NHL general managers are expressing frustration with the league's expedited salary cap rules ahead of Friday's trade deadline. Teams were only briefed on the changes last September, despite the new collective bargaining agreement being announced in July. One executive called the late implementation "bush league," saying it disrupted carefully laid plans.

Key rule changes include a de facto playoff salary cap requiring teams to submit 20-player lineups under the regular-season cap, and restrictions on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) usage. Teams can now only replace injured players' salaries up to the previous season's average league salary. The Dallas Stars recently declared forward Tyler Seguin out for the season to maximize his $9.85 million cap relief.

The new rules also limit double retention trades, requiring 75 regular-season days between trades involving retained salary. Some GMs believe this will create a more level playing field for the playoffs, though it may reduce trade activity. With the salary cap set at $95.5 million this season and projected to rise next year, many teams are opting to re-sign their pending free agents rather than make deadline deals.