A look at the transaction report for the Hershey Bears shows an alarming amount of movement for Paul Carey. But they’re all just “paper transactions” and this case has left many wondering just how this is possible with the rules in place after the trade deadline which limit the number of players moved between AHL and NHL affiliates. Here’s a quick look at how it’s possible.
Article 13.12 (l) in the Collective Bargaining Agreement states, “During the period following 3:00 p.m. New York time of the fortieth (40th) day immediately preceding the final day of the Regular Season, and continuing through and including the last day of the Regular Season, no Player may be Recalled from Loan to a club of any league affiliated with the NHL.”
There are three noted exceptions to that rule.
- A club may have four regular recalls from it’s affiliates provided the player is listed on the NHL club’s reserve list. Many clubs stop at three though due to rule 13.12 (n) which we’ll get to later.
- Players may be recalled under 13.12(m) which deals with Emergency Recalls.
- Players may be recalled once the affiliate’s season ends – in this case, if the Bears miss out on the AHL playoffs, players could be recalled after Hershey’s final game, April 15.
According to 13.12(n)(i), upon the conclusion of the affiliate’s season, NHL teams may recall an unlimited number of players provided they had no more than three regular recalls following the trade deadline. In Washington’s case, they currently have three – Riley Barber, Jakub Vrana, and Paul Carey.
Then there is the strange case of the Pittsburgh Penguins who have had to exercise recalls under 13.12(m). 13.12(m) states.
“(i) A Player on Loan to a club of any league affiliated with the League may be Recalled from such Loan under emergency conditions at any time for the duration of the emergency only following which he must be returned promptly to the club from which he was Recalled.
(ii) Emergency conditions shall be established when the playing strength of the Loaning Club, by reason of incapacitating injury or illness or by League suspension to its Players is reduced below the level of two (2) goalkeepers, six (6) defensemen and twelve (12) forwards. Proof of the existence of the emergency conditions including the incapacity shall be furnished to the Commissioner of the League upon request made by him.
(iii) For the purpose of establishing the existence of emergency conditions at any time, to support the Recall of a Player for participation in any Playoff Game, it shall be deemed that the Player(s) on Loan following 3:00 p.m. New York time of the fortieth (40th) day immediately preceding the last day of the Regular Season are continuing on Loan for the remainder of the season notwithstanding that the Loaned club(s) may have been eliminated from further play for the season.”
Since March 8th, Pittsburgh has eight recalls (Pouliot, Sestito, Gaunce, Sundqvist, Archibald, Corrado, Warsofsky, and Simon) and several injuries. Yet people seem to be concerned with the Carey transactions. Carey is Washington’s third recall – don’t worry about the number of times he seemingly has traveled back and forth. He hasn’t. He’s in Washington, not stuck fighting traffic on the Beltway. The Capitals are just ensuring that they stay below the salary cap. It’s all entirely legal, according to the CBA.
By Julie Beidler
Well @Mitchy1_0 changed up themes – he’s skiing tonight pic.twitter.com/5ut5L1NIJ4
— Beids (@juliebeidler) April 2, 2017
