David Singleton
Registered User
Now, lets talk about using the LTIR and roster manipulation. Let's say Saros were to come to coach's office and goes:
"*cough* I think I got the Vegas Flu. *cough* I need 6 weeks off... in Cancun."
Placing someone onto LTIR is typically not that easy. The League verifies that there is a legitimate injury or illness directly.
Coming off of LTIR is where things get more fuzzy (and where any potential perceptions of abuse would typically get floated). Phrases like "abundance of caution" are mentioned when teams project a player's return from an injury.
I'm going through physical therapy sessions now with a lower back issue and, while the x-ray show arthritis and whatever else, there's still a lot "how does it feel"-type of questions to determine how long the physical therapy sessions will go on (or whether further imaging is necessary, etc.).
With injuries incurred by professional athletes, it's easy to see how stretching the rehab for these athletes can be justified (and be right) even if it also benefits the team from a cap situation.