Senators must ponder buyout option on Gaborik
As much as it has been a devastating week, month and year for the Ottawa Senators, the business of piecing together a team for next season must continue.
Accordingly, with the opening of the buyout window on the NHL calendar, the Senators are in position to make a decision on 36-yearold winger Marian Gaborik.
The question is whether they show Gaborik the door, along with a US$7.2-million parting gift.
Gaborik was acquired in the February trade that sent defenceman Dion Phaneuf and his heavy contract to the Los Angeles Kings.
Gaborik scored four goals and three assists in 16 games with the Senators, but there was always speculation he would be bought out of the final three years and $10.825 million remaining on his contract.
The Senators are in a rebuilding mode, focused on younger players. Gaborik wouldn’t seem to fit into such a puzzle.
Following exit meetings with players after the season, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion acknowledged he had talked to some players about buyout options.
However, injured players can’t be bought out and Gaborik had surgery for a herniated disc on April 5. It was, however, expected he would be fully recovered within eight weeks.
Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the players’ association, the Senators would need to first place Gaborik on waivers, just in case another team wanted to take on his full contract.
If the other 30 teams take a pass, the Senators would be on the hook for two-thirds of the remaining value, or $7.22 million. Gaborik would be paid $1.2 million for each of the next six years.
The Senators have until June 30 to make a buyout decision.