Buffalo Sabres Waive Tim Kennedy
The Buffalo Sabres have waived forward Tim Kennedy just days after signing him to an arbitrators awarded contract of $1 million. Kennedy has now cleared waivers and the Sabers have confirmed that they will buy out the youngster, making him a free agent.
The Sabres were obligated to agree to the terms brought forward by the arbitrator because the contract was less then $1.1 million, and the National Hockey League (NHL) collective bargaining agreement states that a team must sign a player awarded under that salary.
It is expected that the Sabres will buy Kennedy out in order to reduce their payroll so they are able to make another move on the open market.
It has been reported that the Sabres are going after Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle, and Kennedy’s $1 million contract was keeping them from completing a trade.
Because the Sabres are not a team that spends to the cap, it is unclear how much their internal budget allows them to spend on salary. Therefore, one has to assume that the amount awarded by the arbitrator was too rich for their blood.
Kennedy is a skilled player, and at 24-years-old, and with the ability to play hard third line minutes, he could be a very inexpensive addition to a number of clubs around the league.
Look for the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning to try and sign the youngster, as he is an inexpensive addition to thin forward cores.
There is also talk that the Carolina Hurricanes could be interested in his services, along with the Nashville Predators.
Kennedy was drafted 181st by the Sabres in the 2005 NHL entry draft. Last year was his first full season in the league, and the Buffalo native managed 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points, going minus-three that year.
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