I know people are hating on Gardiner after a bad series, but he has value! There's not too many 50 point defensemen out there with the skill Gardiner has, regardless of how brain dead he might be.

That Dubi deal is just slightly better than simply buying him out, mostly because a buyout cap hit would last longer. It's nice if we're just getting rid of him, but we do kind of need someone in that spot. Consider it a tentative "yeah, sure" unless we have real issues finding someone capable in free agency.