Quote:
Originally Posted by JackIsBack
It just takes away options, you don't have the option of sitting multiple guys that aren't playing well or nursing minor issues... life also happens.... people get the flu just a few hours before (or the morning of) a game, or family issues (positive - child birth, or negative - health issues with family) can unexpectedly occur at the last minute.
So in a league where parity was encouraged and every team is just so close up and down the standings... these options take away advantages and can tip the scale... a losing streak can stretch a game or two longer, tired players getting too much ice time can lose a couple games spread over the entire season. This can add up to moving just 4 or 5 games from the win column to the loss one - that's the difference between Colorado finishing 1st to 3rd (where St. Louis finished) ... or Edmonton finishing 2nd to where Vegas was and missing the playoffs.
|
And that's the difference between having some wiggle room of not.
If you are right up against the cap (like EDM), then when the flu hits, or whatever, you're hooped and it is going to have an affect on the team, over the course of 82 games.
On the other hand, if you have wiggle room (like CGY), you can simply bump the roster up to 23 during periods where there are some minor injuries, or flu, or slumps, or whatever.
EDM may try to run with 21 out of necessity - which would have consequences.
The Flames may run with 21 during periods where they can get away with it, so they can build more cap space for the deadline. But wouldn't face those consequences because they could go back to 22 or 23 at any time