The problem is that you cannot guarantee that a player signed to a long term deal will remain injured and not recover over the life of the contract.
- MJL

I think exceptions should be made for a player in a situations like Pronger or the compliance buyout should be applicable for it. They made up a rule for Gomez and Redden in January, why not one this summer for Pronger and Marc Savard?

The problem is that you cannot guarantee that a player signed to a long term deal will remain injured and not recover over the life of the contract.
- MJL

Yeah but a short caveat of "if I a retired players returns to the NHL his current contract goes back into effect" wouldn't be ridiculous. You'd want to exclude the years he missed and define the length of time they'd have to be out... Say a season. It's not rocket science.
Wait who am I kidding? We all lived through the last lockout

The problem is that you cannot guarantee that a player signed to a long term deal will remain injured and not recover over the life of the contract.
- MJL

True, but in a case like Pronge or Laperriere, when it's obviously not a case of a guy retiring because he got paid and is simply escaping the last years where he's making $900K a year, there should be an exemption.

I could see if Pronger had gotten to the last two years of the deal and "hurt" his back. But an obvious freak injury with 5 years left on the deal and millions of dollars still due, or a player's death should be exceptions.

In both cases I mentioned, it's obvious the player and the team that signed him expected him to be on the ice for a lot longer than he was.

His interview was heartbreaking. To have all that ability and talent taken anyway by one freak accident, truly depressing. Loved him and will miss him.
- NickTheKid87

link?

In other sad, hockey related news, Ronny Keller of the Swiss League has been left quadriplegic after a gruesome head first collision with the boards...

http://nesn.com/2013/03/h...swiss-playoff-game-video/

Tough to watch.. amazing it isnt a more common issue, thankfully.
- jak521

I got chills in a bad way. Horrific to say the least.

I think exceptions should be made for a player in a situations like Pronger or the compliance buyout should be applicable for it. They made up a rule for Gomez and Redden in January, why not one this summer for Pronger and Marc Savard?
- NickTheKid87

Well, Savard's not on an over 35 deal. he can retire tomorrow and the hit comes off Boston's cap

I think exceptions should be made for a player in a situations like Pronger or the compliance buyout should be applicable for it. They made up a rule for Gomez and Redden in January, why not one this summer for Pronger and Marc Savard?
- NickTheKid87

At a time when they have been really attacking the kind of contract Prongs has I don't see any exceptions being made. The league has long wanted these kind of contracts eliminated......they will see it as a "you got yourself into this mess, you're going to have to deal with it" type of situation.

I think exceptions should be made for a player in a situations like Pronger or the compliance buyout should be applicable for it. They made up a rule for Gomez and Redden in January, why not one this summer for Pronger and Marc Savard?
- NickTheKid87

It's a totally different situation. Who's to say that a year or two from now, Pronger and Savard recover and become symptom free and medically cleared to play? The League wants to prevent cap circumvention.

In other sad, hockey related news, Ronny Keller of the Swiss League has been left quadriplegic after a gruesome head first collision with the boards...

http://nesn.com/2013/03/h...swiss-playoff-game-video/

Tough to watch.. amazing it isnt a more common issue, thankfully.
- jak521

That is tough to watch....immediately reminded me of Travis Roy, and Jack Jablonski.

Pronger will address the Philly media at noon.

Jesus, I hope he doesn't announce a retirement. That dead cap space is scary
- Jsaquella

please no

link?
- Don'tForgetTocchet

Just read a bunch of quotes. Haven't been able to find the actually interview.

True, but in a case like Pronge or Laperriere, when it's obviously not a case of a guy retiring because he got paid and is simply escaping the last years where he's making $900K a year, there should be an exemption.

I could see if Pronger had gotten to the last two years of the deal and "hurt" his back. But an obvious freak injury with 5 years left on the deal and millions of dollars still due, or a player's death should be exceptions.

In both cases I mentioned, it's obvious the player and the team that signed him expected him to be on the ice for a lot longer than he was.
- Jsaquella

Opening up a can of worms. NHL teams have shown that they will use any loophole they can find to circumvent the Cap.

It's a totally different situation. Who's to say that a year or two from now, Pronger and Savard recover and become symptom free and medically cleared to play? The League wants to prevent cap circumvention.
- MJL

I understand that but why can't they make a one time exception for Pronger's situation? The probability of him ever playing again is slim to none and his deal was signed prior to the new CBA so I think some type of exception would be reasonable. I understand he COULD come back but this isn't like his foot is messed up or something.

why the hell would the Flyers let him retire?!

Lavy is going to have to start sitting Bryz sooner or later for a bit, nevermind bears in the bush and the humungous big universe, the man will be collapsing on the ice soon enough.

Opening up a can of worms. NHL teams have shown that they will use any loophole they can find to circumvent the Cap.
- MJL

It is opening a can of worms. But there's attempts at avoiding the cap and legitimate injuries.

Pronger had 11 points in 12 games when he left the lineup. He was playing very well and obviously had plans to continue playing for any number of years.

Also, I think in a case where a guy passes away in an untimely manner-say a car wreck-it's an accident, not an attempt to get around the cap.

Opening up a can of worms. NHL teams have shown that they will use any loophole they can find to circumvent the Cap.
- MJL

A slope is only as slippery as you make it.

why the hell would the Flyers let him retire?!
- KGBflyers10

They have little choice.

They have little choice.
- Jsaquella

Why can't he lie and say he might come back then? That's what they've been doing the past seasons with him and Lappy.

why the hell would the Flyers let him retire?!
- KGBflyers10

Are you saying they should act to prevent him from retiring? I don't think they can do that.

They have little choice.
- Jsaquella

If he wants to get on with his life and not have the NHL in the back of his mind, more power to him. Anything to make it a bit easier on him.

Why can't he lie and say he might come back then? That's what they've been doing the past seasons with him and Lappy.
- KGBflyers10

He could lie, sure. Basically what he has to do, by showing up for the physical every year.

Why can't he lie and say he might come back then? That's what they've been doing the past seasons with him and Lappy.
- KGBflyers10

Don't forget Mike Rathje

Would something as major as a retirement announcement slip under the radar all this time without a single rumor?

If he wants to get on with his life and not have the NHL in the back of his mind, more power to him. Anything to make it a bit easier on him.
- tangent_man

It would suck for the Flyers, but I'm sure it would give him a bit of relief. I can't begrudge him if he does decide to retire. Imagine 5 more years of a farce.