You are misinterpreting. ...If they buy-out DeAngelo first, they no longer own his rights...
I know Seattle can select pending UFA's if they are left exposed (could be risky as they could become full UFA's at Free Agency).
However, NYR would be giving up ADA's rights if they buy him out. He will no longer be affiliated with NYR ... The Wild just bought out Suter & Parise. Seattle (or anyone) can sign them right now if they wish...
guys -
below is another data point that contradicts the expectations that
- a buyout recipient becomes immediately a UFA and
- buyout team has no rights or claim immediately
Wild's buy-outs must be recorded prior to ED, or Wild would have to protect those guys - which they will not.
Russo is a long-time and respected NHL beat writer
Wild buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter: Sources
"...Wild general manager Bill Guerin called both Parise and Suter to inform each of them that the team is buying out the remaining four years of each of their contracts.
Both players will become free agents on July 28.
..."
This implies that buy-out recipients become pending UFA's - just like Brendan Smith ...
i am not pretending to have clarity in any direction,
this is obviously a corner case, involving lesser-know guidelines.
Perhaps off-season buy-outs have different timelines than in-season,
ie such that guys only become UFA when FA season begins, with all the more typical pending UFA's ...