The Vegas Golden Knights had a busy week ahead of the trade deadline. Just like last year, when their trade deadline additions helped them to a Stanley Cup, they traded for some huge names to boost their squad heading into the playoffs.
Vegas traded for Anthony Mantha before landing one of the best available defensemen in Noah Hanifin. They also made a surprise move for Tomas Hertl in the final hours of the trade deadline.
Since the Vegas Golden Knights entered the league, they have made themself known for being buyers in the spring and sellers come summer.
And it’s been made possible by some creativity regarding the team’s long-term injured reserve. The Golden Knights currently have some big players, including Mark Stone and Robin Lehner, on the LTIR. With the salary cap not a factor in the playoffs, there’s hope for Mark Stone to return in time for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs without it affecting the team’s salary cap.
Mark Stone was on LTIR last spring as well but was back in time for Game 1, and lately, fans have raised issues with how the Golden Knights are handling the LTIR.
Earlier this week, TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette called the team out during a live broadcast. He didn’t question whether Stone’s injury was real or not but said that questions need to be asked if he, for the second year straight, is suddenly healthy enough to play come the postseason.
But on Monday, Vegas’ GM Kelly McCrimmon talked about the Golden Knights’ current situation on the Jeff Marek Show, and slammed back at anyone accusing them of cheating the system.
”This year, he has a lacerated spleen … Google last lacerated spleen and see if you can tell when a player is going to be back. It’s ridiculous to suggest that these weren’t significant injuries or aren’t significant injuries and furthermore, the National Hockey League polices all of this so the rules are rules and the NHL watches this very carefully,” McCrimmon said. ”Last year we had Mark Stone’s $9.5 million on LTIR, we acquired Ivan Barbashev, Jonathan Quick and Teddy Blueger. I would suggest to you we probably could have acquired all three players without Mark Stone on LTIR.”
However, McCrimmon’s comments were met with mixed responses on social media. Many fans felt that he didn’t address the real issue.
”No one doubts the severity of the injuries. What everyone doubts is the change in the severity of the injury as the date changes from game 82 of the regular season to game 1 of the playoffs,” one comment that gained a lot of likes said.
”I can only speak for myself, but it’s not that I don’t believe these injuries aren’t real. It’s just incredibly convenient that these players don’t get medically cleared until after the regular season. Who’s to say Stone won’t be fully recovered on game 82, and Vegas decides to hold him out?” another said, suggesting that third-party doctors should monetize players on LTIR.
”Third party doctors verify the initial injury, but is there any consistent monitoring of these players over the duration of their stay on LTIR?”
Another commenter said:
”The most conveniently injured team I’ve ever seen in my life. In terms of timelines and maximum amount of cap relief.”
