Toronto Maple Leafs Utilize Loophole in the NHL, Sending Down Another Defenseman
How do you keep players in game shape without sacrificing a roster spot or success? You exploit the NHL's biggest open secret.
There are several factors in building an NHL roster, and often there are a few players who are on the outside looking in.
Whether it's due to age, team needs, or a lack of production; some guys just don't play as much. But a team can't risk these players being rusty or chancing injury by being out for so long.
So how do you go about giving a player a chance without it being a detriment to your team? A very simple exploit: A Conditioning Loan.
Per NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, the Toronto Maple Leafs could have used the exploit to get defenseman Philippe Myers some game time and keep him fresh as a means to keep him healthy and give him a look as the team is reportedly very high on the defenseman.
Well, they didn't make that move for Hakanpaa, who recently debuted. But Friedman has some wild foresight and could double as a psychic, as it was announced Toronto is sending Myers to the AHL.
The Open Secret
But this isn't the first, nor will it be the last when it comes to exploiting this loophole. While it's reserved normally for players who are injured and trying to get back into game shape (such as when Hakanpaa went on his stint) there is no real rule against using it to send a scratched player to get some reps.
The player does need to consent to the loan, and the team does need to pay him as if he were an NHL player, so there's no funny business when it comes to waivers or trying to evade the cap. There's no reason to keep three guys in the press box so why not send them to keep fresh?
The CBA states:
If the Commissioner has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Conditioning Loan to evade Waivers, or otherwise Circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take such disciplinary action against the Club, as he deems appropriate.
The Player shall continue, during the period of such Conditioning Loan, to receive the same Paragraph 1 NHL Salary, and be entitled to the same benefits, that he would have received had he continued to play with the Club"
So What Has History Taught Us?
So far, it's taught us that the NHL is very relaxed when it comes to certain things, and very hardline when it comes to others. The conditioning loan loophole? Totally fine, but don't go trying to talk to other players before July 1.
The CBA of the NHL is a very lengthy, legally exhausting read. There are so many different subsections which could lead several people to overlook some things. But the general managers of the league know it front to back and can use it to their advantage when they deem it necessary.
The NHL is fine with it too, because if everyone does it; then it's fair.
