Quote:
Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers
We all agree that Valimaki could have likely played one game last season to be eligible for expansion right? There are plenty of articles that say outright that the Flames shouldn’t play him regardless of health to avoid expansion. Even though he wasn’t 100%, we don’t think he could have played a game 10 months after surgery??? He was supposed to be out a year. But if we expect Kucherov to return months before his expected date for team structure reasons and not his health, then why is it fair to not dress Valimaki for one game at the end of the season?
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This, plus we have no idea what the “correct” date for his return would have been. Should TB have been forced to play him at 80%? Or do they get to wait until he’s 100%, and who decides that? What if he’s 100% only a week prior to the end of the season. Teams are always getting criticized for forcing players to dress when they say their not ready, or rushing players back from rehab.
Kane was supposed to miss the POs until the western final when he went on LTIR. he made it back for game one of the POs. Meanwhile the Hawks added 3 players that matched his salary.
Price didn’t play for a month. But he comes back and posts a .972 in game one of the POs? I bet he was ready a little before then. Gallagher - same.
Maybe the rules need to change. But until they do, I don’t blame TB or any other team for playing within them.