Dubas isn't front loading and handing out huge signing bonuses because he intends to trade Tavares/Mathews/Marner/Nylander , he's doing it because their agents know it's a huge benefit to the player to get as much front end money as possible and to be buyout/lockout protected .
and do you actually think the owners want to pay millions to players to play for another team ?
Actually both are important! Yes, its great for the player for the reasons you outlined and our financial strength helps us with contracts like this, the 1 way 4th liner contracts, etc.
Nylander's on 6.96 AAV contract. Based on his contract structure, if Nylander was traded at beginning of this season, his annual salary be $4.9 M over 5 years.
As you say, owners want to pay less always so some owners see this is of value! Therefore, he has better trade value to some teams.
This year were as tight as ever to the cap and there's lots of speculation around which player would go including Ceci, Kappy, AJ, etc.
Injuries or the back up situation may force our hands.
The financing cost of a 4M signing bonus is what... 100k or less (my guess <40k)? Nothing to MLSE.
