Frequently Asked Questions...
What was the longest contract a hockey player signed?
I recently read something on sports website that LeCavalier signed an 11 year deal with Tampa... Which is ridiculously long. And my question has nothing to do with renewing or resigning to the same team once their old contract is up.
Answer:
lcayote, prior to expansion, players signed one year contracts and each September the teams decided which players to renew, and which players to release. There was no real free agency back then - by the time the team had made a decision to release you - it was hard to catch on with other clubs.
The difference between now and then is that contracts weren't negotiated in the same manner. You took what you were offered because once they offered it to you............you couldn't say no and go somewhere else. The offer bound you to the team whether you signed the contract or not.
For the longest contract, on January 26, 1979, Wayne Gretzky signed a 21 year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
http://www.oilersheritage.com/history/WHA_events_sign_gretzky.html
The problem with the above link is that it fails to mention that the WHA and NHL had already agreed to merge (that happened in November 1978) beginning with the 1979-80 season.
Lecavalier Signed
Vincent Lecavalier signing autographs
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