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First we had Bob Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers GM, signing restricted free agent centre, Ryan Kesler, to a one-year offer sheet for $1.9 million U.S., thus forcing the Vancouver Canuck GM to match the offer. And, by matching the offer sheet, Kesler can’t be traded for at least one year under the new NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Of course, this is also a substantial additional hit to the Canuck cap – you see, they only planned to offer Kesler $900,000! It also means the Canucks are banging their heads on the League Cap. Nice one, Mr. Clarke.

Now, we have Devils GM, Lou Lamoriello nicely twisting out of his own salary cap problems at the 11th hour after receiving NHL league approval to deem Alexander Mogilny unfit to play, triggering the “Long-Term Injury” Clause. As a result, his salary will not go against the cap. Savings - $3.5 million US. Nice one, Lou! Another great loophole in the CBA Game discovered!

As one anonymous GM said "This opens up a real can of worms for the league; this is going to get ugly."

I understand the anger. Mogilny’s over 35 and why is his situation any different from any other aging player? And there is a clause in the new CBA whereby a player who is 35 or older who signs a multi-year deal will have his salary counted against the team’s cap if he retires or is sent down to the minors.

But, good old Lou found the “Long Term Injury” clause loophole. Good one, Lou!

Instead of anger and outrage, the other NHL GMs should get in the game. Learn the CBA - front to back. Play the game. It was only a matter of time before this chess game began. Anyone can pull this stunt – as long as the player’s condition stands up to the scrutiny of examination by medical physicians outside of the player’s own NHL organization.

Who will step up next? We are all going to learn a lot about the CBA this year. Last year, we waded through the new NHL rules – this is the year of the CBA. So sit back and enjoy – the fun is just beginning!

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