The New Jersey Devils announced on Tuesday that forward Ryane Clowe would join the team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.
https://twitter.com/NJDevils/status/752960329865306112
Now, usually a former player transitioning into coaching isn’t a big deal and Clowe’s not exactly noteworthy enough to garner attention usually, but there’s an interesting detail with his new role. He’s still on the Devils payroll as a player.
Ryane Clowe has not officially retired as a player. He still has a contract with the Devils and will be on LTIR when the season begins.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) July 12, 2016
Clowe hasn’t officially retired and is still on New Jersey’s books with a $4.85 million cap hit this season and next. Clowe, who hasn’t appeared in an NHL game since 2014 after suffering a career-ending concussion, will be the team’s fourth highest-paid forward despite being an assistant coach. It’s quite bizarre.
It’s complicated, Clowe’s deal is on the LITR so the Devils will get some cap relief despite his hefty salary still being paid in full. It’s going to be quite funny if the Devils are forced to deal his cap hit and Clowe still sticks around as an assistant. Would the NHL allow that? It’s tricky waters. New Jersey acquired Marc Savard’s cap hit for a draft pick in a deal with the Panthers this offseason, so they’re familiar with what to do in the situation. Paying Clowe and Savard to not play is strange, however. If Clowe officially retires it’s a different story.
So, Clowe gets to continue his hockey career in a different role and the Devils find some use for him. It’s a fair trade-off. Best of luck to Clowe on his new career.
