I have been saying RETENTION for months.
Retention is using cap space already used so no more needed.
Retention is an amount agreed upon for only the term of the contract.
A buy out saves some cap space but carries a cap hit for longer than the term of the contract, double the time in most cases.
A buyout there is no return, nothing coming back.
Retention has the value of the cap space added to the trade and there is a return of an asset regardless of value or of increased value.
A buyout scream incompetence if done before retention, desperation.
A buyout would make sense if the team is a contender needing to re-sign important players.
A buyout with the Canucks, a team that hasn't cracked 20th in the league for 8 years is ludicrous.
With retention they cold save over million in cap space to be used for trade or signing FA's to improve the team.
So often the media attach "buyout" and retention together as being bad.
Buying out OEL for instance is really nuts, three years of over 4 million in cap hits and another 5 around 1.5 mil.
Then the team needs to find a replacement to fill the roster spot? If any AHL dman could do what he does why aren't there more playing in the NHL?
Anyway retention is preferred and might just help the team for the future with picks and prospects as well as signing FAs.
I re-read the thread and will add this;
OEL agreed before to waive for Boston, there he would be a 3/4 dman with a GOOD partner. At 3.6 mil for a former Norris trophy candidate would be a good fit because they are really in cap trouble due to bonus overages. OEL isn't as bad as his contract. At 3.6 mil, a PK and PP dman he still has value especially at 18 minutes a night.
Savings 3.6 million for 4 years and maybe a couple of 2, 3 or 4 picks
Boeser to Minny at 3.3 million for two years. Minnesota needs cheap scoring until the Parise and Suter buyouts expire. All they have is some picks but they are hit hard by buyouts
Savings 3.3 million per year and maybe a 2023 2nd and 2024 2nd.
Garland to Columbus at 2.75 million to Washington, Pittsburgh, Islanders for 2nd and 3rd picks over the next two years depending upon which team.
Savings 2.2 mil a year for 3 years
JT Miller to Columbus with a 1 million retention for 8 years. For any number of prospects and players under 24 yrs old, they have quite a few. Maybe Jireck and Johnson.
Washington for two unprotected 1rst's 2023 and 2024 or 2025. Winnipeg for Barron, Stanley and 2nd.
NYR for Miller/Schnieder and Lafrenière.
Pittsburgh, no retention for Carter 50% retention, Hallander, 2023 & 2024 unprotected 1rst.
A multitude of teams that have assets, strike while the iron is hot.
Savings 7 million per year or ?
Might even get some teams mentioned for Miller for Garland, Boeser or OEL if he would waive. He might, he did to get away from Tocchet once already.