The seldom-used trade deadline rule that could impact the Golden Knights’ salary cap situation – The Athletic

The NHLs 2022 trade deadline is on March 21, and as the Golden Knights inch closer to that day, theyre juggling a lot.

Vegas total cap hit of $91.5 million soars far above the limit of $81.5 million. As of now, the Golden Knights have close to $15.5 million sitting on long-term injured reserve, which allows them to be cap compliant. The majority of that belongs to Mark Stone ($9.5 million cap hit), who is out with a back injury that has bothered him for some time, and with no concrete timetable for his return. Stone has seen several specialists and has received very little clarity. Speaking with sources around the team and league, the sense I get is that most expect Stone to miss the rest of the regular season, but that is not definite at this point.

Alec Martinez and his $5.25 million in cap hit also are on LTIR. Like with Stone, Martinezs head injury is making it increasingly difficult to pinpoint a specific return date. The initial injury appeared to just be a laceration from a skate blade. It was serious, requiring more than 50 stitches, but usually those types of injuries dont keep players out for long. Martinezs symptoms seem to border on being concussion-related, and whatever is keeping him out of the lineup seems to have the team searching for answers. On Nov. 16, coach Peter DeBoer said he didnt think Martinezs return would be too far away, and its obviously taking much longer.

The Golden Knights predicament extends beyond just the difficulties of replacing two key players in their lineup.

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The seldom-used trade deadline rule that could impact the Golden Knights' salary cap situation - The Athletic