It looks like Matt Moulson’s career as a Buffalo Sabre is likely ending. Buffalo put him on waivers today and if no team claims him by noon tomorrow he’ll be assigned to the Rochester Amerks.
Here’s a spoiler alert — nobody is going to claim him.
For those fans thinking the Sabres are reverting back to tanking, this isn’t a move that would accompany that line of thinking. In fact, if Buffalo were tanking I’d consider a Moulson promotion to the first line. Why? The former three-time 30 goal scorer with the New York Islanders is pointless in 14 games this season, literally zero points. He’s been a healthy scratch 13 other times.
Moulson signed a five-year, $25 million contract in 2014, meaning he’s still got another year left after this season. Once he clears waivers and goes to Rochester the Sabres will save $1.025 million against the cap. That means Moulson will be getting paid $3.975 million to play hockey in the AHL for what’s likely to be the rest of the season.
It’s almost a lock he’ll be bought out for his final year in 2018-19 next summer.
Meanwhile, Darren Dreger is reporting teams are calling to sniff around Sabres goaltenders Robin Lehner and Chad Johnson. Things are finally starting to get interesting with Buffalo off the ice — a far cry from anything on it.