Random Hot take:
He can play a month or 10 games in the AHL if he passes waivers. SJS is showcasing him and to do that he needs to play and get back to game speed.
He is probably still a solid #5/6 on a bad team (of which there are 10 or so). He was a good pro before the injury, and from what people wrote about him/said about him as teammates he was well liked and a hard worker.
At the TDL, he will be traded with retention for a late pick to free up room.
4.85 cap hit buried is roughly 3.85 against the cap.
If they traded him at 50% retention he costs 2.425 each year for both teams, but still saves SJS 1.425 against there cap.
Maybe a team who has a D get hurt closes to the TDL:
[email protected] + 4th rounder
for
2nd or 3rd.