Coyotes Get Screwed by Confusing NHL Technicality

The veteran rearguard struggled in his two years in Vancouver, a\continuing a worrying trend from his last years in Arizona. This move was widely expected in Vancouver, as OEL was no longer worth his price tag.

The Canucks will be on the hook for a hefty price for the next eight years

The Arizona Coyotes are hit by this news too, as an obscure rule is impacting their ability to retain salary.

NHL teams are only permitted to retain salary on three contracts, but because of this rule they now lose a slot due to the Canucks buyout of OEL.

Without this tool the 'Yotes have lost a valuable way to gain resources for their rebuild. The main reason the Coyotes got such a haul for OEL in the first place was because they retained 12% of his salary (the Canucks sent the 9th pick in the 2021 draft for OEL the pick turned into Dylan Guenther).

Now they can't do that, limiting chances for extra draft picks.

The Coyotes are also on the hook for $290,000 per year for eight years, which hurts a team strapped for funds.