Bill Daly Reveals Major News on NHL LTIR Loophole
Photo credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
NHL Deputy Commisioner Bill Daly recently revealed that there may be some big changes coming to the rules as it regards to the LTIR and its future in the league.
As the NHL comes into their new talks along with the NHLPA as the CBA looks to expire next September, there's a lot that may be changed when it comes to things like the All-Star Weekend, salary cap increases, and Olympic talk.
But one issue that may be a really big talking point is the issue of the long-term injured reserved, known colloquially as the LTIR. It's a way to alleviate salary cap by placing injured players on an extended absence in order to open up roster space, add money, and give them the chance to heal.
However, there are some teams who use it way more than others and it might be a really sneaky workaround to the salary cap, especially those feeling the crunch.
But according to NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, it's going to be something the league looks at closely going forward, with the possibility of some big changes ahead.
LTIR May Be Modified Or Downright Eliminated: Bill Daly
Speaking on the Leafs Morning Take podcast, Daly was asked about if the NHL is going to look at changing the LTIR, as some may find that the advantages it brings can lead to much less competition and mentioned the league wants to take a look:
It's definitely an issue that I would say a majority of our general managers would like us to try to address in a meaningful way. This has been an evolution rule that has been the same since we negotiated the cap in 2005. I don't think it's ever been a huge loophole.
Having said that, I think the way it's evolving is not positive for the game and so ultimately I do think it's something that needs to be addressed.
Having said that, I think the way it's evolving is not positive for the game and so ultimately I do think it's something that needs to be addressed.
It would be a really interesting caveat for the league to modify the rules and see if the teams who are often using the loophole can adapt.
Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs often use the LTIR in order to open up their minimal cap space, and while it helps them out; what happens to the teams who don't have that luxury?
You can't just throw someone on LTIR without just cause, and the fact that teams can almost hedge a bet on an oft-injured player and hope that signing them for cheap can open up a roster spot for a different player later on if given the chance.
Personally, it's not the biggest issue in the world, and it's really not something that's come to light except for the past couple of seasons. The rule has been around for 20 years, and no one blinked an eye, but much like trends; one team does it and others follow, leading to an over-saturation.
But we won't know what's going on until the league ratifies a new CBA with the Players Association, but expect teams to have to modify how they've done things for the last 20 years.
If you want to believe the NHL, that is.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 5 | 423 ANSWERS Bill Daly Reveals Major News on NHL LTIR Loophole Do you think the NHL needs to stop teams from exploiting the LTIR for salary cap purposes? | ||
| Yes | 354 | 83.7 % |
| No | 69 | 16.3 % |
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