The signing bonus is 92500 when you sign and 92500 in each of the following two years . In the NHL max is 92500 signing bonus and 832500 salary . it is the same now as it was in 2011 when they signed the new CBA . Players salary has doubled in that time but the rookie ELC have not increased one bit . And 70000 salary in AHL on ELC's is basically a joke and ain't helping convincing them either .
[url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/180313/dq180313a-eng.htm]Not if you're part of the real world[/URL]. Those bonuses are pretty close to double the median income for single Canadians. Not to mention I believe the teams provide per diem during the season as well, so most costs are fairly negligible.
But I do understand your point relative to average NHL salaries.
College on the other hand? That leads us into the whole "retiring at 35 mindset" that players seem to revel in. Um, no, I graduated from my final degree at 34 so it's hardly too late to go back to school, particularly if you've just enjoyed a 12-15 year NHL career and were even slightly prudent with your salary. Going back to college, as Samberg is, for a chance at a 3-peat? Absolutely makes sense versus spending time in the AHL given the relatively minor differences in quality depending on which part of the NCAA you play in and the bonus of being part of a championship caliber team.
And if I'm Samberg I'm looking at my future coach's approach to rookies versus vets and thinking, nope, no hurry at all.