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Darcy Tucker Cannot Be Moved

June 10, 2008, 6:44 PM ET [ Comments]
Howard Berger
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
TORONTO (June 10) -- Just to clear up a matter relating to my blog on Darcy Tucker from Monday night, the long-time Leafs' winger has a no-movement clause in his contract. There was some confusion over whether Tucker's restriction applied only to trades, but he, in fact, cannot be dealt, or demoted to the AHL Toronto Marlies. The only option the Leafs have in paring him from the club -- if they so choose -- is to buy out the remaining three years of his deal. There has been rampant speculation that interim GM Cliff Fletcher will exercise that option in his attempt to dismember the core of the failed Maple Leafs' roster, something he sought to accomplish, without success, at the trade deadline in February.

If the Leafs decide to purchase the remainder of Tucker's contract, they must first provide him with a 24-hour window to either accept the buyout, or choose to be placed on unconditional waivers. In just about every circumstance, a player will elect the buyout option, for it comes with both a monetary handshake (two-thirds of the remaining dollar figure) and unrestricted free agency. In the case where a player may not feel good about his potential value on the open market, he might choose to be waived through the league, hoping a team would pick up his existing contract.

Tucker's current deal becomes a "limited no-move" after the third year. Which means that following the 2009-10 season, he can be traded to any of 20 teams in the NHL. There are nine cities that he can reject in trade negotiations. He cannot be demoted to the American Hockey League at any point.

This is why Tucker has been the subject of buyout speculation for several months now. He certainly did not receive a ringing endorsement from new Leafs' coach Ron Wilson, who acknowledged in his introductory press conference that he admired the gritty winger, but felt he had "worn down" in the past few seasons. That clearly shouldn't be viewed as an indictment of Tucker, who has always played a foot taller and 20 pounds heavier than his actual size. But, there's no question his willingness to crash and bang has taken its toll.

The two-week buyout window opens this Sunday, though Fletcher has said he will not entertain the option until after the NHL Draft proceedings in Ottawa, June 20-21.

Fletcher has also suggested that before considering a buyout, he would attempt to coerce a player with a no-movement clause into accepting a trade. But, Tucker's agent -- Carlos Sosa -- was adamant when I spoke with him Monday night that Tucker would not even consider such a notion. So, that leads to the Leafs either buying out Tucker's deal and accepting a $1 million salary-cap hit over the next six NHL seasons, or hanging onto him.

We'll know for sure sometime in the next three weeks.

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