True. He's benefited from having Therrien as his coach, who has given him top minutes and first PP unit assignments when others deserved those more. I do, however, feel like this year, he will not be on the line-up (at least not at first). MB will wait to see how things shape up at training camp to see how far some of the prospects have come. If they perform as I personally believe they will (Hudon in particular), they will force MB to place DD on waivers and if he isn't claimed, he'll be sent to the AHL. MB is in no rush to send him to the minors yet. Not to mention if MB can land Shipachyov if he is able to come to the NHL, that will shake things up.
I do feel like DD will be a real good mentor to the young guys in the minors. He will be more useful to the organization down there.
Buying him out will save more cap space but, Habs still have Parenteau this season and then they'll have DD on the books next year. If they send him to the minors, they only save 950K on the cap this year, but will save his entire 3.5M next season instead of still having 2/3 of his AAV on the cap next season.
If they land Shipachyov, I can see them buying DD out because they'll need the space almost immediately to make sure they have Ship's cap within the limit.