Question about salary cap

[evil204 4]

If a player retires before his contract runs out, does his salary (the average cap hit) still count against the cap, or does it come off the payroll completely? So, for example, if Zetterberg retires with 2 years left on his contract, is the $6 million average salary still counted against the cap for those 2 years even though we're not paying him?

[Echolalia 2,961]

I believe if a player signs a contract after the age of 35, then the salary will count against the cap (Kris Draper falls in this category). If a player signs a contract prior to 35, they can retire without their caphit affecting the team.

[MacK_Attack 108]

I believe if a player signs a contract after the age of 35, then the salary will count against the cap (Kris Draper falls in this category). If a player signs a contract prior to 35, they can retire without their caphit affecting the team.

Yeah, but players over-35 signed to one-year deals can be sent down/retire without counting against the cap.

[Jedi 1,865]

If a player retires before his contract runs out, does his salary (the average cap hit) still count against the cap, or does it come off the payroll completely? So, for example, if Zetterberg retires with 2 years left on his contract, is the $6 million average salary still counted against the cap for those 2 years even though we're not paying him?

In Z's case (and Franzen's as well), no, because the contract took effect before their 35th birthday.

In Pronger's case, for instance, then yes. The contract takes effect after his 35th birthday, and so the remaining years would count against the cap if he retires before the contract is finished.

A multi year deal that takes effect after the player turns 35 will count against the cap if the player retires. If the contract takes effect before the player turns 35, it does not.

[CenterIce 83]

In Z's case (and Franzen's as well), no, because the contract took effect before their 35th birthday.

In Pronger's case, for instance, then yes. The contract takes effect after his 35th birthday, and so the remaining years would count against the cap if he retires before the contract is finished.

A multi year deal that takes effect after the player turns 35 will count against the cap if the player retires. If the contract takes effect before the player turns 35, it does not.

You also have to consider that this is all regarding a CBA that we are in year 5 of 6. A new CBA could change all this.

[MacK_Attack 108]

You also have to consider that this is all regarding a CBA that we are in year 5 of 6. A new CBA could change all this.

But odds are that if there is a change in that rule, it will only change for contracts signed after a new CBA goes into effect.

[Jedi 1,865]

But odds are that if there is a change in that rule, it will only change for contracts signed after a new CBA goes into effect.

Exactly. The current CBA didn't negate all the terms and conditions of the deals used from the previous CBA. There was the 24% rollback of salaries, but that was really the only thing that affected contracts that were signed under the previous CBA.

I doubt that any changes the new CBA brings about would be retroactive to current contracts. That would be handcuffing GM's in a way that would be completely unforeseeable.