The NHL is Crumbling Due to It’s Own Invention

After the lockout shortened 2004-05 season, the NHL established a hard salary cap.

While it has steadily increased since, this implementation has now essentially ruined the trade market.

Per CapFriendly, 17 of the NHL's 32 teams are currently sitting over the maximum allowed $82.5-million salary cap. This is due to the utilization of the long-term injured reserve.

Only 3 teams in the league have enough cap room to make big moves, those being the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, and Arizona Coyotes.

Due to the pandemic, the salary cap has only increased by $1-million over the past three years.

With no room to make player moves due to the salary cap, GM's are unhappy. NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman shared this sentiment with the public.

«We'd all like to make a bleeping trade,» one GM said. »But there's no room to do it.»

Unfortunately, we may see less movement than usual at this years' trade deadline. This will make both fans and general managers unhappy.

Source: Blade of Steel

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