I wish I knew. Russo tweeted something about it and linked it to a article in the Athletic that he had updated, but in the article it wasn't real clear. Sorry.

Pretty much. I think it's pretty clear that they never considered a situation like this could occur when they wrote the previous CBA. I think they're just lucky that we got to a new CBA before they had to bail a team out or change the rule on the fly so a team could actually have a full roster on the ice every night.

Thanks for clearing this up for me based on what you have just said in your last two posts and what I read it makes more sense now.

In Barzal's situation I think it actually works. Here is why:
Even if the cap stays flat, a 7-8 year deal could pay Barzal north of $10M. If he signs for $6x2 plus $10x8 it's a total of $92x10 (or $9.2M aav average). Barzal would be 33 at the end of both contracts. Even at UFA level that should get him one more sizeable contract. This method probably maxes out his career earnings.

Also, this helps him win in the short term. So hopefully that matters to him on a personal level. We saw a ton of RFA's bridge last offseason, so I don't think the idea is that unreasonable. After 2 year bridge is up, Boychuk, Clutterbuck and Komarov will all have their contracts expire at the same time. More money to go around.