-Vintage Canuck- Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Tom Gilbert buyout process will begin with Wild: The Wild has placed Tom Gilbert on unconditional waivers. That is the first necessary step to buy out the remaining one year of the veteran defenseman’s contract. When Gilbert clears Thursday, the Wild plans to use one of its two allowable compliance buyouts on the 30-year-old native of Bloomington. “Due to the NHL salary cap decreasing this season, we needed to make this difficult decision to give the team more flexibility,” said GM Chuck Fletcher in a statement. “We thank Tom for his time with the Wild and wish him the best going forward." Gilbert will receive $1 million in each of the next two seasons (two-thirds of his $3 million salary), but it will free up an additional $4 million of salary cap space this summer for the Wild. This will be the second time Fletcher has bought out a player. Two years ago, he bought out Cam Barker. The Wild won't necessarily just run to free agent Matt Cullen and re-sign him now. The move is designed to give Minnesota more flexibility this offseason. One can assume the Wild will now need to add a defenseman or two this offseason. Gilbert would be free to sign with any team other than Minnesota once free agency opens at 11 a.m. CT Friday. The Wild has already begun making calls on potential replacements. Starting at 11:01 p.m. CT last night, free agents were free to receive calls from other teams. Fletcher said after Sunday’s draft that he expects there could be bargains in free agency because so many players could lose the game of musical chairs with so little money in the system. Fletcher also believes some players may be willing to take two-way contracts (smaller salary in the minors) or accept pro tryouts. Gilbert, acquired from Edmonton at the trade deadline two seasons ago for veteran defenseman Nick Schultz, scored three goals and 18 points in 63 games for his hometown Wild. While this is a move that likely would not have occurred if the Wild didn’t need the cap space, Gilbert did struggle at times last season. He was minus-11 and had to endure a few healthy scratches and decreased ice time. Prior to the season, Gilbert and center Kyle Brodziak, who also had a rough season, each were hit with a type of pneumonia. While neither used the sickness as an excuse, both players lost a lot of weight and Gilbert himself was actually hospitalized. http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/214127971.html If he's a RD, then I think the Canucks can use him if he comes cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFanMike Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 He would be a good fit if he can be signed for cheap.... but I bet he will get a solid amount of money on the FA market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diesel_3 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 You VC! You VC! You numba 10! G.I. numba 1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanBeef Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Alot of decent players are being bought out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bookie Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I wonder if the Wild will try to sign Ballard to a cheap one/two year contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apples Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Alot of decent players are being bought out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Slot Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I see Edm or the Isles grabbing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pavel_Bure 10 Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I see Edm or the Isles grabbing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apples Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I see Edm or the Isles grabbing him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Slot Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Edm just traded him away. Why would they want him back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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