Simon Despres has played only once this season, back on Oct. 13, due to injury.
It now appears the Anaheim Ducks don’t see the 25-year-old defenseman returning to their lineup any time soon.
On Sunday, TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported on Twitter that the Ducks placed Despres, who carries an average annual value of $3.7 million, on long-term injured reserve, providing Anaheim with some flexibility in the salary cap situation.
Despres placement on LTIR likely happened prior to yesterday's roster moves when still at $72,676,667, giving #Ducks additional $3,376,667. https://t.co/ZDtTNIt5Z3
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) October 23, 2016
By placing Despres on LTIR, it’s been suggested this could possibly allow the Ducks to sign restricted free agent defenseman Hampus Lindholm.
Lindholm, 22, missed training camp, instead deciding to stay in Sweden while he awaits a deal with the Ducks. Six games into Anaheim’s season, and still no deal.
It was reported last month that Lindholm was seeking a deal of eight years, and at least $6 million per season.
Last week, on TSN’s Insider Trading, McKenzie suggested the two sides could be about $250,000, annually, apart. He also added that there is a “cap hit penalty” when restricted free agents don’t get signed before the season begins.
“For every day that (Lindholm) is not signed in this season, the cap hit for the team will increase by about $30,000 if he were to agree to a $5.5 million deal,” McKenzie reported.
“Let’s say he agrees to a deal that’s $5.5 million AAV, well the cap hit’s going to be up around $5.8 (million) as of now, for each day that goes on.”