Salary cap rule change has been announced by Gary Bettman for the Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has stepped in and announced a salary cap rule change for the Columbus Blue Jackets following the heartbreaking tragedy of the Gaudreau brothers.
This offseason has been especially hard for the Blue Jackets who not only lost a beloved teammate and leader but also their best player. On top of that the team now has to fix their salary cap situation. Originally they were expected to hit the $65 million salary cap floor by October 7, but with Gaudreau's $9.5 Million no longer part of their payroll the NHL has offered a helping hand.
According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the league has officially waived the cap floor deadline, giving the Blue Jackets more time to adjust. While they still need to become cap compliant, the NHL is allowing them to do so within a reasonable tim" given the tragic circumstances.
This gesture from the NHL acknowledges that the team has been dealing with far more than just roster management. The Blue Jackets were originally above the cap floor before the tragic passing of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, so now, GM Don Waddell will have some extra breathing room to make moves. Whether through free agency, trades, or waiver pickups, the team will eventually fill out their roster. For now though the NHL has wisely chosen to ease the pressure on the organization as they continue to mourn and rebuild.
