Gary Bettman might be willing to make extra rare exception for Columbus Blue Jackets
Gary Bettman and the NHL might be willing to allow the Columbus Blue Jackets to play next season below the salary cap floor, after the recent tragedy.
Why is this happening? In the wake of the devastating loss taken by the Gaudreau family, the Columbus Blue Jackets are perilously close to falling below the NHL's salary floor, which is set at $65 million.
It'll ultimately be Gary Bettman and the NHL bailing the Blue Jackets out of a bit of a hot mess. The organization is estimated to sit $2.7 million beneath the salary floor, thus putting them below the minimum. There are a couple of bits of language within the NHL rulebook that would allow a team to go below the floor, but it's quite vague.
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Would the NHL actually want to penalize the Blue Jackets for something completely out of their hands? According to The Hockey News journalist Karine Hains, this is an issue the league simply cannot afford to overlook.
"The NBA has a habit of granting exceptions in similar situations, such as the injury exception, which allows teams to replace players who are out for the season due to a serious injury or death.
Given the unique and tragic nature of this situation, the NHL should consider a similar exemption for the Blue Jackets, at least for the 2024-2025 season."
- The Hockey News
Given the unique and tragic nature of this situation, the NHL should consider a similar exemption for the Blue Jackets, at least for the 2024-2025 season."
- The Hockey News
For the present season, 2024-25, the estimates would have the Columbus Blue Jackets reach a payroll of $62.3 million, just shy of the $65 million floor.
Do you think the NHL should allow the Blue Jackets this one-time exception due to the tragedy they are facing? Have your say and vote in our poll below!
| POLL | ||
3 SEPTEMBRE | 122 ANSWERS Gary Bettman might be willing to make extra rare exception for Columbus Blue Jackets Should the NHL and Gary Bettman allow the Blue Jackets to play next season below the salary cap floor? | ||
| Yes | 90 | 73.8 % |
| No | 32 | 26.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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