I just said why it makes sense to buy him out
Good will

Costs less than 1mil on the Cap next year,
which will have no effect on us

U can’t trade him, even at half price
His only chance at another team is to be bought out & sign a PTO with someone
And possibly get the Vet minimum if he looks good in camp
- jdfitz77

Dragging this process out another year is what makes zero sense.

Pay him his $5 million this year and be done with it.

Wasting any more cap space on him beyond this year even if it’s less than a million is what makes zero sense.

They did him a favor already and sent him to California. They expect him back there this season as well. That’s his favor. That’s the human side.
- Stripes77

I agree he shouldn’t be bought out. Winning solves everything, jbotts should focus on icing a winning team and not trying to make friends or avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

By July 1, he will have received $23/25m over four years.

He put up 93 points in 239 games.

We sent him to California as a favor.

How much more could we possibly owe the guy?
- jcragcrumple

We don’t “owe” him anything
It would still look good though

Why are u guys so concerned about a .67mil Cap hit for next year?
That’s nothing

Be glad you missed our faceoff debate.

They do matter, in certain scenarios. Sometimes, they're very important. Sometimes, not so much. Regardless.... no, it's like #6 on a list
- TheSabresTaco

Oh I read it lol, just started commenting a few days ago

We don’t “owe” him anything
It would still look good though

Why are u guys so concerned about a .67mil Cap hit for next year?
That’s nothing
- jdfitz77

I mean.... nothing would be Zero.

Dragging this process out another year is what makes zero sense.

Pay him his $5 million this year and be done with it.

Wasting any more cap space on him beyond this year even if it’s less than a million is what makes zero sense.
- Stripes77

Till we try to sign a UFA and that guy calls Moulson to ask how his time was here

U really think this stuff doesn’t happen?
Or just that it doesn’t matter?

A .67mil Cap hit shouldn’t concern u in the least bit

I mean.... nothing would be Zero.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

U know what i mean

That .67mil next year isn’t gonna prevent us from making any moves we might want to do

It's the human side of it. That needs to be considered. if he has an opportunity to play in the NHL somewhere else, and the cap ramifications are minimal, which they are, then there's no reason it can't be considered. If Botts was a robot, then I agree with you. (Minimal next year) RoBott
- TheSabresTaco

He doesnt. He is done.

not interested at all in Ginning, the Rangers loaded up in left handed D prospects at the trade deadline and have many other needs

Dragging this process out another year is what makes zero sense.

Pay him his $5 million this year and be done with it.

Wasting any more cap space on him beyond this year even if it’s less than a million is what makes zero sense.
- Stripes77

Its like a 200k saving buying him out.

Even if he doesn’t ever play in the NHL again (i agree btw)

It still gives the guy a chance

Does nothing but make us look good for giving him the chance

And what does it cost us?
Under 1mil on next year’s Cap
It’s an easy decision

Doing things like that make the organization look good
- jdfitz77

I just don't agree with the "poor Matt" narrative. If he were any good, he'd be in the NHL. He's not, so he isn't, and he's not gonna find another NHL job ever again - he's just too slow. So if we haven't already done enough for him to finally retire and get off the books after he gets this year's bonus, then he can play in the A again this year. I

f he wants to ride the bus for $2m this year, that's up to him. The Sabres absolutely should not extend the cap hit on him by buying him out. That's insanity

Till we try to sign a UFA and that guy calls Moulson to ask how his time was here

U really think this stuff doesn’t happen?
Or just that it doesn’t matter?

A .67mil Cap hit shouldn’t concern u in the least bit
- jdfitz77

Moulson speaks highly of the Sabres. Even after they sent him to the American League. One of my employees plays with him in Ontario.

Sending him there for his family when they didn’t have to went a long way.

Next?

Till we try to sign a UFA and that guy calls Moulson to ask how his time was here

U really think this stuff doesn’t happen?
Or just that it doesn’t matter?

A .67mil Cap hit shouldn’t concern u in the least bit
- jdfitz77

Moulson wanted to resign here because he loved the city, community, and fans. Other players like rivet and ott also talked about how much they loved it here but were apprehensive when they first got here. The best way to attract free agents is to win games. That’s what attracts players and helps minimize things like overpaying to keep guys here.

