Right Winger Bobby Butler bought out by Ottawa Senators, no rush to find replacement -NHL Update
Ottawa Senators went ahead and made their move to buy out 25-year-old right winger, Bobby Butler’s contract on Friday, July 27, 2012, setting him free with a $400,000 check in hand.
The forward was on contract with Ottawa Senators for another two seasons, making it $200,000 each year, but the Canadian capital city franchise knew that instead of having him play, they would allow the player to search for a new team and work on filling
a position of their own.
Roughly around this time of the offseason, teams work towards making changes around the roster after signing free agents and trading with other franchises. Butler is just an inauguration of that since insiders believe that spectators will be seeing much
more of such moves being made in upcoming days.
“My guess is you’re either going to see a lot of players bought out or moved,” said a league executive. “There are going to be teams that have spent to the cap who will have to scramble to get below it.”
“I would anticipate we’re going see a lot of players who are on the move. Not sure we’re going to see a lot of trades before then, but the teams that are sitting at — or below — the floor are in a good situation.”
Since negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the National Hockey League (NHL) and Players’ Association are underway, there is no telling what the new salary cap might be for players, but Ottawa Senators will most likely want to do
it before a new deal comes into place.
Senators were known to be going after Columbus Blue Jackets captain, Rick Nash, but failed to acquire the player. They also lost out on Zach Parise and Ryan Suter along with Shea Weber in recent days.
General Manager Bryan Murray is definitely in the mood of filling in the free space they have on the roster and even Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan could be a possible fit, but Ottawa is focused on playing it patient.
The free agent market may be shrivelled up, but expect to see some big moves from Ottawa in the next few days.
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