The Wild were looking at recapture penalties no matter what.
If they retired after this season, they'd have to pay the $6M salaries this year, and then cap hits of:
7.538 (this year)
6.205 (+750k)
6.205 (+750k)
6.205 (+750k)
=26.15M (28.40) [$6M cash]
If they retired after the following season (due $2M salary that year):
7.538
7.538
6.538 (+750k)
6.538 (+750k)
=28.15M (29.65) [$8M cash]
Current scenario:
2.372 (+750k)
6.372 (+750k)
7.372 (+750k)
7.372 (+750k)
0.833
0.833
0.833
0.833
=26.82 (29.82) [$6.6M cash]
I'm not sure what the buyout would have meant after this year, but you'd have to factor in the ED implications. The $750k is for the replacement player if their not on the roster.
Basically all of the options are terrible...this at least solves the ED and moves the most painful years to Zuc's last year and after. Zuc's contract is more buyout proof, but they might be able to shed him to ARI/FLA after paying his signing bonus next year. He put up 35p in 42gp last year, so not too bad.
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