Evan's Daily

Evan’s NHL Daily: Leafs Force Game Seven, Potential Dubois Buyout

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2024

Evan Rawal

If you ask me, it’s been a sub-par round one of the NHL playoffs. A lot of the series haven’t been all that close, especially out East, but we now have at least one Game Seven confirmed, as the Toronto Maple Leafs have managed to claw their way back into the series with the Boston Bruins.

Pierre-Luc Dubois wanted to go Los Angeles, but his first year went about as poorly as you could imagine. They may look to move him, but is a buyout possible?

At CHN, we took a look back at the series between the Avalanche and Jets and one more road blog from round one.

All that and more in this Friday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Happy to not have to go back to Winnipeg if it means I can avoid border patrol.

Who was the best player in round one and why was it Artturi Lehkonen? Series debrief.

CHN

Leafs Force Game Seven

Without Auston Matthews, one of the best players in the NHL, the Toronto Maple Leafs have clawed their way back into the series and forced a Game Seven against Boston. William Nylander scored both goals, and the Leafs essentially shut out Boston, giving up a goal with just 0.1 seconds left. Game Seven will take place on Saturday, with round two confirmed to start on Sunday for the Rangers and Hurricanes.

I picked the Leafs in seven, so they’re making me at least look somewhat decent here. Part of the reason why I picked them is I don’t trust the Bruins depth down the middle, and that’s starting to rear its head a little bit. It’s been a bizarre series, though. Certainly didn’t think they’d come back without the best goal scorer in the NHL.

HAVE A NIGHT WILLIAM NYLANDER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/D4tLZK9Fcw

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 3, 2024

If you’re an Avalanche fan, are you rooting for another Game Seven between Dallas and Vegas?

Dubois Buyout?

Is there a bigger disappointment in the NHL than Pierre-Luc Dubois?

There’s a lot of hype for someone who can’t seem to put it together. His first year with the Kings went very poorly, as he picked up just 40 points in 82 games, and followed that up with one point in five playoff games. At times, he found himself on the fourth line, and has been called out by multiple coaches this season.

He’s set to make $59 million over the next seven seasons, but there is a way for the Kings to get out of it quickly if they aren’t able to trade him.

A buyout.

They’d be on the hook for a lot, but it also would depend on when the NHL season ends. If he’s bought out before he turns 26, the Kings would be on the hook for 1/3 of his deal instead of 2/3. Kind of a big difference.

So is it a 1/3 or 2/3 buyout?

If the cup is awarded June 23, they cannot buy him out until after he turns 26, meaning 2/3 buyout.

If cup is awarded before June 22, they could potentially buy him out before he turns 26, making it a 1/3 buyout. https://t.co/VrNAe9JnO5

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) May 2, 2024

Odds of it happening are low, but not impossible. They’d be on the hook for a cap hit for 14 seasons. Most of the seasons, that cap hit would be around $1.5 million, but for a few years, it’s double that. I’m not sure anyone is trading for that contract, so it’s something to watch if the NHL season finishes before June 22.