They can
It happened with Foligno, it happened with Savard
It's happened multiple times
Maple Leafs trade for Foligno; Blue Jackets get picks; Sharks involved
Maple Leafs receive: Nick Foligno (at 25-percent of his salary) and Stefan Noesen.
Blue Jackets receive: Maple Leafs’ 2021 first-round pick and 2022 fourth-rounder. Blue Jackets retain 50-percent of Nick Foligno’s salary (according to reports, including that of Cap Friendly).
Sharks receive: Maple Leafs’ 2021 fourth-rounder for absorbing another portion of Nick Foligno’s salary in the trade.
Savard trade breaks down as follows:
Columbus receives: 2021 first-round pick (from Tampa Bay), 2022 third-round pick (from Tampa Bay)
Detroit receives: 2021 fourth-round pick (from Tampa Bay)
Tampa Bay receives: David Savard (from Columbus), Brian Lashoff (from Detroit)
Here is how the three teams got to that point:
Columbus initially traded Savard to the Red Wings for Brian Lashoff and retained 50% of Savard’s remaining salary.
The Red Wings then sent Savard to Tampa Bay for a fourth-round pick and retained 50 % of his remaining salary from the original move with Columbus.
Tampa Bay then sent the two draft picks to Columbus for Lashoff.
All of that maneuvering means Tampa Bay is getting Savard at just 25% of his salary cap hit for the remainder of the season. Given how close they are to the salary cap, that is very important.
Devs have 3- 4th rounders this upcoming year, their own, Isles from Palmieri trade, and Edmonton's from Kulikov trade. Its like Fitz planned on this scenario!
Forgot about Savard getting a 1st!