Brad Richards was bought out due to the cap re-capture rule added to the new CBA. Do some research.
If Richards retired before the end of his contract the penalties were so punitive that the team had no choice.
Hossa had a similar deal, I wonder why the Hawks didn't buy out Hossa
In the first sentence you complain about signing an albatross contract, and in your second sentance you complain we didn't sign a bunch of albatross contracts...