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Zajac contract predicting escrow hit?

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08:18 AM ET 01.17 | And the first marquee contract of the new CBA goes to Travis Zajac. [Let's] break down the deal: 2013-14 $3.5 million (includes $1 million in signing bonus) ... 2014-15 $5 million (includes $1 million in signing bonus) ... 2015-16 $6.5 million ... 2016-17 $6.5 million ... 2017-18 $6.5 million ... 2018-19 $6.5 million ... 2019-20 $5.75 million ... 2020-21 $5.75 million ... [Notice] how the lowest salary amount comes next season in 2013-14 at $3.5 million? My guess is, Zajac's camp, led by agent Kurt Overhardt, figured to protect against possible escrow payments. Certainly with the salary-cap allowance going down from $70.2 million to $64.3 million next season, escrow is a real possibility depending on how hockey-related revenue grows.

ESPN.com

Travis Zajac, Getty Images Travis Zajac, Getty Images
January 17, 2013  08:43 AM ET

Can somebody please explain to me why escrow is such a big deal in the NHL?

My understanding of escrow is money held by a third party until certain obligations have been met. If the players are going to get the damn money in the end, why the hell do I have to hear about damn escrow every day? What do I care? What do the players care?

January 17, 2013  08:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Can somebody please explain to me why escrow is such a big deal in the NHL?My understanding of escrow is money held by a third party until certain obligations have been met. If the players are going to get the damn money in the end, why the hell do I have to hear about damn escrow every day? What do I care? What do the players care?

It's not garunteed that the players will get the money. If certain conditions aren't met, they don't get the money so it's kind of a sneaky way to cut salaries. Since meeting the conditions depends on how the league is run by the commish and board of directors, it's understandable that the players are not enamored of escrows.

January 17, 2013  09:04 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

It's not garunteed that the players will get the money. If certain conditions aren't met, they don't get the money so it's kind of a sneaky way to cut salaries. Since meeting the conditions depends on how the league is run by the commish and board of directors, it's understandable that the players are not enamored of escrows.

So i'm guessing these conditions come down to league profitability? Makes sense now.

January 17, 2013  09:06 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

It's not garunteed that the players will get the money. If certain conditions aren't met, they don't get the money so it's kind of a sneaky way to cut salaries. Since meeting the conditions depends on how the league is run by the commish and board of directors, it's understandable that the players are not enamored of escrows.

as a long time local fan, I ama amazed that now twice the devils, a team with the (deservedly) reputation of being tight with a buck. But first kovy and now this...it seems odd to me

January 17, 2013  09:31 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

as a long time local fan, I ama amazed that now twice the devils, a team with the (deservedly) reputation of being tight with a buck. But first kovy and now this...it seems odd to me

Well, besides Niedermeyer who I believe genuinely wanted to play with his brother, the guys the Devils let go of in the past mostly winded up being good decisions (Holik, Gomez etc.). Kovalchuk started off slow, but he was pretty great last year, and showed some heart in the playoffs. Zajac's a pretty good player. I don't really knock either deal yet.

January 17, 2013  09:50 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Well, besides Niedermeyer who I believe genuinely wanted to play with his brother, the guys the Devils let go of in the past mostly winded up being good decisions (Holik, Gomez etc.). Kovalchuk started off slow, but he was pretty great last year, and showed some heart in the playoffs. Zajac's a pretty good player. I don't really knock either deal yet.

not knocking the deal, just shocked that they actually shook the cobwebs off the vault

January 17, 2013  10:12 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

not knocking the deal, just shocked that they actually shook the cobwebs off the vault

They paid him to much, but do that from time to time. See Jay Pandalfo and Andy Greene as examples. But long term deal, so in 4 years will probably be fair market value, and at the end it will be on the cheap. The big thing is Lou signed a guy early (one year left). Only second time ever.

January 17, 2013  10:18 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Can somebody please explain to me why escrow is such a big deal in the NHL?My understanding of escrow is money held by a third party until certain obligations have been met. If the players are going to get the damn money in the end, why the hell do I have to hear about damn escrow every day? What do I care? What do the players care?

You have a better understanding than I did Danny. I was playing golf in Monterey and some guy told us he had a house in escrow. I thought it was a small town near Backerfield. :-)

January 17, 2013  10:25 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

as a long time local fan, I ama amazed that now twice the devils, a team with the (deservedly) reputation of being tight with a buck. But first kovy and now this...it seems odd to me

open the coffers for Zajac and Kovalchuk...weird indeed.

January 17, 2013  11:07 AM ET
QUOTE(#4):

as a long time local fan, I ama amazed that now twice the devils, a team with the (deservedly) reputation of being tight with a buck. But first kovy and now this...it seems odd to me

5.75 cap hit is very reasonable...the term is still way too long tho for my liking...5 years max.

January 17, 2013  12:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Can somebody please explain to me why escrow is such a big deal in the NHL?

well, when thrown into a soup or salad, it does add a nice flavour and fullness

January 17, 2013  12:47 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

well, when thrown into a soup or salad, it does add a nice flavour and fullness

I always thought they went well with a little garlic and butter.

January 17, 2013  02:12 PM ET
QUOTE(#12):

I always thought they went well with a little garlic and butter.

most things do!

January 17, 2013  04:07 PM ET

Is there a sexier topic than ESCROW?

the morning they announced that they reached a tentative deal, I was on the road to Ottawa and I listened to a sports show; the guy read off a list of all the cap-specific terms he never wants to hear again...i got a kick out of it.

 
January 17, 2013  04:28 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Is there a sexier topic than ESCROW?

ESCKEROTUM!

How's that for sexy?

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