Michael Stuart: Kucherov Returns from Injured Reserve, Lifts Lightning Past Panthers

Kuch shouldn't be eligible. Clear manipulation of the cap. The league better investigate this.

Kuch shouldn't be eligible. Clear manipulation of the cap. The league better investigate this.
- wreckage

I'm sure they'll get on it right away.

If the NY Rangers exploited a loophole in the rules the way the Lightning have skirted the Salary Cap, you can bet the rule would be changed IMMEDIATELY.

Truth hurts....

Great game! 👍

That was a fun back and forth game. Glad the Bolts came out on the winning side. If the series is like this every game its going to a wild ride.

- McDonough should’ve been tossed (major) extended PP for Panthers…Bennett as well later in game. But an extended PP at the start for FLA would’ve changed the game. Maybe.

- both teams got away stuff for sure. But man does TBay seem to be a sweetheart team.

- FLA goal should’ve counted

- it’s different because they didn’t technically break the rules, but Tampa has an Astros feel to me. Naturally want to root against them.

If the NY Rangers exploited a loophole in the rules the way the Lightning have skirted the Salary Cap, you can bet the rule would be changed IMMEDIATELY.

Truth hurts....
- TommyGTrain

Persecuted team post. *yawn*

Big win. Love Playoff Point.

of course he returned there was nothing wrong with him. just needed to clear that cap violation first

Great game! 👍
- gergeswillems

It was the best game of the weekend but they were all great! First round is the best!

of course he returned there was nothing wrong with him. just needed to clear that cap violation first
- Shynes57

Of course who returned?

Easily the best game of the playoffs so far. The back and forth was awesome.

Of course who returned?
- Justbecause

Uh, Jan Rutta?

If the NY Rangers exploited a loophole in the rules the way the Lightning have skirted the Salary Cap, you can bet the rule would be changed IMMEDIATELY.

Truth hurts....
- TommyGTrain

...no?

people crying about Kucherov playing are just the best............

what you guys are really saying is.....i wish our GM was smart enough to understand the rules and what can and can't be done.

people crying about Kucherov playing are just the best............

what you guys are really saying is.....i wish our GM was smart enough to understand the rules and what can and can't be done.
- sensarmy_11

Right? Every GM would be doing the same poop.

people crying about Kucherov playing are just the best............

what you guys are really saying is.....i wish our GM was smart enough to understand the rules and what can and can't be done.
- sensarmy_11

How is it being smart? What it's actually saying is that Tampa is so good they can lose 100+ point players for whole seasons and win constantly.

people crying about Kucherov playing are just the best............

what you guys are really saying is.....i wish our GM was smart enough to understand the rules and what can and can't be done.
- sensarmy_11

So if the leafs had to IR Matthews next year to fit under the cap because he had an injury that should have only kept him out half the season, but did so the entire season to keep cap compliant you would have 0 issue with it?

I was really impressed with the speed and ferocity of both teams yesterday. Seemed to be in a higher gear than the other games this weekend.

So if the leafs had to IR Matthews next year to fit under the cap because he had an injury that should have only kept him out half the season, but did so the entire season to keep cap compliant you would have 0 issue with it?
- wreckage

How long did this season last? Jan to May = 4 months
When did Kucherov have his surgery? End of December
What's the expected recovery time for that surgery? 4-6 months
How much time has elapsed? dec to may = ~5 months

So imaging trying to claim that Kucherov recovering and returning within the expected time frame is somehow rule breaking without a shadow of a doubt? Can anybody confirm that he was 100% ready to go a month ago? Can anybody confirm he's 100% now? Kucherov & the Lightning have done nothing wrong other than following the rules and procedures in place.

LTIR Is going to be studied this summer and I'm sure the league will close the loopholes. Hell of a game last night, I want more of that between Fla. TB.

Bennett got screwed on the opening goal. I'm a Wild fan but I won't miss a minute of the battle of Florida.

it's entirely possible that Kucherov was legitimately injured and required exactly this amount of recovery time.

it's also complete bullpoop that a team is allowed to compete in the playoffs with a $100 million salary cap hit.

people crying about Kucherov playing are just the best............

what you guys are really saying is.....i wish our GM was smart enough to understand the rules and what can and can't be done.
- sensarmy_11

It can be both a smart move AND cap circumvention. In fact, the definition of 'circumvention' even describes such:

"the action of overcoming a problem or difficulty, typically in a clever and surreptitious way"

Whether you care to admit it or not, that's what this looks like and it's likely that explicit rules will be made against this sort of thing.

Bennett got screwed on the opening goal. I'm a Wild fan but I won't miss a minute of the battle of Florida.
- Shady1962

'
How do you figure? Bennett push Vas' pad preventing him from making the save. It was clear interference.