Quoting: Yojimbo
Not that straight forward according to the CBA.
Cap Recapture Penalty
Article 50.5 -Upon that Player’s failure to play in the League by reason of retirement, “defection” from the NHL or otherwise (but not death) (such that he is not playing and is not receiving Salary pursuant to his Long-Term Contract) (assuming it is prior to the conclusion of the Long-Term Contract), the difference between the sum of the Actual Salary and Bonuses received by that Player under that SPC and the sum of the Averaged Amounts charged against the Club’s Averaged Club Salary under that SPC shall be calculated as follows:
(i) First, calculate the total Actual Salary and Bonuses paid to that Player under that SPC (“Total Payment”) until the date of such retirement, defection or otherwise (but not death);
(ii) Second, calculate the total Averaged Amount charged against the Club’s Averaged Club Salary for the Player under that SPC (“Total Cap Charge”) until the date of such retirement, defection or otherwise (but not death);
(iii) Subtract Total Cap Charge from Total Payment. That number shall be referred to as the “Cap Advantage Recapture.”
(iv) The Cap Advantage Recapture shall be charged against the Club’s Averaged Club Salary in equal proportions in each League Year over the remaining term of the SPC (i.e., the yearly charge shall be calculated by dividing the Cap Advantage Recapture by the number of seasons remaining under that SPC).