Quote:
Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction
They would have had to dump salary. Since the trade deadline had passed, it would have meant waiving enough salary to add Kucherov back to the line-up.
Tampa would have been stupid to activate him sooner, but based on a report from one of Tampa's practices before the end of the season, he was going full throttle. By the letter of the law, if he was ready, they should have activated him and dealt with the consequences. The thing is, it's hard to prove and the NHL didn't seem compelled to dig into it too hard.
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Yeah I agree, how would the NHL prove it? Can't say I know the ins and outs of the process so I am just guessing, but if the TB team doctor (under instruction from management) argues he needs to be kept out for another couple weeks for his long term health how would they dispute it? Even if NHL has their own objective doctors to investigate, it's one medical professional's word against another.
No player wants to sit out if they are healthy. So it's not like he sat out for months healthy. But if you are getting instruction from management to sit for just two more weeks so your team has a better chance in the playoffs what player is going to stand up and say 'FU, I'm playing!'?
The fact is it's within the NHL rules, it's just TB taking advantage of the rules. I am still comfortable calling them cheaters.