As the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft nears (one week away!), news continues to pour in daily regarding trades, contracts, buyouts and more. On Tuesday, teams were allowed to formally ask players to waive their No-Movement Clauses for the expansion draft, meaning they aren’t forced to protect them. We’ve seen lots of teams do that, with some potentially going overboard with the idea of getting rid of those contracts.
Here’s the list of teams that have asked players to waive their NMCs so far. In every case, the contract is its own albatross, so it’s not like Seattle is going to swoop in and fix anyone’s problems for free.
Waived NMCs
Colorado Avalanche — Erik Johnson
The Avs are exposing their alternate captain and his contract with two years left at $6 million for a chance to keep Devon Toews protected. The team is still far apart on an extension for captain Gabriel Landeskog, so they’ll be able to protect most of the players they want. It’s likely defenseman Ryan Graves or forward JT Compher will be going to Seattle.
Related
Erik Johnson to waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft
Calgary Flames — Milan Lucic
It’s been long-known that Lucic was going to waive his NMC for the draft. After getting Edmonton to retain a nominal amount, Calgary has $5.25 million against the cap under his name for the next two years. After scoring at a whopping 28-point pace in his two seasons with Calgary, it’s pretty obvious Seattle isn’t going to be interested. That infamous contract is nearly done, but there’s still two more long years to go.
As for who Seattle takes from Calgary, Chris Tanev, Oliver Kylington, and some league-min forwards like Dominik Simon will be available. Tanev would be the obvious choice, but it depends on how much Seattle is comfortable absorbing a player that could fall off the playable cliff within the next three years of the deal.
Related
Lucic waives no-move clause for Flames ahead of Expansion Draft: report
Nashville Predators — Matt Duchene (no NMC)
Six years left at $8 million, Duchene doesn’t have a NMC that kicks in yet so the Preds don’t have to make any difficult phone calls. In the two years since Duchene’s contract started, he’s only scored 19 goals in 100 games for the team, points in general have been at a 45-point pace. That immediately puts to bed any chance that he could be claimed by Seattle. It’s a long, painful contract, and Nashville isn’t getting out of it any time soon.
The team still haven’t figured out their defense situation yet as Dante Fabbro still sits as the fourth defenseman leaving lots of forwards exposed. I’m sure we’ll get their solution in the coming days.
There's a growing sense that the Predators might leave Matt Duchene unprotected in the expansion draft. Has five more years on his deal at an $8M AAV. @TSNHockey @TheAthletic
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2021
More creative solutions
Nashville Predators — Pekka Rinne (retired)
It was time for the 28-year-old to hang up the skates and give the net over to Juuse Saros. As a UFA, Rinne won’t carry any residual cap hits or anything like that on Nashville’s books.
Related
Pekka Rinne Announces NHL Retirement
Minnesota Wild — Ryan Suter and Zach Parise (bought out)
This was the big story of the day. Bill Guerin has bought out the final four years of the matching contracts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise. This immediately helps them protect the team’s now three main defensemen (Spurgeon, Dumba, Brodin) and the forwards they want to keep.
The buyouts give the Wild lots of cap space this upcoming season, almost relief compared to the two players original cap hits, even less the next two years, and then less than a million for the four years Parise and Suter weren’t going to be on the roster. You have one year, Wild, have fun?
Related
Wild’s stunning Zach Parise and Ryan Suter buyouts could create salary-cap repercussions for years
Wilderness Walk: Suter, Parise not asked to waive NMC’s
Prior to today the #MNWild did not have any dead cap hits, this is how their dead cap hit section is now updated with the buyouts pic.twitter.com/YMl6gj4Az2
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 13, 2021
Michael Russo has done some great reporting on the story (as he often does on his beat), noting the relationship between Guerin and the two players in particular. In short, it sounds like Guerin didn’t want them around any longer.
BREAKING NEWS: #mnwild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sourceshttps://t.co/ScfiN7urSl
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) July 13, 2021
I think it has to be assumed that the current Wild management really really did not like Parise and Suter.
— EvolvingWild (@EvolvingWild) July 13, 2021
BTW, I don’t think this is that bad or awkward, but I’m sure there was some tension because the news was so impactful.
Holy moly, @RussoHockey on KFAN: Bill Guerin called Ryan Suter first, Suter didn't answer so he called Parise, told him that he's been bought out.
— Stephen Strom (@SStrom_) July 13, 2021
Then, Parise called Suter, told Suter he'd been bought out and while Suter was on the phone w/ Parise, Guerin called Suter 😬
Also, should I just call Parise to the Lightning on a league-min contract now?
Various Leafs and Branches
Maple Leafs Expansion Draft Exposure and Protection Scenarios | by: Katya
2021 NHL Draft Profile: Olen Zellweger | by: Brigstew
Saroya Tinker debuts ‘Shut Up and Play’ Podcast | by: The Ice Garden
I am so excited to announce my new podcast—Shut Up and Play: an inside look at athletes as activists!
— Saroya Tinker (@saroyatinker71) July 8, 2021
Follow us @shutupnplaypod and tune into episode 1 dropping July 13th! But for now, check out the trailer below and our website for more!https://t.co/C6h9AmNmjH #SaroyaSpeaks pic.twitter.com/DtLEOtmxce
Canadiens extend Dominique Ducharme, after losing top AHL coach Joël Bouchard to Anaheim Ducks.
The Canadiens have agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension (2021-22 to 2023-24) with head coach Dominique Ducharme.#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/aU6y2F5NEB
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 13, 2021
Pierre, meet your new friend Stanley.
Not to steal @TBLightning's thunder, but we've got our very own Stanley🦒 Born on the night the Bolts took home the Cup, the name was a clear winner! pic.twitter.com/ZisAvbBD9d
— Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (@BuschGardens) July 13, 2021
With the expansion draft and teams being a season removed from the worst of the pandemic, it sounds like it’s going to be easier for the Lightning to shed the contracts they need to shed to get under the salary cap. I’m ready for the three-peat.
“There’s an appetite to add players,” BriseBois says of the current market and being easier to make deals to shed large contracts, compared to the financial uncertainty of last offseason.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 13, 2021
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