Quote:
Originally Posted by Flash Walken
Ballard this year, Luongo next.
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I don't know how many times we have to go over this.
Take any player. Look at his value and then his contract. Then ask, "would anyone want to trade a 7th round pick for this guy?" If the answer is yes, then you do not buy him out. Period.
Someone would clearly trade a 7th round pick for Luongo. Likely, they will get a fair bit more than that - a pick plus a player or two is the latest Leafs rumour. If Gillis said, "I'll take a 7th rounder", Burke would accept in a heartbeat. Consequently, there is zero chance he is bought out.
Ballard, on the other hand... it's not clear whether another team would be willing to pay him what he's making so he may not be worth a 7th rounder. It would depend on another team coming to the conclusion that his struggles in Vancouver are a result of the team and the system and that he would be a top 4 guy on their team (as he was in PHX and FLA). So it is more likely that he is bought out.