Likely pretty close to what will actually transpire.

I see Bear and Coghlan in competition for the 3RD spot, the loser is the 7D. Chatfield and LaJoie sent to Chicago and a vet LD signed for league min to play with Bear/Coghlan.

Gardiner isn't buyout eligible. He never passed his year end physical.

https://twitter.com/CardiacCane/status/1555370863754608640

This is all speculation. It’s unclear if he took it or not. Cardiac Cane (which isn’t a great source) said he wasn’t in Raleigh all year but that’s not true. I’m not saying I know whether or not he passed a physical or not, I’m just saying it’s unclear and nothing has been confirmed so I wouldn’t be surprised either way.

And based of of GMDW comments yesterday it seems as if they’re looking at that as an option if necessary so that makes me think he did have a physical and is eligible to be bought out in the second window after Lajoie arb.

CC isn't a great source, but it's a secondary source. The source here is PuckPedia, which is a reliable source. CC is just stating it. PuckPedia having also liked that tweet makes me think that it's come straight from the horses mouth here.

I digress, Gardiner wasn't in Raleigh after he was cleared to return... right? He's not been there since the end of the playoffs unless I'm missing something. So he cannot have done a year-end physical if he's not been there... Just because the buyout window will open doesn't mean they use it. Waddell also stated the fact they could run a roster without a buyout. Said it would be tight but doable.

That’s my point. It’s speculation. Not the rule referenced but when he’s been in Raleigh and if he had a physical.

I don’t think it’s a big deal either way. The team has a good grasp on the situation

Your last sentence is a good point.

The Canes front office looks at every option. I don’t think they would have allowed Gardiner to have missed any formality such as a year end physical that would have disqualified him from being bought out. They likely would have wanted to ensure that the buyout option was available to them if they needed it.

Now there’s some healthy speculation on my part. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that actually was close to them making sure all options are on the table for them.

Well, having missed the end of year physical wouldn't disqualify him from being boughout. He, in theory, could do it at this very moment to be buyout eligible. If he wasn't physically able to do the end of year physical (which is the point of this rule, to keep players who retire injured from getting screwed over in a salary cap world) then he would in theory be able to do it now if he needed to. Now, he'd have to agree to it and the team couldn't make him do it because he'd be aiding his own buyout, but it is an interesting situation.