Not a B's fan but I wouldn't be shocked if they try to get Grzelcyk and/or DeBrusk to take a one year deal and then spread out some of the cash from Krejci and Backes once that year is out. Even if they do resign Krejci it will be for less than he makes now.

Or they could pay with a draft pick to move Backes in the summer. That reality may depend on how much the cap moves, last year there was much less movement then expected, which made it tough for a lot of teams.

Backes won’t be here next year. Buyout or trade.

Who's gonna want his contract? Plus, a buyout only saves the Bruins 2M.

Thats 2 more million than they had before. Plus Chara's 800,000 can be replaced with Urho/Lauzon/Zboril. Senyshyn doesn't get 1 mil, he'll get another 2 way contract. Bjork I could see making a tiny bit more. Krug I could see taking 500k less imo if he really wants to stay here. Theyll have about 2-3 tops in cap space next season imo.

What’s your point? 2m saved is 2m saved and it frees a roster spot. For a team that is going to be cap tight 2m might be the difference between being compliant and being over.

As to the question. Someone who wants to get to the cap floor while keeping payroll down. Happens all the time. Teams trade for players with big cap hit but low actual salary for just that purpose. Players that are no longer playing but still under contract and not officially retired get traded just to get their cap hit. Just a bookkeeping move. So a team like the Senators who only have 38M in cap space used next year, a cheap owner that wants to keep payroll down, and can pick up an asset for taking the contract that is actually beneficial to them. Or a team that has the space and is willing to take the hit for a year to aquire long term asset. Can always retain half and trade him too. Saves 3m as opposed to 2. There are ways.

In the end i think he’s bought out though.