot of players are deciding to go over seas to play. They are making more money over there, that is why I hate the CBA and the damn wellfare checks! I personally think that next year there will be a ton of UFA and possibly RFA's going over seas and making big big money!I seriously hope I'm wrong!!

[betterREDthandead 58]

I don't know, I have a funny feeling that we will be in another strike after next season, because it seems like alot of players are deciding to go over seas to play. They are making more money over there, that is why I hate the CBA and the damn wellfare checks! I personally think that next year there will be a ton of UFA and possibly RFA's going over seas and making big big money!I seriously hope I'm wrong!!

Oh, really? Who's gone overseas?

I can't think of a single player who went overseas to play that had even a good chance of making an NHL roster.

[Donaldjr2448 43]

Oh, really? Who's gone overseas?

I can't think of a single player who went overseas to play that had even a good chance of making an NHL roster.

I personally think that the players that are on NHL rosters are seeing guys that would not have been on NHL roster making more money overseas than they are here in the NHL, that scares me a bit! That is what I was trying to say, sorry for the confusion!!

[Jedi 1,865]

Oh, really? Who's gone overseas?

I can't think of a single player who went overseas to play that had even a good chance of making an NHL roster.

Yashin went to the RSL after being bought out by NYI. Though, there are rumors swirling that he might be back this upcoming season...

[MacK_Attack 108]

The only players making more money overseas than they would make in the NHL are rookies bound to entry-level deals.

[betterREDthandead 58]

The only players making more money overseas than they would make in the NHL are rookies bound to entry-level deals.

Not to mention, you'll notice that Malkin seems to have been offered a contract to make him possibly the richest hockey player ever, AND a chance to go home, and turned it down.

I'm not really worried about overseas leagues (i.e. Russia) taking all our players.