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Players retiring while under contract, What happens?

Apr. 9, 2019 at 9:55 a.m.
#1
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While this is mainly pertaining to Ryan Kesler, who may get career ending hip replacement surgery - Article it also relates to Luongo as the retirement rumors have been following him as well. What are the cap/money ramifications of these players retiring? Thanks in advance for anyone that can answer
Apr. 9, 2019 at 10:32 a.m.
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Below Market Value
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Rarely will a player officially retire while still under contract. Usually they will just stop playing due to an injury and be placed on LTIR for the remainder of their contract. If they were to actually retire, they would lose the rest of the money on their contract.
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Apr. 9, 2019 at 11:08 a.m.
#3
LongtimeLeafsufferer
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Quoting: Salzy
While this is mainly pertaining to Ryan Kesler, who may get career ending hip replacement surgery - Article it also relates to Luongo as the retirement rumors have been following him as well. What are the cap/money ramifications of these players retiring? Thanks in advance for anyone that can answer


Cap wise, it's beneficial for the Panthers and Canucks if Luongo goes on LTIR. Actual money owing to Lou over the next three years is just 3.6m so he's just might retire, even if is cleared to play. Due to the from loading of his contract, the Canucks (and maybe the Panthers too). would be on the hook for a some cap hit if he retires. Not exactly sure how it works but there is formula. Hence the problem with front loading contracts, it's usually the team that paid the most money up (this case the Canucks) are still on the hook for cap money if case of retirement.
Lou isn't affected by the age 35 plus rule since he signed before his 35th birthday.
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Apr. 9, 2019 at 7:43 p.m.
#4
Follow capfriendly
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Quoting: Salzy
While this is mainly pertaining to Ryan Kesler, who may get career ending hip replacement surgery - Article it also relates to Luongo as the retirement rumors have been following him as well. What are the cap/money ramifications of these players retiring? Thanks in advance for anyone that can answer


As already stated, generally there are two scenarios that occur:

1. Early retirement (Example: Lecavalier), this is a true retirement, player retires from NHL without an injury, and they cease earning a salary. The team no longer has a cap hit (unless their is a recapture penalty, of which can't occur for any contract signed since the 2013 CBA)
2. "LTIRetire" The player is injured for the remainder of their career (See: Pronger, Hossa, MacArthur, etc, etc) and they "retire" from hockey; however, it is not an official retirement: The player continues to receive a salary, and therefore the team incurs a cap hit. Generally the contract is covered partially by insurance (usually 80%), and the team, if they need to exceed the upper limit, can place them on LTIR

Unless there is a recapture penalty, point 1 is beneficial for the team, but not for the player, for that reason option 2 is much more common.

Exception: payers on multi-year 35+ contracts who retire, their team does not receive a cap hit benefit.
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Jul. 31, 2021 at 6:39 p.m.
#5
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What if a player retires, then two weeks later decides he wants back in, would the league bar him from signing a new contract?
Aug. 1, 2021 at 6:57 a.m.
#6
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Quoting: SmokeAndBeer
What if a player retires, then two weeks later decides he wants back in, would the league bar him from signing a new contract?


Well I’m pretty sure Lemieux, Gordie Howe and Guy Lafleur all “retired” then came back to play later
Aug. 1, 2021 at 2:31 p.m.
#7
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Quoting: SmokeAndBeer
What if a player retires, then two weeks later decides he wants back in, would the league bar him from signing a new contract?


Quoting: A_Habs_fan
Well I’m pretty sure Lemieux, Gordie Howe and Guy Lafleur all “retired” then came back to play later


Needs to stay retired at least the length of the contract and then ask to be reinstated if I remember correctly. The Kovalchuk situation would be the most recent example of this
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