I don't know that wear and tear will be an out for allowing a 38-year-old's cap hit to expire.
Especially when the player has said that his contract was designed to "fool the system."
If wear and tear was enough, I'm sure Hossa could have pointed to a shoulder issue or knee issue.
The damage to Kronwall's knee requiring 2-3 surgeries plus lack of cartilage and the addition of scar tissue seal his status when he needs to go on.
For Z he has 2 surgeries on his back. I unaware of if they where in the same spot but put it this way for normal people you have just 1 back surgery and you can never be the same let alone 2 but 12+ years of wear and tear throughout his career.
To worry about either contract is just folly. I get disability from the va and while I haven't had surgery I get rated for my knees and we as fans have all seen first hand how Kronners speed is basically nonexistent anymore. To think that either player if they where given a actual accurate physical and pass is nonexistent. The only reason they still get cleared to play now is because they say they want to continue to play and the team has a doctor that allows there wishes to continue.