Who doesn't make sense to buy out?
1. Dougie Hamilton
The questioning of Dougie Hamilton's place on this roster has begun. He didn’t have a great season last year. There were times when he looked like the guy who could still dominate on the power play and be a team’s top defenseman, but the consistency wasn’t there. He also suffered another major injury. He did push himself to get back for the playoffs, but this is a business, and Hamilton costs $9 million per season. If he has trouble staying on the ice, and when he does return, he’s not the same guy, it’s hard to justify that price tag.
While we could see an attempted trade despite the no-trade clause in place (Hamilton is afforded a 10-team trade list), a buyout would be the easiest option to clear space. That would work if it actually worked.
With three years left on Hamilton’s deal, a buyout would save the Devils… $194,000 and some change. You’re reading that right. A buyout saves the Devils a whopping $194,000 this year and next. It jumps to $4.5 million in the third season of the buyout, but at that point, there is no point. The Devils need the savings now.
A buyout won’t be Fitzgerald’s first choice. We think he’d rather pay a certain level of draft compensation to get out of some of these contracts, but if he has to use a buyout, these are his most likely options.