Seems like they need some cap space for their travel squad still. That or they're trying to get Necas and Bear to sign for cheaper.

I don't think this roster is done yet. And I think there could even be 1 or 2 more surprise moves.

Players who end the year on LTIR can not be bought out. Gards either has to get traded or is going to be our #3LD this season.

Is that in the CBA? I’d never heard of that before but might explain why nothing has happened with Gardiner yet.

The way I understand, based on some twitter threads I read, is a player can only be bought out after being on LTIR if they pass a physical to get back on the active roster. Gards would have to willingly take a physical to do that and he is not required to take another mandated physical until training camp. So Gards was not eligible for buyout during the first window and while we will get another 48-hour buyout window due to Bear going to arbitration, that will most likely happen in mid-august so it's feasible to assume Gards would not have passed a physical before that additional buyout period closes, as training camp should start in Sept sometime. It's all pretty complicated but this is how I understand it. TLDR; The Canes are ****ed with Gards contract for now

Ah that makes sense and really sucks for us, takes a lot of leverage away.

I did thought that GMDW said Gardiner had been cleared already which I took to assume he passed a physical. I guess it’s all in the details though.