According to Bob McKenzie, it looks like the league has found a workaround for the situation Scott Gomez and Wade Redden have found themselves in.
So, as others reported, Gomez and Redden and any player for that matter can get an “accelerated compliance buyout” before Saturday’s opener
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2013
Teams such as NYR and MTL would take full cap hit on those players this season. But no cap hit next season.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2013
Clubs will save 1/3 of players’ actual salary this year – no cap benefit – by buying out now but players would get chance to sign elsewhere.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2013
Each team is still permitted only 2 compliance buyouts, either before Saturday or in summers of 2013 or 2014.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2013
Sorry, my mistake on this year, player gets 100 per cent on buyout, not two thirds. No saving to club. My bad.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 15, 2013
This means the Canadiens wouldn’t save the $900K on Gomez’s cap hit that they are in the current situation of sending him to the AHL and him not reporting, but it would certainly look better on them.
Allowing Gomez to continue his career on a free agent deal with another team is the right move in this situation.
I suppose that the real question is, if the Habs do this, who takes a chance on Scott Gomez? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
