from Wayne Scanlan of Senators Extra,

The “tween” years can be awkward.

No longer a boy, not quite a mature man.

So it goes in the NHL as well, where players on the verge of big things – but perhaps not quite there yet – are negotiating second contracts.

There was a time when entry level deals were the league problem child, teams lavishing riches on draft picks just starting to shave. A couple of CBAs ago, the NHL clamped down on first contracts, restricting them to two-way deals with a limit of $925,000 per season (the ceiling for 2011 draftees).

Mission accomplished. Except that now the second contracts – often “bridge” deals to a third, lasting agreement – have become extremely awkward for clubs trying to compensate potential stars without breaking their salary structure. On the player’s side, they’ve complied for three years, provided outstanding value in many cases while earning less than $1 million, and now they’re anxious to get paid.

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