Because of growing concerns over the manner in which teams are locking up players to front-loaded, long-term contracts, the NHL has launched an investigation into the recent signings of Marian Hossa and Chris Pronger, sources told ESPN.com. The NHL will hire an outside firm to determine whether the Blackhawks and Flyers discussed a timeline for Hossa's or Pronger's potential retirement before the long-term contracts were signed. At the end of the investigation the NHL will decide whether to pursue charges against the the teams for circumventing the collective bargaining agreement. The teams could face fines, the loss of draft picks or both.