Does the salary cap going up next year mean he will stay? Honest question.
Does free agency work the same as it did last year? Allowed to start talking on the 1st but unable to sign til the 3rd or 5th? It would be nice having that cap space and roster spot to work with.
I Thought you can speak to free agents before, but can't sign until the 1st under the CBA?
The timing was difference last year was due to everything running a bit later due to the partial lockout.
Edit:
Taken from http://www.capgeek.com/faq/new-cba
FREE AGENCY
Group 3 unrestricted free agency remains unchanged and begins on July 1 each year. UFAs may meet and interview with potential new clubs from the day after the entry draft (June 25 at the latest) until June 30.
OK, that's pretty much what I was thing. Just had the dates wrong.
I like plus hope we keep him
At the expense of?
I think they will keep him if Kesler is dealt. If Kesler stays, they move on. Reason: They can't play together, and in order to maximize Booth's skillset, I think he needs to play 2LW with PP duties.
With Kesler gone, they lose a bit of size up front. For that reason, it might be worth keeping a bigger guy like Booth around.
it this the last window for the buyout>?
ie, use it or lose it this summer?
not that we'd want to buy anyone else out down the road ..but might be good to keep the option..?
Correct. This coming off-season will be the last chance to use it.
I honestly don't even see much point in buying him out. Now that he's got healthy, he's actually contributing at a reasonable level....not 4.25 million productive, but probably worth more than what his buyout number would be. Considering this team sucks and we don't need the cap space that badly to make a contender.
He's developed some confidence playing with Richardson and Kassian who are both going to be back next season you would think. I don't think its a stretch to think he could have a good season and even gain us a minor asset at next year's trade deadline when his contract is more palatable.
I honestly don't even see much point in buying him out. Now that he's got healthy, he's actually contributing at a reasonable level....not 4.25 million productive, but probably worth more than what his buyout number would be. Considering this team sucks and we don't need the cap space that badly to make a contender.