In a surprising move, the Anaheim Ducks have placed Simon Despres on waivers in order to buy out his contract. Despres had four seasons remaining on his current contract, meaning the buyout cap-hit will be as follows:
- 2017-18: $1.26MM
- 2018-19: -$338K
- 2019-20: -$338K
- 2020-21: $963K
- 2021-22: $663K
- 2022-23: $663K
- 2023-24: $663K
- 2024-25: $663K
Interestingly, completing the buyout now when Despres is only 25 means that the team only has to pay out 1/3 of the remaining salary, and because that needs to be spread over eight years they will actually receive a cap credit in 2018-19 and 2019-20. Had they waited any longer, Despres would have turned 26 (July 27th) and the team would have had to pay twice as much in terms of salary.
Despres missed all but one game last season for the Ducks, but began skating with the team late in the year and now must have been officially cleared in order for the team to buy him out. The defenseman has dealt with concussion problems for quite some time, but could try to and come back somewhere around the league. Once a first-round pick that showed big potential as a two-way horse, if he wants (and is able to) play again he’ll have to rebuild his value.
This move is almost certainly linked to a possible Cam Fowler extension, as the team moves money out in order to hand out a long-term contract to their star defenseman. Despres was set to go unprotected in the expansion draft anyway, meaning this has little to do with that situation. The Ducks, who were right up against the cap already will save almost $2.5MM this season and more than $4MM each of the next two, room enough to help them fit in Fowler or any free agent they deem worthy.
Hope he can come back. I thought I heard at the start of the season that he might need to retire due to his injuries
There was definitely some worry that would be the case, but it doesn’t appear that way anymore.
wow, come to Ottawa?
That’d be nice and they’d be able to slot him into the second pairing assuming they can trade one of Ceci/Phaneuf
Simon Despres for Ben Lovejoy. Everyone in Pittsburgh hated the deal at the time but obviously it worked out in their favor even with Lovejoy departing after helping the team to the cup last year
It probably was an overpay at the time but love joy played really good down the stretch so that turned out pretty good.
He was certainly worth it. Pens fans just didn’t know how much Lovejoy improved, almost overnight, when he was first shipped to Anaheim. He and Fowler were awesome together.
A reunion with the pens? Always liked him when he was here and there will be openings in the bottom 3. Might be wishful thinking but one can hope.
If Vegas takes one of the Millers from Boston I could see them taking a chance.