The Calgary Flames are in a unique situation. They’re carrying nine defensemen on their big league roster and, due to CBA restrictions, cannot send any of them to the minors.
The general logic behind the roster restrictions within the CBA is to ensure that National Hockey League players don’t get dumped into the American Hockey League for the minor league stretch drive. If you’re in the NHL for much of the season, there are rules designed to keep you there following the trade deadline.
Under section 13.12(j) of the CBA, NHL players cannot be sent to minors after the trade deadline except:
- players who were recalled using one of the four remaining regular recalls or under an emergency recall
- players who consent to a conditioning stint after a long-term injury
- players who were injured but were on active roster for less than 25% of the season can be demoted with their consent
(Curtis Lazar was recalled using a regular recall, so the Flames were allowed to send him back to the minors.