[...] As first reported by Bob McKenzie, the Sabres parted ways with Christian Ehrhoff on Sunday by buying out his contract. In order to be bought out, a player has to go through waivers but with his no-move clause, Ehrhoff could bypass that and just go right to the buyout, something that was necessary in this case as GM Tim Murray wasn't going to risk waiving Ehrhoff. He agreed to doing just that.
The #Sabres confirm compliance buyout on Christian Ehrhoff.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) June 29, 2014
Ehrhoff is signed through 2021, only three seasons into the 10-year, $40 million contract he signed with the Sabres after leaving Vancouver. It was a contract that carried him into the eventual twilight of his career and perhaps past it, leaving the potential for a cap recapture penalty should he retire early.
That had to be the factor in the Sabres' decision here. With Ehrhoff's salary diving in the final years of the deal to drop his cap hit, if he were to retire early or leave the Sabres would take a massive hit. Even though they surely would love to keep Ehrhoff around at a very reasonable cap hit, the potential for a catostrophic hit down the line tipped their hand to go this route. The fact that even with him they were still hands down the worst team in the NHL this past season isn't a great argument for the Sabres keeping him around with that potential risk, either. [...]
Quelle:
cbssports.com