TSN.ca Staff
6/29/2006 11:28:21 PM
As the Toronto Maple Leafs work towards bringing back a familiar face in Gary Roberts, who has asked the Florida Panthers to trade him back to Toronto for personal reasons, we will perhaps find out on Friday whether the Tie Domi era in Toronto is over.
Domi is one of the most popular Leafs and has one year remaining on his contract at a salary of $1.25 million, but sources tell TSN the Maple Leafs are seriously considering buying out Domi, which could effectively end his days as a Leaf and could conceivably spell the end to his 17-year NHL career.
If the Leafs decide to pursue the buy-out option, and a final decision one way or the other is expected Friday, Domi will have to be put on waivers before 12 noon. Once he clears waivers, the Leafs would be obliged to pay Domi two-thirds of his remaining salary, or $825,000, over the next two years.
But, as per the new CBA, because Domi is older than 35 and on a multi-year contract, his entire salary of $1.25 million would count against the Leafs' salary cap figure next season no matter what, whether he's bought out or retired or sent to the minors or playing on their roster.
Some might surmise that alone is reason enough to not buy out Domi - the only savings realized by the team on a buyout would be the $425,000 they wouldn't be paying him -- but what it does suggest is that if the Leafs do buy out Domi it's because they no longer feel he can contribute to their team or they simply don't want him on the roster.
Sources say Domi and his representatives, aware the buyout is a possibility, would like a chance to play for new head coach Paul Maurice at training camp in the fall and delay any decision on his future with the club until then.
So Friday appears to be double d-day for the Leafs - Domi decision day.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are expected to not exercise the option on netminder Ed Belfour's contract for next season, which would trigger a $1.5 million payout to Belfour. That sum would have to be paid out to Belfour over two years, with $750,000 counting against the Leafs' cap next season and another $750,000 counting against the Leafs' cap the following season.
6/29/2006 11:28:21 PM
As the Toronto Maple Leafs work towards bringing back a familiar face in Gary Roberts, who has asked the Florida Panthers to trade him back to Toronto for personal reasons, we will perhaps find out on Friday whether the Tie Domi era in Toronto is over.
Domi is one of the most popular Leafs and has one year remaining on his contract at a salary of $1.25 million, but sources tell TSN the Maple Leafs are seriously considering buying out Domi, which could effectively end his days as a Leaf and could conceivably spell the end to his 17-year NHL career.
If the Leafs decide to pursue the buy-out option, and a final decision one way or the other is expected Friday, Domi will have to be put on waivers before 12 noon. Once he clears waivers, the Leafs would be obliged to pay Domi two-thirds of his remaining salary, or $825,000, over the next two years.
But, as per the new CBA, because Domi is older than 35 and on a multi-year contract, his entire salary of $1.25 million would count against the Leafs' salary cap figure next season no matter what, whether he's bought out or retired or sent to the minors or playing on their roster.
Some might surmise that alone is reason enough to not buy out Domi - the only savings realized by the team on a buyout would be the $425,000 they wouldn't be paying him -- but what it does suggest is that if the Leafs do buy out Domi it's because they no longer feel he can contribute to their team or they simply don't want him on the roster.
Sources say Domi and his representatives, aware the buyout is a possibility, would like a chance to play for new head coach Paul Maurice at training camp in the fall and delay any decision on his future with the club until then.
So Friday appears to be double d-day for the Leafs - Domi decision day.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are expected to not exercise the option on netminder Ed Belfour's contract for next season, which would trigger a $1.5 million payout to Belfour. That sum would have to be paid out to Belfour over two years, with $750,000 counting against the Leafs' cap next season and another $750,000 counting against the Leafs' cap the following season.
