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Islanders: Rumor has it that a retirement or LTIR move could happen

By Michel Anderson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: A general view of the ice surface and the New York Islanders logo prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: A general view of the ice surface and the New York Islanders logo prior to the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The latest rumor circling is that a New York Islanders player could be retiring or headed to LTIR.

There was a rumor circling around Twitter on Saturday night that a New York Islanders player could be either retiring or going on long-term injury reserve. If true, that could be the exact type of salary cap breathing room the Islanders need.

What player might be heading to an early retirement or LTIR is, of course, unknown right now. But barring any surprise injuries that player is likely to be

Andrew Ladd

.

The Rumor

On Saturday evening the rumor speculated that a yet unknown Islanders player could either be retiring or could be placed on long-term injury reserve. Either scenario would open up significant cap space for the Islanders (assuming it’s a player on a big contract).

https://twitter.com/incarceratedbob/status/1330322561201266689

Andrew Ladd is the immediate name that comes to mind for a number of reasons. The soon-to-be 35-year-old has played 30 regular-games of a possible 150 games over the past two years for the Islanders.

Injuries have started to add up and have forced Andrew Ladd to the sideline. Meanwhile, the Islanders have carried his $5.5 million cap hit for the last four seasons. That cap hit won’t go away for another three when Ladd’s contract expires. In a flat cap world, carrying a $5.5 million cap hit for a player that can’t play isn’t good cap management.

If Ladd were to retire he would forfeit the rest of his salary which is a total of $3 million ($1 million each year). And his full cap hit would be totally cleared from the books.

LTIR

He could also “retire” which means he is retired in all but name. Usually, this is because a player is too injured to play. Think of Marian Hossa. He’s basically retired, he just hasn’t filed the paperwork yet.

Placing Ladd on LTIR would create some cap space by giving the Islanders to exceed the salary cap ceiling.

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It’s been long speculated that Ladd could go on LTIR or even retire.  The fact that Ladd played a playoff game this season certainly complicates the notion that he can’t play. We’ll see if that actually happens or not.

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