Latest NHL rule puts Maple Leafs divisional rival at a disadvantage ahead of trade deadline
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The NHL cracked down on making sure teams couldn't overload in the playoffs and that's come back to haunt the Florida Panthers as one key deal is holding them back.
One of the big things that came out of the new CBA rules and restrictions was the implementation of a playoff salary cap, where teams needed to be cap compliant based off the regular season number and no longer can load up with a non-existent cap.
A team that has been a huge beneficiary of this system is the Florida Panthers, as they have been able to make blockbuster deals with the money saved from LTIR relief, then get their full squad back for the playoffs with no repercussions.
Florida's path to the Cup much harder thanks to new salary cap rules
However, they really can't do that this season and if they are looking to get captain Aleksander Barkov back for the playoffs then they don't have the room to make a deal -- according to Pierre LeBrun.
Yeah, another team making calls, two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers...Bill Zito, the GM, has ramped up his calls around the league. He can't force anything, he doesn't want to force anything.
But certainly the Panthers would like to make a deal to help their team. The other thing I'd say is that they're up against it cap wise.
All the injuries they've had have really eaten into their accrued cap space. They have to keep space open for Sasha Barkov if he's back for the playoffs, so they don't have a lot of room to maneuver here.
And by the way, that's if they make the playoffs.
But certainly the Panthers would like to make a deal to help their team. The other thing I'd say is that they're up against it cap wise.
All the injuries they've had have really eaten into their accrued cap space. They have to keep space open for Sasha Barkov if he's back for the playoffs, so they don't have a lot of room to maneuver here.
And by the way, that's if they make the playoffs.
It would be a stunning turnaround to see the back-to-back Stanley Cup winners miss the playoffs entirely, and it's not hard to see why as they have been ravaged by injuries.
Barkov has missed the entire season so far after getting hurt in training camp and there was serious doubt that he could be back this year. He's got the potential to, but that will make life hard for Florida.
Bad news for Florida, great news for Toronto
We know Bill Zito is not shy about making a big splash and somehow always finds a way, so if he wants to do something this year he needs to get creative and try to find diamonds in the rough; a lot easier said than done.
Which is huge news for the Maple Leafs, who are ahead of the Panthers in the standings and if they can at least keep pace, maybe get on a hot streak; even sneaking into a wild card would be a massive win.
If they were able to get someone like Dougie Hamilton for a package that doesn't rob them of their top assets, then it could be enough to not only stretch the lead on Florida, but it also gives them a huge wave of confidence.
Not just because they managed to squeak their way into the playoffs but because they don't have to worry about Florida, which could be the key to them making it past not only the first round (if lucky) but the second round too.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Brad Treliving didn't seem pleased with how the Rasmus Andersson trade played out
Brad Treliving didn't seem pleased with how the Rasmus Andersson trade played out