With the 2020-21 NHL season looking slightly more promising, the league is trying to find ways to keep teams ready in the time of a COVID-19 pandemic. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, NHL rosters could be expanded and the NHL is apparently studying a concept that would affect how the extra players count on the roster.
The rumored roster size for this season is 26 players, but that comes with some side effects. The new concept for the extra forward, defenseman, and goaltender would be to be able to clear waivers and not go to the AHL. They would be able to make AHL salary, but they would receive NHL money by the day.
This seems like it would be a great spot to put veterans in these spots in order to save cap space and allow for younger players to step up into these roles. Some veteran players from the AHL may also be given an opportunity in this spot, where they may be able to take the next step and become an everyday NHL player.
Wrote last week rosters could be 26 players. They're studying a concept where the extra forward, defenceman and goaltender clear waivers but not go to the AHL. Those players would receive AHL salary and NHL per diem. Makes sense to keep veterans in those spots.— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) December 17, 2020
It is expected that the NHL season will start on January 13, playing a 56-game season with newly aligned divisions. In what will likely be one of the weirdest seasons in NHL history, why not throw another curveball to teams and see if they can smack it out of the park?
