Insider Reveals the High Cost of Shedding Salary in the NHL and It's Insane

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TJ Tucker
September 23, 2023 (9:25 PM)

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It's no secret the Ottawa Senators want out of Mathieu Joseph's contract. The 22-year-old was signed to a new four-year deal during the summer of 2022, but sputtered last season, scoring three goals at 18 points in 56 games. However, according to one insider, Ottawa will pay a massive price to get out of the deal due to a lack of takers.

According to Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period, Philadelphia is one of the few teams with extra cap space in 2023-24. In order to take Joseph's contract, he says the Flyers want a king's ransom.

"According to several league sources, the belief is that it will take a 1st round pick or a prospect equivalent to do so."

"The high price required to dump Joseph is based on the scarcity of teams who have the required cap space."

"Philadelphia 'would listen' if Ottawa opened up on the idea of moving one of their 1st RDs or prospect equivalent (Boucher?) to trade Joseph."

"But the ball is in Ottawa's court now as they exhaust all other avenues for a cheaper option."

The Boucher being referred to in the post is Tyler Boucher, the 10th overall pick in 2021. The forward has yet to play in the NHL, but has some great potential. Either way, trading Joseph to Philly would come with a high price.

Ottawa may have no choice but to circle back to the Flyers before everything is said and done. The Sens have been adamant about not just competing for a playoff spot, but making a run in 2023-24. Meanwhile, Di Marco's colleague Dave Pagnotta is stressing that the high price in this trade will extend to any salary dump attempts this season.

"Asking price from teams willing to take on a cap hit around $3M is a 1st round pick or top tier prospect. Sens have obviously been reluctant to pay that price, so far. But to sign RFA Shane Pinto and Josh Bailey (on a PTO), Ottawa will need more space."

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