Sabres forward Cody Hodgson has been placed on waivers today in order to buy out the 25-year-old. The deadline for Buffalo to make such a move was tomorrow.
Hodgson’s departure is not surprising in the least. His production took a major hit this season, as he only scored six goals and seven assists in 78 games. He may only be one year removed from a 44 point season, but even when he produced his defense has consistently been questioned. He was one of the worst possession players and skaters on the Sabres.
He had four years left on a six-year deal and is owed $19 million. Since he isn’t older than 25, the Sabres can buy him out for only one third of his owed salary. That $6.3 will be paid over the next eight seasons, continuing to factor into the team’s cap. The cap hit will start at just over $1 million, decreasing each year.
Acquired at the 2012 trade deadline from Vancouver, Hodgson played in parts of four NHL seasons with the Sabres. He scored 44 goals and 55 assists in 218 games.