AP Photo/M. Spencer Green

A short while ago I wrote how Marian Hossa had made the move from Stanley Cup runners-up Detroit Redwings to the Chicago Blackhawks, calling him a Jonah. Seems he is in more ways than one. The NHL is now investigating the contract he has with the Hawks, a $62.8 million, 12 year contract. The question is whether Hossa and the Hawks ever discussed the idea of the player retiring before his contract runs out, in which case the contract would be a violation of the collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap. Suspicions arose when it was made known that, although averaging "only" $5.23 million for each year of the contract, he will be receiving a far higher pay-out in the first seven years, $7.9 million, dropping to $4 million and then $3.5 for the last four years. If he was to retire early he would effectively be beating the salary cap.

The story of the Coyotes doesn't seem to go away, despite nearing the start of the season. Now, the only bid that has come in before the deadline for keeping the franchise in Phoenix has been called into question and the NHL has requested that the sale, which originally would have to be completed this Wednesday, be postponed until September. The Reinsdorf offer now on the table has been questioned by the club's present owner, Jerry Moyes, as it does not provide any cash for the franchise's debtors, headed by Moyes himself. According to the original court decision, if an acceptable bid to keep the franchise in Phoenix had not come in by last Friday's deadline, the way would be open for Moyes's wish to accept a bid which would mean moving the team to Canada. More to come, no doubt.

All the best.