Can't buyout Tavares as his contract is loaded with signing bonuses.

JT takes the buyout 100 times out of 100. He would still get a good deal post buyout.

The JT buyout BARELY saves the Leafs any money. Plus you have to replace him. Feel free to use the buyout calculator on this site. It's in the top right under calculators

Not saying they shouldn't ask him to waive, but do some research that's on this very site!

VAN is not doing that, they want to shed salary.

Canes pass. They have no need for Kase.

The threat for Tavares is we will pay you money not to play here, and you can go get another contract elsewhere doubling your money without being told where to play.

I think every team would say yes - all those players can garner more when flipped. See Hoffman, Mike.

Not only does Ottawa laugh you off the phone if you ask for that much value for Tavares, but the Leafs don't actually have any leverage. If they bought him out, the Leafs would be eating 10.3M in cap for the next 3 seasons because all his money is in signing bonuses and a new team will be more than happy to sign him for somewhere around $7M. Sens say no and Tavares calls your bluff and then walks away giddy at all the free money he'll make while Toronto still has to stomach nearly his entire cap hit.