Johan Franzen signs extension, 11 years

[FLWINGSFAN4013 5]

its not cheating. if the isles can sign rick dipietro to 10+ yrs then why can't we sign players to long contracts as well

[C-TownWing 0]

its not cheating. if the isles can sign rick dipietro to 10+ yrs then why can't we sign players to long contracts as well

That's really the argument you want to go with there? All of a sudden, I feel less good about this.

[egroen 384]

It makes players at that 30 year age a lot more valuable because you can sign them to contracts like this.

No chance in hell you'd be able to sign an early 20s star player to a decreasing salary, as they would never go for it.

It is completely unfair, because this loophole favors a franchise like Detroit more so than any other team.

1) As the oldest team in the league, these decreasing contracts can be applied to more of Detroit's players

2) Detroit is a high revenue team and Ilitch is an owner not afraid to spend the cash to front load these contracts, whereas lower revenue teams would not be able to do so

3) Detroit is a winning destination sought out by free agents, and is far more likely to find players willing to sign at a discount

This will be stricken from the CBA, but god bless Holland for milking it for all its worth until then!

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I can safely guess that nobody in Red Wings brass expects neither Zetterberg or Franzen to play more that 7-8 yrs at maxinum.

during that time both get their full paychecks but at the same time cap hits are considerably lower.

Discount comes from the possibility that both players due to retireing leave 4 or 5 years money (not big anymore, but still) on the table: THAT is this much argued discount.

Retirement at "appropriate" time may be a sort of gentlemens deal between the organization and players.

So Z will retire when he's 35? Franzen when he's 36?

[hokike 1]

So Z will retire when he's 35? Franzen when he's 36?

why not? Resign and after a year announce a comeback....

Yeah, I know all it sounds "dirty tricks" but IMO it is not dirtier than "buying championships" during precap era...

Edited April 13, 2009 by hokike