Problems With The Frogen Contract Make No Sense (If you don’t know how old he is)
July 9th, 2008 by SteveAccording to an article posted on the Sportsnet website earlier tonight the deal between the Leafs and Jonas Frögren was nixed due to Entry Level Salary considerations. The problem with the article is that it clearly states that Frögren is “28″, and yet despite his “years of play in Europe” he is required to sign an entry level deal. This completely contradicts the articles of the CBA ratified in 2005. Here’s the subsection of article (9) of the CBA that comes into question in the situation:
(c) Notwithstanding the chart set forth in (b) above, a Player who at the time he was drafted was playing for a team outside North America or who meets the qualifications set forth in Article 8.4(a)(v) (a “European Player”) who signs his first SPC at ages 25-27 shall be subject to the Entry Level System for one (1) year. A European Player who signs his first SPC at age 28 or older is not subject to the Entry Level System under any circumstances.
If he’s at age 28 or older, then he isn’t subject to the Entry Level System under any circumstances… it says so pretty damn clearly.
Frögren ACTUALLY doesn’t turn 28 until August 28th of this year. At which point he will no longer be subject to contract issues with the CBA. So basically if the Leafs want to sign him to a non-entry level deal, they just have to invite him to camp without a contract, then sign him to one after August 28th. It’s pretty simple. Don’t be surprised if it comes out that the Leafs sort things out with Frögren and the NHLPA so that his contract goes into effect after his birthday, and he just signs it then.
Frankly this is nothing to be concerned over… unless of course you think Sportsnet should perhaps be doing better research. Crack team they’ve got over there… can’t add so much… or perhaps even count, but they do some great work. In case you were wondering I actually have his correct age posted in the article written the other day.
I wonder if Kypreos is in charge of birthdays over at Hockey Central?
Posted in Prospects
7 Responses to “Problems With The Frogen Contract Make No Sense (If you don’t know how old he is)”
By David Johnson on Jul 9, 2008
Section 9.2 of the CBA reads:
9.2. Age of Players. As used in this Article, “age,” including “First SPC Signing Age” means a Players age on September 15 of the calendar year in which he signs an SPC, regardless of actual age on the date he signs such SPC.
So I really don’t understand what the fuss is about because all that matters is how old he will be on September 15th, not July 9th. On September 15th he will be 28.
By scotty on Jul 9, 2008
The NHL head cheeses have nothing to do thse days but obstruct a contract for no reason?
By Steve on Jul 9, 2008
Ok so the problem can’t be with the entry level age. I have a really hard time understanding how the league can just sort of change the CBA for one situation regarding the Leafs. Since the odds of that happening are virtually nil, then I have no idea what the story is even about… none of it makes any sense.
Either the NHL is run by idiots, or there’s something else going on. I just find it a bit idiotic that anyone with a computer can go on and search the CBA and prove this whole story to be bogus within about 5 minutes. Heads… Up… Asses.
By Jason C on Jul 10, 2008
It sounds like the Leafs’ offer was higher than the max entry-level contract, otherwise the league wouldn’t have rejected it. I’m no expert, but I was under the impression that an entry-level contract and a non entry-level contract only differs in the fact that entry-level contracts have a max base salary of 850k with tons of bonus incentives.
By Steve on Jul 10, 2008
That’s fine Jason, but according to the CBA, Frogen will be 28 before the September 15th, Players Age Date in the calendar year when he signs his first Standard Player Contract. As a result, again according to the CBA, he’s “not “subject to the Entry Level System under any circumstances.” Basically the situation makes zero sense according to the CBA.
The fact that it’s his first deal only matters if he’s 27 or younger as of September 15th. He won’t be… so the whole thing really is quite confusing.
By Steve on Jul 10, 2008
Oh and they did away with the bonus and incentive packages in the CBA for players who haven’t played… bonuses count against the cap, so that wouldn’t really benefit the Leafs… and again, are irrelevant in this situation.
By HandsAlot on Jul 10, 2008
I wonder if the McCabe situation had anything to do with this? I know I’m reaching a bit, but with the supposed rumours of the Leafs attempting to force an NMC player out of their contract might make the league single out the Leafs with anything contract related.