The taxi squad – a group of four to six players beyond traditional NHL roster limits – is going to be necessary for a few reasons in 2021. For one, we don’t know when or if the AHL will be playing and if it’ll be possible for players from those teams to travel back and forth from their NHL clubs.
The other big factor is the coronavirus, which has led to numerous positive tests in other leagues (like the NFL) causing havoc with active rosters. In some cases, there have even been games postponed. Logistically, it makes sense for NHL teams to have additional players on hand all year.
But the other thing the taxi squad will allow for is some creative accounting practices. It’s clear, after talking to multiple executives the past week, that the new roster rules will be used for more than simply COVID-19 insurance.
Teams will be permitted to repeatedly move players back and forth from the taxi squad – potentially every day. This will be especially true for clubs that need additional cap space.
The biggest thing the taxi squad will allow for is smaller NHL rosters.
In a typical season, teams usually carry 22 or 23 players, with the two or three extras serving as “healthy scratches” in games they don’t play. Occasionally teams will dip down to the minimum 20 players – 18 skaters and two goalies – but it’s usually temporary and only in extreme circumstances.
Teams often have last-minute injuries and, especially when on the road, they need those extra players there to fill in. It’s not always possible to call someone up from the minors quickly, given most NHL teams are in different cities than their AHL affiliates.
With a taxi squad of up to six extra players on hand, however, this practice won’t be necessary. If someone is hurt or falls ill at a morning skate, teams will be able to simply pull from the taxi squad – a group that doesn’t count against the cap – rather than having an extra player always on the roster.