Topics in this edition of the PHR Mailbag include the creative usage of LTIR in recent years, Buffalo’s goaltending situation, J.T. Miller’s future with Vancouver, and much more. If your question doesn’t appear here and wasn’t about Detroit, watch for it in next weekend’s mailbag. If your question was about the Red Wings, watch for that to be covered in a bonus mailbag between now and then.
WilfPaiement: Is there any updated information on Oscar Klefbom? Playing next season? Retiring?
It’s the status quo for the Edmonton blueliner. Klefbom’s shoulder injury still lingers and at this point, there’s no expectation that he’ll be able to resume his NHL career. He certainly won’t be retiring, however. He’s still owed $5.169MM in salary for next season and there’s no way he’s leaving that on the table to do Edmonton a favor. Since his deal is backloaded as well, he’s not as likely of a candidate to be moved to a team looking to do some LTIR shenanigans. Speaking of which…
rickg: Are there any opinions on how teams are using the LTIR for the purpose of adding to the roster to better the team, instead of what the LTIR was intended to be used for as a way to replace an injured player on your roster if your team was maxed out and LTIR allowed the team to go past the high-end cap threshold?
There are few things as confusing in hockey as the inner machinations of LTIR. It might even give ‘What constitutes goalie interference?’ a run for its money at times. I’d say by now that most understand the basics which was what the rule was intended to be but these trades that now see injured players going for value that involve transaction sequencing and precise timing of roster moves takes it to a whole different level, one that is much more confusing and harder to explain.
But even if they’re harder to explain, are stranger on the surface, and can even flat out baffle people, I have no problem with these types of moves. The NHL is a hard cap system that doesn’t have a lot of potential for wiggle room. If teams can find a loophole to exploit, go for it. Use it until enough general managers complain to make it a sticking point in the next CBA discussions. Right now, there isn’t enough of an appetite for trying to close that Pandora’s box.
Does the recent Shea Weber for Evgenii Dadonov trade go against the spirit of the LTIR rule? Of course it does. But if Montreal and Vegas are both happy at the end of the day and the trade fulfills an objective they wanted to achieve, then good on them for finding a way to make something work. At least it made for a good discussion point for a bit of time during a quiet part of the NHL calendar when it comes to off-ice movement.
I’ll mention that this question came in before that trade happened. Perfect timing on your part.
Johnny Z: So, does Blashill have the inside track on the Florida coaching job?
The former Detroit bench boss was linked to the Panthers earlier this month but at this point, it’s hard to see him being the contender for a position that may or may not be available. With reports coming out on Friday that Florida is conducting a rather thorough coaching search and has interviewed several prominent veterans, it’s hard to see Jeff Blashill coming up as the winner in that particular battle should GM Bill Zito opt to go in a different direction from interim head coach Andrew Brunette.
I think Blashill could be a candidate to be an assistant coach with Florida, however, particularly if Brunette retains the job. There are openings to be filled and if you have effectively a first-time head coach running the bench, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone with recent NHL head coaching experience on the staff. Blashill, who doesn’t seem to be a candidate for any of the other openings at the moment, would be a decent fit in that type of role and unlike the prominent veterans, would likely be willing to accept…
Read More: Klefbom, LTIR, Blashill, Top Pick, Miller, Sabres, Predictions, Murray, Cup