This is a theoretical question but I am using John Tavares as an example simply because his contract matches the needs of my scenario. I am not implying that John Tavares is going to retire nor am I suggesting that he should retire. I was just curious about a theoretical contract situation and think better using specifics.
For the 2024-25 season, John Tavares will receive a signing bonus of $7,040,000 on July 1st and a regular salary of $910,000. His cap hit will be $11,000,000.
Now, suppose John decides to retire.
If he were to retire tomorrow (June 30), he gets no signing bonus and no salary and his cap hit is $0, That's pretty straightforward. But what if he decides to wait?
On Monday (July 1), he receives his signing bonus. Then, on Tuesday (July 2), he retires. It's clear he receives no salary but what would his cap hit be? Would it be $0? Would it be $11,000,000. Something else?
Again, this is a theoretical discussion about cap hits for players who retire after receiving their signing bonus. It is not a discussion about whether or not Tavares should or will retire.
For the 2024-25 season, John Tavares will receive a signing bonus of $7,040,000 on July 1st and a regular salary of $910,000. His cap hit will be $11,000,000.
Now, suppose John decides to retire.
If he were to retire tomorrow (June 30), he gets no signing bonus and no salary and his cap hit is $0, That's pretty straightforward. But what if he decides to wait?
On Monday (July 1), he receives his signing bonus. Then, on Tuesday (July 2), he retires. It's clear he receives no salary but what would his cap hit be? Would it be $0? Would it be $11,000,000. Something else?
Again, this is a theoretical discussion about cap hits for players who retire after receiving their signing bonus. It is not a discussion about whether or not Tavares should or will retire.