12 votes

Matt Duchene (NSH), Mike Reilly (BOS), Blake Wheeler (WPG) and Kailer Yamamoto (DET) have been placed on unconditional waivers to be bought out

5 comments

  1. [5]
    Thales
    Link
    Crazy to see Trotz buyout Duchene given the cap penalties: CBS Sports Trotz must really be intent on either tanking or culture change given that the cap savings the next 3 years (the remainder of...

    Crazy to see Trotz buyout Duchene given the cap penalties:

    Duchene signed a seven-year, $56 million contract with Nashville in July of 2019, and he had three years left at $8 million per season left on that deal. Now, the Predators will pay buyout penalties over the next six seasons, according to CapFriendly.

    2023-24: $2.55 million
    2024-25: $5.55 million
    2025-26: $6.55 million
    2026-27: $1.55 million
    2027-28: $1.55 million
    2028-29: $1.55 million

    Trotz must really be intent on either tanking or culture change given that the cap savings the next 3 years (the remainder of the contract) are pretty meagre relative to Duchene's value. He had 43G and 86Pts two years ago.

     

    The Wheeler buyout is definitely a culture change. End of an era in WPG: Wheeler was the last Thrasher to still be playing for the franchise.

    7 votes
    1. [4]
      zefrof
      Link Parent
      Duchene doesn’t seem to last long anywhere he’s at. Have to wonder if the rumors of his locker room troublemaking are true. I would guess Trotz is assuming the cap will increase and those...

      Duchene doesn’t seem to last long anywhere he’s at. Have to wonder if the rumors of his locker room troublemaking are true. I would guess Trotz is assuming the cap will increase and those penalties won’t be as much of an issue.

      Poor locker room culture is also probably why Wheeler is gone. Again, if rumors are true.

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        Astrospud
        Link Parent
        What were the locker room rumors about Wheeler? It's sad to the Winnipeg lineup that showed so much promise start to disintegrate. I was cheering for them to eventually get to the finals even...

        What were the locker room rumors about Wheeler? It's sad to the Winnipeg lineup that showed so much promise start to disintegrate. I was cheering for them to eventually get to the finals even though they weren't my home team.

        2 votes
        1. ibuprofen
          Link Parent
          Wheeler is said to be a hard ass. The sort of guy with the attitude you wish every player had, except that he doesn't have the people skills to lead those who don't share his all-in, all the time...

          Wheeler is said to be a hard ass. The sort of guy with the attitude you wish every player had, except that he doesn't have the people skills to lead those who don't share his all-in, all the time approach. Laine is the oft cited example.

          Byfuglien was the glue that held everyone together. He was a guy who didn't live and breathe hockey but no one could question his effort on the ice. Wheeler lost half the team once Byfuglien hung them up.

          2 votes
      2. Thales
        Link Parent
        Yeah, stripping Wheeler of the captaincy last year was definitely a strong indication of locker room issues. Sucks to see because I believe he is known to be a fairly progressive guy? I remember...

        Yeah, stripping Wheeler of the captaincy last year was definitely a strong indication of locker room issues.

        Sucks to see because I believe he is known to be a fairly progressive guy? I remember him being a big voice around the time of the George Floyd protests.