This is probably a stupid question, but when a player retires and they have a few years left on their contract, they get paid JUST their future bonuses for the years they haven't played yet, correct? Or is it both their salaries + bonuses forwarded and paid at that point?

I'm fairly certain it's just the bonuses, but I want to make sure I can load up on their salaries for older players without getting bitten too hard if they retire.

ya their entire remaining bonus counts against the cap for current season. Yearly salary is wiped off the books

beautiful, thank you so much!

I sent an almost identical question to an established GM in one of my leagues and got almost the same reply. I'd be careful in offering big bonuses to long term deals if a player might retire befroe the fulfillment of the contract.