But how can you say that a player is ever 'healthy'? Professional players play through injuries frequently. How many players wait until they're 100% game shape before they get activated? Tampa's plan was always going to be having Kucherov available for the playoffs. Without his LTIR flexibility, the team couldn't have operated during the regular season.Dude, he had hip surgery just a few months ago. Calling him healthy is completely inaccurate.
How many 'healthy' NHL players would qualify for LTIR today if they could be convinced to take the time off? There are dozens of 'long-term' injuries being played through in this league.
For this very reason the LTIR is a farce. No salary cap and Kucherov is playing.
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