MAJOR: The Maple Leafs have just obtained a miracle that is almost suspicious in its perfect timing
As mentioned in recent days, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a very tight salary cap situation. Currently, the organization is $12.3 million above the NHL's salary cap limit of $83.5 million.
However, thanks to the Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) designation, the last year of defenseman Jake Muzzin's $5.625 million contract could be deducted from the salary cap. Muzzin is no longer able to play hockey due to multiple head injuries.
Despite the relief from Muzzin's contract, and due to the recent signing of goaltender Ilya Samsonov at $3.55 million, the Leafs still needed to urgently reduce their salary cap in preparation for the upcoming season.
Some experts speculated that the organization might need to buy out the last year of defenseman TJ Brodie's contract, while others believed they might have to pay a contribution to have an undesirable contract absorbed, like that of goaltender Matt Murray.
However, by a fortunate stroke of luck and a happy miracle for Toronto, it has just been announced that Murray will be placed on that aforementioned LTIR, which means his $4.867 million salary will be removed from the team's salary cap.
Indeed, this significant financial deduction comes at an excellent time for the Leafs. While Murray has a reputation for being injury-prone, this stroke of luck strangely comes at the right moment.
Even with this new exception, GM Brad Treliving still needs to find a way to shed two more million dollars to comply with the salary cap.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the LTIR is often used by NHL teams as a convenient way to save contracts? | ||
| Yes | 162 | 97 % |
| No | 5 | 3 % |
| List of polls | ||
