I would say I told you so, but even I didn’t think it would happen this fast.
Cap-strapped Devils will ice 9 forwards vs. Penguins – Puck Daddy – NHL – Yahoo! Sports
The New Jersey Devils and Lou Lamoriello should feel somewhat humiliated today. Yes, injuries happen […]But to be unable to replace [injured] players due to financial constraints is a titanic bit of salary cap miscalculation. To ice a lineup featuring nine forwards, along with six defenseman and two goaltenders, for a crucial division home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins (4 p.m. ET) today is inexcusable. […] If there’s any defense of Lou, it’s that the Ilya Kovalchuk contract mess tied his hands this summer on making a cap-influenced trade to cut salary; now, when players on long-term injured reserve return, he’ll have to force a move to get under the cap. […] But that’s the only defense. Otherwise, this is a franchise that’s gone from rolling four lines to win championships to one that can only afford three.
I don’t see how that’s a defense of Lou. That’s his problem.
It will be interesting to see if anyone thinks the Devils are playing fast and loose with Bryce Salvador‘s LTIR status. Since, you know, that would be a circumvention.