Confirmed with Link: Will Butcher and a 5th to BUF for future considerations

[Emperoreddy]

This makes it more random although I guess that’s why we’re giving up a 5 instead of a 4, and it’s not like we can carry over our retention slot till next season.

He might have asked to be traded too. Who knows.

 

[Darkauron]

We had 3 4th round picks and 2 5th round picks for next season. We are not going to miss one 5th rounder lol.

 

[Blender]

Maybe there is a bit of an internal cap? Or yeah not wanting to have an unhappy player in the locker room who you don't intend to use.

Roster spot move I'd guess, they don't want him taking up a roster spot they can use on someone else, but didn't think he'd be claimed on waivers.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Congrats on Dougie! Could you give this Sabres fan a run down on Butcher? What role he should or shouldn’t play in?

left side?

Smart player who can pass and shoot well enough, but is a horrid skater and softer than butter. We want to be an up-tempo transition and forechcking team and Butcher just simply can't play that game. He can be an adequate PP QB but shouldn't be leaned on as the go-to PP guy. He needs to be heavily sheltered at ES on the 3rd pairing. Has played RD before but is a natural LD.

We have three NHL LD ahead of him and a few nice AHL prospects who will be getting looks over the next year or two. He was going to sit in the press box all year. I wish him the best but don't expect much.

 

[Classic Devil]

I'd say that Fitz must really want cap space, but ... I mean, we've got plenty, so that makes no sense.

 

[The 29th Pick]

I really hate giving away 5th round picks but....!

 

[SJinNewJersey]

Gotta say the folks running Capfriendly are on the ball today.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Guys, this isn't that hard. He's an overpaid defender who isn't going to be in the lineup when we're fully healthy. They did him a solid and moved him to get a different or better opportunity. Giving up a 5th and retaining a million while we're still under the cap is meaningless. It's better to move a guy who doesn't fit rather than hold him hostage.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

GET THAT CAT OUTTA THE WAY

 

[Devilsfan992]

Not part of our future plans anyways. Cuts 4.1 off the books.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

If he was gonna be a problem, using a 5th to get rid of him is fine. I guess that's better than a buyout, a 5th rounder is nothing.

 

[Forge]

Guys, this isn't that hard. He's an overpaid defender who isn't going to be in the lineup when we're fully healthy. They did him a solid and moved him to get a different or better opportunity. Giving up a 5th and retaining a million while we're still under the cap is meaningless. It's better to move a guy who doesn't fit rather than hold him hostage.

This is fair. May have just been a solid for Butcher. I can get behind that.

 

[captainscott]

People are overthinking this trade. Butcher is a 7th defenseman in this league. And a niche player at that. He isn’t an every day NHL defenseman who is gonna be out of the league in a year or two. Being paid 4 million it’s a great trade for the team and owners financially and he won’t now block a roster spot for a guy like Bahl

 

[Emperoreddy]

Honestly I think they just wanted to do him a solid and get him out a situation where he wasn't going to play and unfortunately he has zero value

 

[Devilsfan992]

I'm sure ownership is happy to dump his 4.1 mil salary this season if he wasn't going to be used.

This is the correct answer.

 

[My3Sons]

He was sensational as a rookie next to Ben Lovejoy in a sheltered 3rd pairing role. I think he could have some success in that role again. He just can’t skate and is very weak. But I think he can still make it in the NHL.

Ben made everyone much better just by basking in his glow.

 

[TheUnseenHand]

 

[My3Sons]

Guys, this isn't that hard. He's an overpaid defender who isn't going to be in the lineup when we're fully healthy. They did him a solid and moved him to get a different or better opportunity. Giving up a 5th and retaining a million while we're still under the cap is meaningless. It's better to move a guy who doesn't fit rather than hold him hostage.

I don’t get it? This is all very confusing.

 

[MartyOwns]

yeah that’s…stupid. but whatever.

 

[Guttersniped]

Doing him a favor? Beats me unless we’re about to go full Joker from the original Batman movie and just spray money everywhere

Doing the Devils a favor of not paying him 4.1m dollars to be a depth defenseman. Buffalo doesn’t have a lot of defensemen or payroll.

 

[Andre Palot]

Whatever I'm still wearing my Butcher jersey proudly.

 

[pkbrux]

I think this shows the few folks here who claimed he still had value and we could get something for him in a trade, that very clearly, he had no value and we had to pay to get rid of him.

It may be random, but he is easily my least favorite Devil to watch on the ice in the last 10 years.

 

[Offseason Champs]

I know it’s unpopular but I always liked Butcher. Hopefully he gets a chance to play in Buffalo since he wasn’t getting it here.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

basically lets just pretend we traded Butcher and a 5th for Dougie lmao

 

[captainscott]

basically lets just pretend we traded Butcher and a 5th for Dougie lmao

The future considerations will probably be getting like A 6th back if he makes a certain amount of appearances. Anyway. Good smart move by fitz good luck butcher.