If the Philadelphia Flyers are going to buy out R.J. Umberger, they’re not going to do so on Wednesday, according to CSNPhilly.com.
As a reminder, Umberger himself believes that the Flyers should go ahead and do it.
“I expect one,” Umberger admitted back in late April. “Who wouldn’t after my season? That’s something up to them, their decision. Business side of it, you can’t control that.”
Ouch, that’s kind of depressing, isn’t it?
Umberger carries a $4.6 million cap hit (and $4.5 million salary) into 2016-17. This is what the buyout would look like, according to Cap Friendly:
In case that chart is too small, the Flyers would rake in short-term gains (saving $3 million in 2016-17) in exchange for eating costs and spreading a $3.1 million cap hit over two seasons ($1.6 million in 2016-17, $1.5 million in 2017-18).
If they do not buy out Umberger, they’d eat that big cost of $4.6 million for 2016-17 but it would then expire.
One thing to consider beyond the contract in a vacuum the Flyers’ serious cap freedom after 2016-17.
Just look at their defense. Mark Streit ($5.25M cap hit), Michael Del Zotto ($3.875M) and Nick Schultz ($2.25M) will be off the cap ... yet Shayne Gostisbehere’s rookie deal also expires.
Perhaps those larger machinations explain why the Flyers are taking their time. Regardless, we’ll find out which way they’ll lean soon enough.