OK since several posters have raised the possibility, I'll ask just for kicks.....he's on LTIR and salary has not counted against the cap during that time, correct? So does the ability to go over the cap with your own players in the playoffs (although it's usually within the context of AHL callups) apply here? Even if it does, and as @Jmdodgesrt4 opines hopefully that maybe this was just a ploy to shut him down completely after the concussion symptoms set in and save him for the postseason, wouldn't the league be all over this with an investigation and possible loss of draft picks or future team cap $ reductions? Again, my non-insider opinion is his career is over, I'm just entertaining the "what if".....