Looks like I was wrong about the next Penguin to go. Definitely a sudden surprise. I'm sure putting up those kind of numbers in a losing cause helped make his decision easier.
Jes has some uncommon insight into how Palffy is perceived in his native Slovakia(formerly Czech.) Born into a long line of Hungarian nobility (of which he knows little about, not surprisingly), Palffy has that natural skill that is so rare among the human population. Given his 'luck' in life, Palffy is quite a slacker and his off-season conditioning is about as strenuous as that of Robert Svehla's (beer and golf). Palffy is known among the local Skalica residents to be extremely cocky and haughty, acting like a 'spoiled prince'
If I had only read the headline that said he retired because of "personal reasons", and knowing he had previously turned down the option of playing the Olympics, I would have immediately assumed he had failed a drug test and was looking to avoid the negative publicity. That said, it's sucks that he forced to retire. I hope he invested his money well.
I watched Ziggy on a regular basis when he was with the Kings. The guy is very talented. I think if he would have worked harder on his game, he would have been one of the top 5 players in the league-he's that good. I also heard his work ethic was less than stellar. Too bad he never lived up to his potential.
Does it seem weird to anyone else that this frees up cap space this year but his salary will count against the Pens for the next two years (until the end of the contract he signed last summer)? (Unless I'm understanding the cap incorrectly.)
Spector seems to think it will clear cap space this year, and the next two. If I had a definitive answer, I'd share it.
I am 90% positive that if he actually files his retirement papers, he doesn't count against the cap anymore.
After doing a little huting around I would think the situation is that Palffy isn't going to get paid, and his salary won't count against the cap, this year or in the future. If you were using the Mogilny or Andreychuk situation for comparison, I think the difference here is that Palffy is under the veteran determinant of not being 35 years old. Tom Benjamin is who I rely on for CBA info.
If he retired for injury reasons won't the insurance on his contract kick in?
Yeah, I forgot that he's under 35. Which still leaves the pertinent question of what the hell is up with the CBA's treatment of contracts for players over 35? It's not like NHL teams sign older players to huge back-loaded contracts with the intention of unilaterally breaking the contract long before that money comes due (like in the NFL), because NHL teams can't do that. There doesn't seem to be any reason for what the NHL does now. (thanks for the Tom Benjamin link, garfield)
Anyone else find it suspicous how the NEW CBA seems to be locked away in a vault somewhere? There must be something in there we are gonna be shocked at. One day hockey fans everywhere will be saying WTF!
