1. Halak’s performance bonus has not yet been reached
As outlined on the website previously, Jaroslav Halak’s relief appearance against the Ducks does not mean he has reached the ten game performance bonus he has incentivized into his contract.
If Halak, who currently has nine starts on the season, gets the nod one more time between the pipes he’s entitled to a 1.25 million dollar bonus. Given Vancouver’s tricky salary cap situation, adding another 1.25 million dollars to the books won’t prove to be an easy task.
Depending on whether or not the team could squeeze Halak’s bonus under the cap could have future repercussions on the teams outlook. If the performance bonus cannot be added to the books this season, then the cap hit would take affect next season, counting as part of the ‘rollover cap’ that every team wants to minimize.
Even if it means Vancouver lessens the asset(s) they get in return for Halak, getting rid of the Slovakian’s cap number and performance bonus is needed for the future of the franchise.