REPORT: NHL sends memo to teams warning them against specific trades

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Dorin Canaday
February 28, 2023 (10:52)

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Gary Bettman and the NHL made a major announcement Tuesday morning, as it's being reported that a memo was sent to all 32 teams that warns them against circumventing the salary cap.

For reference, the Tampa Bay Lightning were famous for this type of move over recent years. Most notably, when Nikita Kucherov sat out the whole season until game one of the playoffs, allowing them to add players with the LTIR space.

However, that may be no more, as Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff shared the news:

Sources: #NHL sent memo to 32 GMs today advising that acquiring injured players at the deadline to stash them on cap until playoffs will be «closely scrutinized» for cap circumvention.

This might take Nyquist and Henrique out of play, unless they can come back before end of szn.

Although a memo was sent to every team, TSN's Chris Johnston believes the league isn't banning these types of deals entirely.

''While the NHL isn't outright banning any such moves, it says it will investigate transacations to see if they consistute circumvention of the CBA.''

�'What has some teams upset is these trades have been permitted in the past. For example, the #leafs acquired Riley Nash while he was recovering from a sprained knee in April 2021 and didn't activate him until the playoffs.''

This could have major implications on this year's Trade Deadline, which is just two days away. Especially with how tight teams are against the cap as is.