I thought he wasn't playing anymore

I would send down Barron and Pezzetta instead of Harris and Armia, but your demonstration is valid: MTL doesn't need to do any trade to be cap compliant without placing Price on LTIR and avoid to carry on bonuses to the 2024 season. Case closed.

Just to specify I would still buyout Hoffman before the season's start to make space for Beck and prevent busting the cap if IR Happens in the pre-season's camp. Not a necessity at this point, but more a nice to have wiggle room.

The Habs can't buyout Hoffman anymore. They don't get a second buyout window because none of their players went to arbitration. Hoffman is either on the roster, buried, or traded.

Thanks for the information. Burried it is then. it means even more capspace cleared next season.

Now I got to challenge you on this now.

I though you were right because I read on Puckpedia:

"Buyouts can start either on June 15 or 48 hours after the Playoffs finish - whichever comes later. The buyout period wraps up on June 30th at 5pm Eastern Standard Time.

In some instances, teams may receive an additional buyout window. If a team has a player who goes to arbitration and it is either settled or awarded, the team will receive a new, 48-hour buyout window that starts 3 days after arbitration has been settled or awarded.

As part of the buyout process, the team must notify the player and place them on unconditional waivers. Once the waivers have been cleared, the buyout is complete. "

But now Philly is buying out DeAngelo without meeting that condition (Cates signed a deal before arbitration)....

So IMO, until explained otherwise, if DeAngelo can be bought out, So is Hoffman.

Thoughts?

"settled or awarded"

Cates and Philly settled. Hence the buyout window.

But if you reeeeeeeally want to buyout Hoffman, I think the Habs could trade for someone going to arbitration, sign the player, then get that second buyout window.

I thought "settled" was the result of the arbitration. English is't my 1st language so i'll go with your interpretation. The timeline fits.

I would reeeeeeeally want to buy him out, but I guess Hughes has other plans for him we don't know.

If I'm not mistaken, Lucas Condotta was elligible for arbitration and Habs decided not to file. So opportunity was there without a far fetched trade if they wanted to.

I really enjoy exchanging about that kind of technicallities of the CBA. Cheers!