For a team that is still below the salary cap floor - sending a 5th to take Will Butcher is not required. If for some reason, they need Cap space later, they could bury his money in the minors (Where he could serve as a living, breathing example to the younger players of what not to do when you get to the NHL) Prediction - he has a good season next year in Buffalo, and Devils fans are female doging that we got nothing for him.
- ChipArm
This seems like an internal budget decision more then a hockey decision. If we had kept Butcher he likely could have been traded after the season started and injuries occur. Not saying we would have gotten anything of value for him, but maybe not pay someone to take him.
That said, it's no biggie either way.