I don't actually think there's anything wrong with signing an NHL player to age 40. It's the ones that were going to 41 or 42, and/or had virtually no money in the ages 38-40 range but were heavily frontloaded, that constituted blatant attempts at circumvention.
There isn't any of that in this contract. Tanev's deal doesn't go beyond 40, and it contains $4.5M in base salary in every year of the deal. No bonuses, no frontloading whatsoever. That contract is fine to me.
Source:
Chris Tanev | 6yrs x 4.500M (TOR)
The issue some anticipate relates to potential shenanigans related to LTIR as he ages. The NHL just needs to make sure they're extra vigilant about the reasoning if they make the case that he can't play any longer at age 38. Get meticulous on the medical records. If they pass muster, I don't see why this is a problem. Players head for LTIRetirement before their contracts expire due to the wear and tear all the time. Virtually all the cases are legitimate.
The thing with LTIR is... players don't fake injuries. Everyone else is faking good health.
You don't want to lose your spot to some kid coming up, or to a journeyman busting his ass, so everyone's constantly playing hurt and lying to everyone (team doctor, coach, GM) about it. Teams rarely repeat or go deep every year because player bodies are so shattered playing into June if their club goes on a run. It's the same reason so many players live on that thin line of just enough or pain killer dependency.
When it's finally in your interest to admit to your injuries, a doctor doesn't have to fudge anything to prove it. Injury-riddled 38 years olds? The NHL is full of them.
