Cowen (TOR) clears waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 27, 2016
The Leafs weren’t realistically expecting anyone to claim Jared Cowen yesterday, but waiving Cowen enables any team acquiring him to stash the defenceman in the American Hockey League without exposing him to waivers (reducing his cap hit in the meantime between now and the buyout window). There was said to be mild interest from Montreal and Buffalo once upon a time, but the only way the Leafs are moving Cowen is by taking back a salary makeweight.
The buyout credit for next season is perhaps being a little oversold given it will carry a cap penalty in 2017-18. It no doubt helps the Leafs‘ cause a little bit, but whoever buys out Cowen will spend $750,000 in real dollars for each of the next two seasons in exchange for a $650,000 cap credit in 2016-17 and a $750,000 cap penalty in 2017-18. A team very desperate for cap space and anticipating overage penalties might acquire him for the modest 2016-17 relief, but you’re still paying for it the next year.
The Leafs are making it pretty obvious they want nothing to do with Cowen and are pursuing all avenues to offload him before using the buyout option. It seems unlikely they find a resolution before the buyout window in the summer, but they have informed the player they’re doing everything they can do move him by Monday at 3 p.m.:
Now that Jared Cowen has cleared waivers, the #leafs hope to trade him by deadline: https://t.co/TXuDOuYfNK
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 27, 2016
Saturday news and links:
Leafs in Montreal with no extra bodies. Everyone is in tonight including PA Parenteau. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) February 27, 2016
Hunwick is back tonight and skating with Rielly. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) February 27, 2016
ICYMI from @frank_seravalli: Parenteau's value on the rise after Ladd deal https://t.co/fYXloz8rkp #TradeCentre pic.twitter.com/1fifwN9790
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 26, 2016
Toronto Marlies Game Review:
A tale of goaltending, special teams and missed opportunitieshttps://t.co/JCX9xaod64
— Mark R (@MarkUkLeaf) February 27, 2016
As best I understand it, there are three scenarios under which Ilya Kovalchuk could return to the NHL. They are: pic.twitter.com/2rumsfSSv8
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 27, 2016
Our thoughts are with the family of Andy Bathgate who has passed away at 83.
READ: https://t.co/vlrpY9u7up pic.twitter.com/LqoHnU7NZB
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 26, 2016
#ICYMI A career built on fighting takes its toll on a former hockey enforcer https://t.co/Vbnrc5MckA #OHL #NHL pic.twitter.com/2eSpclYypU
— Globe Sports (@Globe_Sports) February 27, 2016
What moves Canadian teams could make at the NHL trade deadline https://t.co/Lr6vHlAwPo pic.twitter.com/zU8YWt4vhk
— Globe Sports (@Globe_Sports) February 27, 2016
