Report: NHL investigates contract talks between Hawks, Hossa

[Forkboy]

Marian Hossa, the 30-year-old right wing who signed a 12-year, $62.8 million contract with the Blackhawks on July 1, is not only out for at least four months after having shoulder surgery last Friday, but his contract is now under investigation by the League.

According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the NHL wants to find out if the Hawks and Hossa ever discussed the idea of him retiring before his contract expires, which would be a violation of the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap.

The red flags are up because Hossa's cap hit over the length of his deal is $5.23 million but he will receive a bulk of his $62.8 million up front. If he retires prior to the end of the deal, the cap hit goes away.

Hossa is due an annual salary of $7.9 million for the first seven years of the deal. He'll make $4 million in the eighth year of the deal, but only $3.5 million over the last four years of the contract.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=457975

[inthebrain]

1. There seems to be a lot of funny business with the GMs in the NHL these days

Brian Burke is being investigated for tampering as well.

I think for years folks have suspected that the way these GMs work between the Cup Final the the July 1st UFA period has not been on the up and up.


A few years ago there was suspiscion that Sather may have been talking to Drury during the playoffs about his UFA status (or was that Brierre with Philly?)