"The Nashville Predators placed defenseman Brett Lebda on waivers and intend on buying him out should he clear, Rogers Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported on Saturday.
If Nashville indeed buys out Lebda and his $1.45 million salary, the team would carry cap hits of $516,667 and $466,667 in each of the next two seasons.
As Predators blog On The Forecheck notes, an NHL rule prohibits teams with only one salary arbitration hearing from buying out players outside of a June 15-30 window; the Predators, given recent events, appear to fall in that category. If that's the case, a Lebda buyout may not be possible.
Earlier in the week, Predators defenseman Shea Weber, a Norris Trophy finalist, was awarded $7.5 million in arbitration. Both sides failed to agree on a long-term deal, and Weber will be a restricted free agent after next season.
The Weber decision prompted speculation over whether the Predators could afford to sign him to a long-term deal; Nashville is one of the league's smallest markets and star goalie Pekka Rinne and defenseman Ryan Suter are also scheduled to hit free agency after the 2011-12 season."
