Three weeks ago the New York Rangers informed captain Chris Drury they intended to buy him out this off-season.
But thanks to a chronic knee injury it seemed all but likely that Glen Sather would have to find another way to save some money to help get Brad Richards and all of the RFA’s on the roster under the cap. Due to a clause in the CBA, a team cannot buy out a player who is injured and not cleared to play in the NHL for the upcoming season.
But now, according to a report from Larry Brooks, Drury is leaning towards accepting a buyout.
For after Drury suggested a week ago that he was going to apply for a designation of being medically unable to play next season because of a degenerative condition in his left knee, the captain is now leaning toward accepting a buyout, according to individuals familiar with the situation.
The deadline for buyouts is Thursday, but procedure dictates a player must be placed on, and go through, unconditional waivers after official notification of the intent to buy out. The Rangers would have to place Drury on waivers no later than Tuesday in order to comply with procedures.
If Drury does indeed accept the buyout rather than file for the medical exception, the Rangers would carry approximately $3.717 million of dead cap space on his deal through the summer and next season, a saving of approximately $3.333 million. The club also would face a charge of approximately $1.667 million for 2012-13, pending a new CBA that could erase that obligation.
Things are getting interesting in Rangers world. We will know very soon, Thursday is the buyout deadline, wether or not this happens.
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