Ya I was just using it as an example.lmao the main reason i'm so rattled is because Im a leafs fan, and this is our best chance in years, and Tampas lineup + kucherov is terrifying.

Oh man. I was pissed when the Blackhawks were adding in 2015. I get it. Leafs are looking great. I won't be surprised if they get "goalied" by Price or Hellebuyck considering Leaf's playoff luck in recent times.

Lots of inaccuracies in here. Kucherov noticed the problem with his hip the first week of December, not in November or earlier. They attempted a round or two of cortisone injections to see if it could be managed without surgery, but they didn't work. Tampa had a deal in place to move Tyler Johnson from all reports, but then it was determined Kuch would need surgery and thus Tampa could use ltir. The surgery was the last week of December and his recovery time is on pace with several other players who had a torn hip labrum. Tampa has circumvented nothing, and while they may not make a deadline move, they could and should add a depth rd or ld, depending on if they want Serg more on the right or left come playoff time.

Ya TBL fans have somewhat convinced me that you guys aren't actually circumventing considering the late surgery and the fact the league is probably watching(I will say it is kind of sketch That kucherov participated in practice today, but Im not a doctor.)

I am more just kind of shocked that it's possible to be significantly over the cap in the playoffs

TBH I also would not be surprised, I can already see going out in the first because Price somehow pulled of a .940

Couldn’t the same be said about NJ with Kovalchuk’s contract? If he’s healthy he has to come off LTIR per CBA if the doctors or Kuch fudge those until they’re cap compliant they should be punished but the league would need evidence of that tampering.

Agreed. But Kuch is still injured. Yes he's skating but far from being healthy.

I get it. I was merely commenting on a poorly worded comment that implies it’s okay to break rules if the rules don’t specifically say you can’t do X. This reality is the CBA has to have not only the team doctor but an independent doctor sign off on the injury. Can this be manipulated? Sure, to a certain extent.