Yamamoto Being Bought Out Detroit wanted the other guy in the trade obviously…. Yamamoto becomes an interesting UFA

Actually according to Darren Dreger, the Wings wanted to keep Yamamoto but couldn't make it work financially.

If you need a small player who won't shoot, and can't get points next to McDavid or Draisaitl, he's a specialist at filling that role.

If you need a small player who won't shoot, and can't get points next to McDavid or Draisaitl, he's a specialist at filling that role.
- DarthProbert

The Islanders need offense and Yamamoto is a good fit.

I expect Lamoriello to sign him this weekend.

Actually according to Darren Dreger, the Wings wanted to keep Yamamoto but couldn't make it work financially.
- ddMoose

That makes no sense. Detroit has $30+ million in cap space. They are more than $8 million under the floor.

That makes no sense. Detroit has $30+ million in cap space. They are more than $8 million under the floor.
- Sven22

Yeah but there's a league minimum salary and Yamamoto ain't worth that much. That's how it didn't work.

Good move by Yzerman. The more I learn about Kostin the more he is exactly the type of player the Wings need... Big, young, tough player who will drop the gloves and still contribute offensively on occasion. Wings need some sandpaper / grit and Kostin looks like a very good pickup by Yzerman without giving up any assets. Looks like a very good replacement for Sundquist... but with more of a mean streak the Wings need. Buying out Yamamoto's salary was the price Yzerman had to pay to get Kostin.

Yeah but there's a league minimum salary and Yamamoto ain't worth that much. That's how it didn't work.
- DarthProbert

I agree Yamamoto is overpaid at $3.1 million if you go by average market value.

But also, if you assume Detroit had to take Yamamoto in order to get Kostin (a reasonable hypothesis), and you figure Kostin signs for something like 2 x $1.75m (roughly), you've now effectively spent $2.25m AAV for Kostin, which is also above market value.

It's maybe a nitpicky point, but I doubt Yamamoto's salary had anything to do with the decision to buy him out. If anyone can eat a million or two of overpay on a stopgap middle six forward with only one year left on his deal right now it's Detroit. It's far more likely that Detroit simply didn't think he was a good fit and would rather have the roster spot.

I agree Yamamoto is overpaid at $3.1 million if you go by average market value.

But also, if you assume Detroit had to take Yamamoto in order to get Kostin (a reasonable hypothesis), and you figure Kostin signs for something like 2 x $1.75m (roughly), you've now effectively spent $2.25m AAV for Kostin, which is also above market value.

It's maybe a nitpicky point, but I doubt Yamamoto's salary had anything to do with the decision to buy him out. If anyone can eat a million or two of overpay on a stopgap middle six forward with only one year left on his deal right now it's Detroit. It's far more likely that Detroit simply didn't think he was a good fit and would rather have the roster spot.
- Sven22

It’s a strategic move by Yzerman… like the Hossa grab. Land him before someone else comes knocking.

Just weird to buy him out when they have so many open positions and no cap crunch, could have let him play for a year and maybe flip him at the TDL.
Doesn't make sense.

Yeah but there's a league minimum salary and Yamamoto ain't worth that much. That's how it didn't work.
- DarthProbert

He is already signed for next season. 3.1 million

Just weird to buy him out when they have so many open positions and no cap crunch, could have let him play for a year and maybe flip him at the TDL.
Doesn't make sense.
- StargateSG1

Although he's somewhat skilled, he's small and injury prone from what the Edmonton people are saying (concussions). Yzerman didn't think he was worth the roster spot it appears. Getting Kostin is the only reason he was willing to take on Yamamoto in this deal since it was just a salary dump for Holland.

He is already signed for next season. 3.1 million
- StargateSG1

And nobody would pay him that. A team he's never played a game for would rather give him half of it to go home and not play at all.

I would take a chance on him

And nobody would pay him that. A team he's never played a game for would rather give him half of it to go home and not play at all.
- DarthProbert

He can have a career season out of that swamp Edmonton and have some real value at the TDL.
You buy him out, you still pay money, albeit less, and no possible return.

And nobody would pay him that. A team he's never played a game for would rather give him half of it to go home and not play at all.
- DarthProbert

Don’t they give him 2/3rds of it?

Good move by Yzerman. The more I learn about Kostin the more he is exactly the type of player the Wings need... Big, young, tough player who will drop the gloves and still contribute offensively on occasion. Wings need some sandpaper / grit and Kostin looks like a very good pickup by Yzerman without giving up any assets. Looks like a very good replacement for Sundquist... but with more of a mean streak the Wings need. Buying out Yamamoto's salary was the price Yzerman had to pay to get Kostin.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Kostin looked good in the SCPO. Tough to play against, hit like a freight train, actually strong on his out-let passes. I thought Yamamoto would be waived, clear, and go to GR if one of the kids (Soderblom, Mazur??) stood out this summer & at camp....but he's gone, and we pay a paltry amount for a big dude who's growing into his game. This could ve interesting.....

Wings are working on a 2yr deal for him.