Had to happen, one of Girardi or Staal had to go, but the buyout isn't this huge windfall of cap savings.
Season Savings Cap Hit
2017-18 $2,888,889 $2,611,111
2018-19 $1,888,889 $3,611,111
2019-20 $1,888,889 $3,611,111
2020-21 $0 $1,111,111
2021-22 $0 $1,111,111
2022-23 $0 $1,111,111
Next season save basically 2.9 mill. The following two seasons save basically 1.9 mill. And then we get 3 dead seasons of 1.1 mill against the cap. So good, but obviously not ideal.
With that said, with Klein retiring and Girardi bought out that is an extra 5.8 mill of cap space next season, so that is huge. Should be able to resign Smith for 1.5 or so more than what Klein was scheduled to make, and if we can sign Shatt for a Girardi or Staal type cap # of 5.5 to 5.7 we'd be in a real solid spot on D. He'd have to take a NY discount, but if he did I'd be okay with him. Anything more than 5.6 +/- and I pass.
I know some don't love Shatt, but he is a # 2/3 dman, who is a R shot and a PP QB, he would be an upgrade and only costs money. And I'd say a top 4 D of McDonagh/Shatt and Skjei/Smith is darn solid, and a clear big upgrade from this past season with Shatt added/Smith here for a full season/Skjei going to improve. A 3rd pair of Staal/Holden/Russian kid/Kampfer is decent also. That is a solid D if it plays out that way. And even if it isn't Shatt and/or Smith you know our top 4 will have a very different look next season, and good dmen will be added, whomever they may be. So that is a good thing.
As a side note, I don't care how he gets it done, Gorton needs to be 1000% sure Lindberg is off limits to LV. We cannot lose him. Be it Raanta, or Fast, or Grabner or Holden so be it, we cannot let Lindberg get away. That would be a huge F up by Gorton if it happens.