For a while in the late 2000s, general managers in the National Hockey League were locking up their star players to huge long-term deals, several longer than the now-maximum eight-year terms.
Having clearly not learned from the New York Islanders’ regret over signing Rick DiPietro to a 15-year deal in 2006, the buyout of which leaves $1.5m on the Islanders’ books until 2029, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis signed then-All Star goalie Roberto Luongo to a massive 12-year deal with a $5.333m AAV.
According to Elliotte Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column, Luongo is looking more and more likely to retire this summer.