Prior to the hiring of Ken Holland as GM, the Oilers had been considering the possibility of buying out winger Milan Lucic’s contract this summer, reports Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his latest 31 Thoughts column. On the surface, this seems like a reasonable idea but given the front-loaded, bonus-laden structure of the contract, many had viewed his deal as virtually buyout-proof. Courtesy of CapFriendly, here is how the breakdown of a buyout would go:
2019-20: $3.625MM
2020-21: $5.625MM
2021-22: $4.125MM
2022-23: $5.625MM
2023-24: $625K
2024-25: $625K
2025-26: $625K
2026-27: $625K
Considering that Lucic carries a $6MM cap hit, the savings would be minimal. While they could certainly use the $2.375MM in extra space for next season, the fact that they wouldn’t save enough cap room in two of the next three years to roster someone making the league minimum makes going that route a short-term solution at best.
In an ideal world, finding a suitable trade for Lucic would be the best case scenario, as long as the incentive they provide to take on the contract isn’t too steep. Friedman notes that they tried to do so last summer but that their price was unrealistic. Considering that his output dipped even more this past season (6-14-20 in 79 games), Holland’s tune may be a bit different now compared to Peter Chiarelli a year ago.
While it’s true that sending Lucic to the AHL would yield $1.075MM in cap savings (it would go up by $50K in 2021-22), his no-move clause makes that a challenge as he could very easily invoke that to block a demotion. Assuming he’s unwilling to go to the minors, that makes a trade or a buyout the only options to remove him from the roster and while a buyout would give them a bit more breathing room for 2019-20, it would come at a pretty significant cost after that. As a result, expect to hear Lucic bandied about in trade discussion in the weeks to come.
LOL
This would never happen. Ken Holland LOVES to overpay old players……. just look at the redwings roster
They should just find a way to ship him to Vancouver for Loui Eriksson.
I can see John Davidson and the Rangers jumping on Lucic if Edmonton bought him out
Bear with me here, I’m a Leafs fan FIRST, But I also love Edmonton and it pains me to see them suffer the past decade(s). I’m also a masochist. I think the Leafs should consider trading for him. He was always a thorn in their side and that’s not an issue anymore, being in the West and all. He has grit, toughness, and always plays with an edge. Something the Leafs need more of. I think he can still produce points as well. Not as the driver of a line, but a complimentary piece to a third or fourth line. It’s a lot of money for a 3/4 liner, so Edmonton retains HALF salary AND throws in a 2/3/4 defensemen or a top prospect or pick. And takes back Zaitsev (who would actually be young enough and serviceable at this stage of their re-re-rebuild.