why do people think oh I'll just waive My Full NTC that i paid for in either AAV or term? MindBoggling

Could see them making some sort of trade like this. Sheary is actually an underrated player and has had success in the top 6 in Pitt. Also if they go Van Riemsdyck not really a need to resign Rutta. So throw Sheary on the third line and Hagel up in Perry's spot or leave Hagel on the third line and put Sheary in the top six for some more balance. A third line of Sheary/Hagel - Paul - and Hathaway could be pretty effective

still would love a rational explanation to why Mcdonagh waives making everything else mute. he goes from min 47 games a yearhe doesn't pay state income tax on to a max of 8 playing for the caps?

Plenty of guys have done it, but I don't see it happening this offseason. After next year though, it's definitely possible that either he is asked and.does waive to facilitate a trade, or there's the buy out option if it comes down to it being the only way to keep all 4 of Serg, Cirelli, Cernak and Colton. His buy out hit would only be 430k the 1st year, then 1.9 the next when the cap is presumably going up by more than a million. It gets steep for one year at like 4.6, then just over 2 the final 3 years. Not saying this is the best option, but McD will be 34 after next season and he's logged alot of miles. While Serg still has his warts, he hasn't plateaued yet imo, and so if he takes a deal gbe team can live with, losing him vs buying out/trading McD is a very realistic option.

Not very often and maybe they threaten a buy out, but doubt serious;y he waives. I also believe it's bad for the locker room if they do.

Nah, it's just business. In the end, if possible, the team shouldn't be losing 24 year old Serg to keep 34 year old McD. For the team to remain in their window as long as possible, moves like that have to be made sometimes.

Intriguing for the caps. I think if they completely strike out on all offensive FAs they might consider it. Otherwise it creates just a few more problems than it solves for them -- LD is not really a big need, those three guys are great depth pieces I don't think they would be able to replace at the same cap hit, and McDonagh's 6.75m is 6.75m less they can give to Miller, Nichuskin, Kadri, Kuemper, etc.. The first round pick is definitely nice though and would give them some more trade ammo.

Defense isn't really a huge need for the Caps, I dunno why everybody thinks we need defenseman lmao