The NHL's Latest Rule Changes Could Derail the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup Push

The NHL have implemented rule changes involving the salary cap, and they could now reportedly impact the Oilers and their Stanley Cup chase.

After years of teams circumventing the salary cap through LTIR loopholes, Gary Bettman and the NHL have put an end to that, reportedly putting in place a playoff salary cap that looks to stop that.

On top of that, the league have also limited double retention moves and paper transactions, all of which will effect the Oilers, a team that are close to the cap in their chase for the Stanley Cup.

Playoff Salary Cap, Trade Restrictions, and No Paper Moves Explained

What that essentially means for the Oilers is that they can't take advantage of the LTIR rules by placing a player on Long Term Injured Reserve and recall them before the playoffs begin, something that Vegas, Tampa Bay and Florida have all done in recent years.

On top of that, they're unable to acquire a player that has had money retained more than once, which is a loophole some teams have used to get a player for cheap, and finally, no paper transactions means that a team can't send someone to the minor leagues on their day off to save money, which is something teams have done for years now.