Is it correct that the buyout will cost the acquiring team a $6.2 million hit on the cap?
That’s a big ask
Datsyuk was 7.5 mill. He didn't cost any salary, but we could easily take back some salary, and the buyout salary is not ridiculous (it's like 833k).
Even if this was true, I don't think the Leafs trade Kapanen. The one thing that the Leafs have on their side with Marleau is that he doesn't cost a lot of salary, even if he's bought out, whereas Bickell was 4.5 mill in salary... That's quite pricey for teams to take on, even if they are not total budget (which Carolina was at the time). 833k over two years is nothing, especially if the Leafs are willing to take back a contract which is likely costs more salary (i.e. a buriable one-way contract or something like that).
I think it could cost Bracco, but we may still get something decent back in return. It's pricey, but if the Leafs are keeping Nylander and Marner anyways, then Bracco doesn't have a spot on the team anyways. There was an Ottawa offer, where it was Marleau + Bracco for 44. That is the kind of deal I'd expect, with the Leafs maybe taking on Clarke MacArthur's insurance premiums as a small salary kicker.