According to multiple sources, the Nashville Predators have placed center Kyle Turris on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying him out on Wednesday. After failing to trade the center, the Predators are electing to take the cap hit that will come with keeping his buyout on the books, but let him walk to free agency to avoid paying his full salary.
Turris has four years left on his contract at a $6 million cap hit. After being bought out, he will cost the Predators $2 million per season against the cap for the next eight seasons.
When all is said and done, Turris should become a bargain bet for another team in free agency. He’s struggled in Nashville, but there’s a lot of skill there and he could become a player much closer to the pedigree of one drafted as high as he was (3rd overall in 2007).
The Predators also waived Steven Santini.
With the buyouts, the Predators now have $17.7M in cap space with a roster of 15 (8F-5D-2G). It is expected they might go big-name hunting in free agency and could potentially look at a player like Taylor Hall.
Failed Experiment With Turris
News of this buyout will have Predators fans looking back at the deal and realizing what a failed experiment it was to add him. Some will suggest it was among the worst trades in Predators history.
Turris cost the Predators a top-four young defenseman, a second round pick and they gave a division rival a top pick — they gave up Vladislav Kamenev, Samuel Girard and a 2nd round pick. In return, they got an less productive version of the player they wanted and a total of 11-years of paying him on the books.
Brian Lawton on NHL Network says there are rumours Kyle Turris may return to Ottawa.
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