I think it's a pretty smooth move by the Pens. You sign him up for 8.7 million. Surely he's worth that for his on ice, off ice, ticket selling, advertising ability. If the new CBA has a rollback his contract gets included in it (I would think) and you get him for whatever % less. If you wait until after a possible rollback you still would need to sign him for the 8.7 million aye?