Bettman on long-term deals

by James Mirtle on Apr 22, 2009 5:04 PM CDT Comment 5 comments

More photos » by Rich Schultz - AP

"That wasn't interference, was it?"

Gary Bettman's been gritting his teeth about long-term contracts ever since that absurd Rick DiPietro contract went on the Islanders' books, and while in Columbus yesterday, the commish opined on the Red Wings' recent behemoth deals:

Bettman was asked what he thought of the long-term, front-loaded deals that have recently been signed by Detroit players Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg.

"Under a cap system, I would try to opt for shorter contracts because it allows for more flexibility," Bettman said. "Maybe my words will become prophetic if the cap flattens out or recedes a little bit because of the economy."

Bettman said the long-term deals are an issue that the league and NHLPA might discuss when it comes time to sit down to hammer out the next collective bargaining agreement.

Old hat, basically. But what we haven't heard is a player's response to Bettman's musings. Here's Johan Franzen, from that same piece by Craig Custance:

Franzen admitted his contract was a way to work around the current salary cap system but said it was within the rules.

"If you don't like it, you have to come up with rules against it," Franzen told Sporting News Today. "You can't say something after."

Hard to argue with that.

I bet the owners look to get rid of deals over seven or eight years in the next round of negotiations, so those looking for a lifetime contract would best sign it this summer. (That means you, Jay Bouwmeester.)

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Bouwmeester wants a lifetime deal?

by wlittle on Apr 22, 2009 8:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who wouldn’t?

by James Mirtle on Apr 22, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figure the Wings are going to sign him for 100 years at $130 million.

by J. Michael Neal on Apr 23, 2009 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually read some Oilers fans talking about a 25-year, $100-million contract. You could front-load it and then not worry about paying out the full total given he’d retire before age 50 (presumably).

What’s the downside of that, really? :-)

by James Mirtle on Apr 23, 2009 2:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldnt a longer-term deal better for flexibility when “the cap flattens out or recedes a little bit because of the economy.”? If I have to contract with Franzen for 4 years, instead of 13, isn’t it more likely that he’s going to get a high per-year cap hit? Ie, want a 5 year deal worth 25 million, instead of a 10 year deal with 45? By giving him a longer-contract, I am better able to manage my salary costs when the cap goes down.

And, in the long run, the cap is always going to expand. Sure, it may have a few years where it contracts along with the general economy, but there is no way Bettman is going to stand up there and say that HRR are going to be significantly lower in 10 years than they are today. The state of the NHL is always strong in Bettman’s world.

So Gary, whats the acceptable length? 2 years? 4 years? 6 years? Maybe I’ll ask him on Twitter!

Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.

http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo

by poploser on Apr 23, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs