Younger players cashing in

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2008 | by Kevin Allen

Philadelphia Flyers center Mike Richards, 23, has 47 NHL goals and a 12-year, $69million contract. Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf, 22, has 62 goals and a five-year deal worth more than $26million. Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, also 22, will earn an average of $6.3million for six seasons.

"The number of (young players) signing was mind-boggling," said agent Steve Bartlett. "And it was clearly in anticipation of, or warding off the possibility of, a Thomas Vanek-type offer next summer."

Anaheim general manager Brian Burke says the Edmonton Oilers' decision to give offer sheets to GroupII restricted free agents last summer caused "the elimination of the second contract."

In previous years, general managers had some control over players...