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NHL considering special exemption for Blue Jackets after tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau
Photo credit: Hockeypatrol Edit/USA Today
With the tragedy of Johnny Gaudreau's passing, the NHL may grant the Columbus Blue Jackets a salary cap exemption.
There are no good words to describe the terrible, grieving feeling that came with the news of Johhny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau both passing away in such a horrific incident. After the unofficial news broke, many fans were set into a panic before the truth was confirmed by reliable sources. Among those to peak out and honor his legacy was his last team in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"The Columbus Blue Jackets are shocked and devastated by this unimaginable tragedy. Johnny was not only a great hockey player, but more significantly a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Meredith, his children, Noa and Johnny, his parents, their family and friends on the sudden loss of Johnny and Matthew.
Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.
Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.
At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve."
Johnny played the game with great joy which was felt by everyone that saw him on the ice. He brought a genuine love for hockey with him everywhere he played from Boston College to the Calgary Flames to Team USA to the Blue Jackets. He thrilled fans in a way only Johnny Hockey could. The impact he had on our organization and our sport was profound, but pales in comparison to the indelible impression he made on everyone who knew him.
Johnny embraced our community when he arrived two years ago, and Columbus welcomed him with open arms. We will miss him terribly and do everything that we can to support his family and each other through this tragedy.
At this time, we ask for prayers for the Gaudreau family and that their privacy be respected as they grieve."
While the team is certainly not the primary issue with the lovingly-called Johnny Hockey's passing, the Columbus Blue Jackets were dealt a troubled hand when it came to their salary cap floor. The team is supposed to be at $65 million ahead of the season to be compliant, but following the tragedy, they are nearly $2.7 million away from the minimum requirements, as reported by Karine Harris of The Hockey News.
"The salary cap floor in the league this season stands at $65 M and with Gaudreau's salary coming off the books, the Ohio outfit finds itself at $62,301,666 M which is to say $2,698,334 M away from being cap compliant."
Though nothing is currently set in stone, there is a chance that Columbus will get some sort of exception due to these extenuating circumstances. Many other North American sports leagues have rules in place to manage teams that either lost a player to injury or death, which could easily apply here. Additionally, the league could decide to grant the team an extension to become cap-compliant heading into the upcoming NHL season.
While there are not a lot of precedents around this scenario, the hockey community came together very quickly to honor Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, and it is hard to imagine the heads of the league will not extend the same compassion. Hopefully, this will be the only time fans have to find out.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 2 | 402 ANSWERS NHL considering special exemption for Blue Jackets after tragic passing of Johnny Gaudreau Will the NHL grant the Columbus Blue Jackets an exemption due to Jonny Gaudreau's passing? | ||
| Yes | 267 | 66.4 % |
| No, an extension | 70 | 17.4 % |
| No, nothing | 65 | 16.2 % |
| List of polls | ||