New York Islanders can get rid of Andrew Ladd with free compliance buyout

When the NHL eventually resumes, the league may give each team a mulligan on a bad contract. the New York Islanders could use theirs to finally rid themselves of Andrew Ladd.

While the hockey world is on a long pause, the biggest topics of conversation are nostalgia and rumors. Today, we focus on the latter. Money is the issue and the rumors are flying about a free compliance buyout. Something that would benefit the New York Islanders tremendously.

The NHL salary cap is based on hockey-related revenue. There has been no hockey for almost a month due to a ban on public events aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. As each day in lockdown slowly passes, hopes for some kind of modified Stanley Cup Playoffs running through the summer fade away.

Additionally, the economy is in a deep hole, fans aren’t rushing to buy merchandise either. Revenues are way down. Since the cap is based on revenue, the NHL and NHL Players Association have a huge problem. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly was recently interviewed by TSN in Canada. Many topics were covered however he was asked specifically about the impact of this stoppage will have on the cap. Daly was noncommittal.

"“When we get to the end of this and when we understand what we’re looking at and what we’re trying to accomplish, obviously we’re going to sit down with the NHLPA we’re going to have to negotiate a transition to what we’re trying to accomplish. That is clearly something that is in our future, but I think both sides recognize that and welcome that challenge.”"

There are teams up against the current $81.5M cap as it is. Any lowering of it will put those clubs in a bind. One of the solutions bandied about on the rumor mill is that each team gets a free compliance buyout of a contract, that will not completely or partially count against the cap. That would be welcome news to the New York Islanders.