Report: Hossa NHL deal investigated

CHICAGO, July 31 (UPI) -- The NHL is studying the 12-year, $62.8 million deal right winger Marian Hossa signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Ottawa Sun reported late Thursday that the league is trying to determine if the deal Hossa signed on July 1 circumvents the collective bargaining agreement and salary cap.

The National Hockey League wants to know whether if Chicago discussed the possibility that Hossa, 30, would retire before the contract expires, which would end the salary cap hit, The Chicago Tribune said.

The deal would pay him $5.23 million each year with a corresponding cap hit.

"The NHL is looking to put a damper on these 10-plus-year contracts with throwaway years tacked on at the end," an NHL executive told the newspaper. "They are building a strong case against Chicago to make an example of them. This issue won't just go away. Lots of other GMs are supporting the league here."