The NHL and NHLPA have reportedly given the Columbus Blue Jackets instructions on how to manage the salary cap following the death of star player Johnny Gaudreau.
According to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the Blue Jackets will not need to be above the salary cap floor by the roster deadline of Oct. 7.
Portzline reports that the exemption comes with the expectation that the Blue Jackets will rise above the floor “in a reasonable time.”
Additionally, a $2 million signing bonus paid to Gaudreau on July 1 will count against the Blue Jackets’ cap this season. According to Puck Pedia, the current Blue Jackets roster is projected to be $201,000 above the salary cap floor of $65 million before final roster decisions have been made. Portzline estimates the final roster will come in $1.4 million below the cap.
Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were killed on Aug. 29 after they were struck by a suspected drunk driver while riding their bikes near their hometown in New Jersey.
At the time of his death, Gaudreau was the highest-paid player on the Blue Jackets after signing a seven-year, $62.25-million contract in 2022.