NHL Teams Offering Young Players Longer, Larger Contracts
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Flyers' Richards Lands 12-Year, $69M
Deal In Only Third Season In NHL |
Money has "proven to be no object in the [NHL’s] capped salary system,” according to Kevin Paul Dupont of the BOSTON GLOBE, who noted the Flyers have signed C Mike Richards to a 12-year, $69M deal. Richards has 100 points in 166 career games (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/16). Red Wings GM Ken Holland indicated that in today’s NHL, “young players are inking long-term deals worth amounts players would never have seen until they approached 30” under the old system. Holland: “Without a doubt (teams are now paying for potential).” Former NHLer and current Red Wings scout Pat Verbeek said, “I liked shorter, two- or three-year contracts at the most because I liked to get myself back out there on the market. It’s a real gamble projecting what a 22-year-old player is going to be five, 10 years from now” (WINDSOR STAR, 12/16). In Calgary, Bruce Dowbiggin wondered, “Why are clubs giving out deals that run till 2019?” Some players “believe the league is trying to put as many of its top players on long contracts to forestall any further labour problems in 2009 (when the NHLPA has a re-opener) or in 2011 when the CBA expires. The thinking is that the NHL will take the position that contracts are null and void if the player misses time due to a strike/lockout. Hence, stars will be forced to choose between the NHLPA and themselves.” NHLPA Exec Dir Paul Kelly said that the union is “studying the issue, but believes contracts are valid despite labour problems.” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly "did not respond to an email” regarding the matter (CALGARY HERALD, 12/17).
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