The Buffalo Sabres made another player move on Thursday, acquiring the rights to retired defenceman Johnny Boychuk from the New York Islanders in exchange for future considerations.
Although Boychuk retired almost a year ago after suffering an eye injury in 2019-20, his $6-million salary-cap hit is still on the Islanders’ books. By trading for Boychuk’s rights, the Sabres have given themselves plenty of room above the salary-cap floor to maneuver when it comes to player assignments, especially to and from Rochester of the AHL.
This move was necessitated by the trading earlier on Thursday of Jack Eichel and his $10 million salary to the Vegas Golden Knights. In addition, new Sabre Alex Tuch’s $4.75 million salary does not apply because he’s on injured reserve as well.
According to the Buffalo News, Boychuk’s salary means the Sabres are around $14 million from the cap ceiling.
Boychuk decided to end his 13-year NHL career after undergoing numerous and extensive medical exams on his eye. The then-36-year-old required stitches and plastic surgery after being cut across his right eyelid by the skate of Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen on March 3, 2020.
It was the second injury to the same eye in Boychuk’s career.
The hard-shooting Boychuk played six seasons each with the Islanders and Boston, where Boychuk won a Stanley Cup in 2011. From Edmonton, Boychuk broke into the NHL with Colorado after being selected by the Avalanche in the second round of the 2002 draft.
Overall, he had 54 goals and 152 assists for 206 points in 725 career games.
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