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Florida Panthers waive Brad Boyes, final year of contract to be bought out

Back in 2013-2014, Brad Boyes was given a professional tryout and made the Florida Panthers roster out of training camp. After putting up 36 points, including 21 goals, in 78 games, the veteran winger was signed to a 2-year contract extension, and it was assumed that he would stay and play out the rest of that deal.

That isn’t the case, however, as it was reported on Twitter today that Boyes was waived for the purpose of being bought out.

A buyout will free up close to $1.7M in cap space for the coming campaign as Boyes was slated to count for $2.625M against the cap. Instead, after the presumed buyout (someone could claim him – although unlikely) is completed, his cap hit will be $958,333 this season and $833,333 in 2016-17.

The thought here is that the roster spot will be given to a young player such as Rocco Grimaldi, or that Dale Tallon is gearing up to make a run at someone in free agency. Regardless, this is an interesting move, as Boyes was close to posting half a point per game last year, while putting up good possession numbers. Here’s his HERO chart:

That’s quality second line value that Tallon just bought out, and one has to hope that this doesn’t come around to bite the team next season.

What do you think of the Boyes buyout

Good move 52
Bad move 136
Meh 73

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