The NHL has expanded its investigation into long-term contracts.
League sources say not only is the NHL studying the deals signed by Chicago Blackhawks RW Marian Hossa (12 years, $62.8 million) and Philadelphia Flyers D Chris Pronger (seven years, $34.9 million) last summer), it also wants details on Vancouver Canucks G Roberto Luongo's 12-year, $64-million deal completed in September.
All three deals are structured so that the players receive more money in the first few years and much less at the end. These contracts don't hamper clubs if players retire early - and also lower their annual cap hit by spreading out the money.
Take Luongo's deal. He'll make $10 million next season when the contract kicks in, yet the cap hit for the Canucks is just $5.3 million a season. That's because the $64 million is front-end loaded. Luongo is scheduled to make just $3.618 million - total - over the final three years.
These contracts will be a large part of the discussion during GM meetings tomorrow and Wednesday in Toronto.
The NHL is studying these contracts to see if retirement was discussed as that would circumvent the cap.
If found guilty of circumventing the cap, teams could be fined up to $5 million or lose draft picks.
