Why the Canadiens Are Refusing to Use LTIR for Patrik Laine Despite His Long Absence
Photo credit: Columbus Dispatch
Several Montreal Canadiens fans thought they had it all figured out when the team announced the long-term absence of Patrik Laine due to his injury.
It's no secret that Laine suffered a serious injury resulting in 3-4 months absence after surgery. His high salary and cap space seemed to point toward a placement on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR), which would have helped the Canadiens.
But according to TVA Sports journalist Nicolas Cloutier, that assumption is completely false.
He explains that the Canadiens would have no advantage in placing Laine on LTIR for the time being.
Why the Montreal Canadiens Have No Interest in Using LTIR for Patrik Laine According to TVA Sports
According to him, the reason is purely financial.
By keeping Laine simply on the regular injured list, the Canadiens can accumulate cap space day by day.
According to calculations from PuckPedia, Kent Hughes would therefore have around $18 million in flexibility by the trade deadline. 18 million!!!
"The Canadiens currently have no advantage in placing Laine on long-term injured reserve - unless, perhaps, they were to acquire a player who would bring the team close to the salary cap.
In fact, Kent Hughes has every reason to do nothing. By staying patient and keeping Laine only on the regular injured list - not the long-term one - he would have nearly $18 million in cap space at the trade deadline, according to current projections from PuckPedia.
The reason is simple: a team that doesn't use long-term injured reserve can save money daily, gradually increasing its cap flexibility throughout the season. That's why, by the way, the Canadiens were so determined to trade Carey Price during the offseason. Price's departure marked the end of their reliance on long-term injured reserve.
In other words, Laine's injury doesn't change much for the Canadiens financially. The only difference is that the team will need to carry one more salary on the books - for example, that of Joshua Roy."
- Nicolas Cloutier
In fact, Kent Hughes has every reason to do nothing. By staying patient and keeping Laine only on the regular injured list - not the long-term one - he would have nearly $18 million in cap space at the trade deadline, according to current projections from PuckPedia.
The reason is simple: a team that doesn't use long-term injured reserve can save money daily, gradually increasing its cap flexibility throughout the season. That's why, by the way, the Canadiens were so determined to trade Carey Price during the offseason. Price's departure marked the end of their reliance on long-term injured reserve.
In other words, Laine's injury doesn't change much for the Canadiens financially. The only difference is that the team will need to carry one more salary on the books - for example, that of Joshua Roy."
- Nicolas Cloutier
He also reminds readers that new rules were introduced this season following abuses by certain teams in the past.
Now, there are two types of LTIR: one for players who are expected to return and another for those whose season is over.
Since Laine could return before the playoffs, Montreal would gain nothing by activating the clause.
On the contrary, their cap would only increase by a maximum of $3.8 million, which would be pointless given the space they already have.
Thanks to Cloutier for taking the time to explain it all. It's not always easy to understand, especially considering that there seem to be new rules every day!
A complex situation, but one that proves the Canadiens are playing their cards carefully.
TRENDING NOW
