The Philadelphia Flyers are clearing some cap space ahead of what could be a busy summer in the NHL. GM Ron Hextall confirmed that the team is in the process of buying out the last year of forward R.J. Umberger's contract. The move could be completed as early as Thursday.
The 2016-17 season was to be the last on Umberger's five-year, $23 million deal originally signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. By buying the veteran out, the Flyers will save $3 million against the salary cap next season, but will have a $1.5 million hit attached to the 2017-18 salary cap.
Since Umberger has a no-movement clause in his contract, it's up to him whether or not he wants to be put on waivers. There's probably little reason to do it, however, as it would be hard for any team to justify claiming him and his $4.6 million against the cap. Should Umberger decline waivers, the team can start the buyout process without waiting to make sure he clears.
UPDATE: The Flyers announced Thursday at 3:33 p.m. ET, that the club has officially bought out the final year on Umberger's contract without having to put him on waivers.
Either way, Umberger's tenure with the Flyers is over. He joined the team ahead of the 2014-15 campaign when he was shipped out of Columbus for forward Scott Hartnell. It was Umberger's second stint in Philadelphia, as he had played the first three seasons of his NHL career there. In his second run with the club, Umberger appeared in just 106 games over two seasons. He had 26 points.
The 34-year-old could still catch on with another team as he'll become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but it would undoubtedly have to be at a deeply discounted rate from what he was making on his most recent contract.
A veteran of 779 NHL games, Umberger has five seasons of 20 or more goals under his belt. He put up 392 points over 11 seasons spent between Philadelphia and Columbus.
Among the many important things on Hextall's to do list, now that he has a little more cap space to work with, is signing Brayden Schenn to a new contract extension, which will surely come with a hefty raise for the restricted free agent. Others on expiring contracts include defensemen Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning, as well as forwards Nick Cousins and Jordan Weal. Meanwhile, Ryan White may be the only pending unrestricted free agent the team will look to retain for next season.
No matter how you slice it, getting an extra $3 million in cap space will be extremely valuable for the savvy Flyers GM.
