Report: NHL teams get cap relief if player is suspended under COVID protocols

The NHL says teams will be granted cap relief if a player is suspended for reasons related to COVID-19 protocols, Postmedia reported Thursday. 

“There is no cap charge associated with players who are suspended without pay,” the NHL’s deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to Postmedia.

It follows section 50.10(c) of the NHL’s CBA in which “players that are suspended, either by a Club or by the League, the Player
Salary and Bonuses that are not paid to such Players shall not count against a Club’s Upper Limit or against the Players’ Share for the duration of the suspension.”

The only limitation being the club must have payroll room for a player’s salary and bonuses for when they return.

COVID-19 protocols allow for the suspension of players without pay if they are “unable to participate in club activities” if they are forced to miss games due to being unvaccinated. The Canadian government still requires a quarantine period or the need for mandatory vaccinations to enter sports areas.

Earlier Thursday, Bill Daly told DailyFaceoff’s Frank Seravalli they project 98% of NHL players to be fully vaccinated this season.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.