The NHLs long-term injured reserve (LTIR) situation has had fans quite frustrated. Last season, the controversy surrounded the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nikita Kucherov, as they kept him out all season long, only to activate him in the playoffs once the salary cap no longer matters. As everyone knows, they went on to win a Stanley Cup, which angered plenty of fans even more.
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The hope from many was that the NHL would step in and keep the salary cap in place for the postseason in order to avoid this exact situation moving forward, but that hasn’t been the case. As a result, there is another team many believe is exploiting the situation in the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights have been tightly navigating through the league’s maximum salary cap all season long, thanks in large part to the LTIR. The most recent example came on Tuesday night, as they activated Mark Stone and his $9.5 million cap hit, but were only able to do so by placing three players in Laurent Brossoit, William Carrier, and Nolan Patrick on LTIR. Many have taken notice of their cap situation and all of the shuffling that has taken place on their roster, including Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter.
Sutter Throws Shade at Golden Knights
As it turns out, Stone and the Golden Knights are set to face off the Flames on Thursday night at the Saddledome. Due to the matchup, Sutter was asked on Wednesday afternoon about the Golden Knights, who have been red hot as of late as they attempt to get back into a playoff position. The veteran head coach began by complimenting the opposition, as he is known to do, but made sure to throw in a little shade at the end.
Darryl Sutter, head coach of the Calgary Flames (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
“When they have the full squad, they’re the favourites to win the Stanley Cup,” Sutter said. “Other than the team that has the Stanley Cup, they’re the favourites. They have a…
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