Till we try to sign a UFA and that guy calls Moulson to ask how his time was here

U really think this stuff doesn’t happen?
Or just that it doesn’t matter?

A .67mil Cap hit shouldn’t concern u in the least bit
- jdfitz77

Gotta agree with Fitz here. Fans treat these players as automatons, and that's just simply not the case.

We don’t “owe” him anything
It would still look good though

Why are u guys so concerned about a .67mil Cap hit for next year?
That’s nothing
- jdfitz77

if there's only a $1.3m difference in the cap hit this year, and the sabres don't need that space, why bother buying him out?

if there's only a $1.3m difference in the cap hit this year, and the sabres don't need that space, why bother buying him out?
- Michael Pachla

Only reason to buy him out is if there's legit NHL interest in him. Send him off, give him a chance to play in the NHL before he retires or goes to a lesser league. It's a good will gesture that the player, and others observing, would appreciate a lot. >700k would be on the cap next year, which is negligible at this point.

I just don't agree with the "poor Matt" narrative. If he were any good, he'd be in the NHL. He's not, so he isn't, and he's not gonna find another NHL job ever again - he's just too slow. So if we haven't already done enough for him to finally retire and get off the books after he gets this year's bonus, then he can play in the A again this year. I

f he wants to ride the bus for $2m this year, that's up to him. The Sabres absolutely should not extend the cap hit on him by buying him out. That's insanity
- jcragcrumple

You’re looking at it the wrong way
It’s not a “poor Matt” narrative
It’s just good will towards a Vet who’s been a good guy
If the Cap hit for next year was significant,
then i wouldn’t do it
But it’s barely anything
Won’t affect us at all really
These things make the organization look good to other players
That’s worth more than the .67mil Cap hit next year

Only reason to buy him out is if there's legit NHL interest in him. Send him off, give him a chance to play in the NHL before he retires or goes to a lesser league. It's a good will gesture that the player, and others observing, would appreciate a lot.
- TheSabresTaco

i'm fine with that but who would have a legit interest in him?

Only reason to buy him out is if there's legit NHL interest in him. Send him off, give him a chance to play in the NHL before he retires or goes to a lesser league. It's a good will gesture that the player, and others observing, would appreciate a lot.
- TheSabresTaco

He's never playing in the NHL again. The league is about speed, and he may quite literally the slowest player in it.

He can retire and play in Europe, or he can play again in the A, or leave $2/25m on the table and move to California to be done with hockey

He doesnt. He is done.
- Mentalorgasm5

Perhaps. Perhaps not. I personally agree he's done, but I don't know a single GM in the league.

You’re looking at it the wrong way
It’s not a “poor Matt” narrative
It’s just good will towards a Vet who’s been a good guy
If the Cap hit for next year was significant,
then i wouldn’t do it
But it’s barely anything
Won’t affect us at all really
These things make the organization look good to other players
That’s worth more than the .67mil Cap hit next year
- jdfitz77

has anyone mentioned that Moulson would be out $667K?

Moulson speaks highly of the Sabres. Even after they sent him to the American League. One of my employees plays with him in Ontario.

Sending him there for his family when they didn’t have to went a long way.

Next?
- Stripes77

And he’d speak even more glowingly should we buy him out

Do u think buying him out won’t be a gesture that looks good to other players?
Yes or No

I think it would
Therefor, it’s worth the extremely minimal Cap hit next year

if there's only a $1.3m difference in the cap hit this year, and the sabres don't need that space, why bother buying him out?
- Michael Pachla

Its not nearly that much. The sabres bury him in the AHL. And the buyout saves around 200k to 300k.

Gotta agree with Fitz here. Fans treat these players as automatons, and that's just simply not the case.
- TheSabresTaco

He has been handsomely paid for not producing. He's the last person in this organization that deserves another favor.

If this was a player who had a career threatening injury, and the team wanted to make sure he was taken care of, that's another story.

i'm fine with that but who would have a legit interest in him?
- Michael Pachla

Well, that's a question for his agent. If he's bought out, I can guarantee there's interest. 1 year, 600k. I don't know.