BombSquad
Joined: Jun. 2016
Posts: 613
Likes: 22
Yeah, buyouts are costly but in some extreme cases may be necessary. For example, if for some reason Pittsburgh can't find any trade partners for Fleury and he does not agree to waive his NMC, they will have to buy him out in order to protect Murray. But it will cost them nearly 2 mil against the cap of dead money through 2020-2021.
Buyouts aren't going to change but the most interesting point here is how much it will affect future contracts especially in regards to NMCs. Gotta think the NHL is going to be adding team 32 sooner than later to even up the west with the east and then this whole thing will start again. With the cap projected to keep going up every year (at least until the impending 2020 lockout), contracts will be getting bigger and bigger and worse and worse to buy out.