It has come to my attention that there is a common misconception about Sean Avery’s waiver status floating around the inter-web. The first misconception is that Avery can’t be demoted due to the fact he was claimed off of re-entry waivers. This is incorrect. The second misconception is that Avery can be demoted, but if he is claimed, then his salary cap would be split three ways between the Stars, Rangers, and the claiming team. This too is incorrect. Turns out this is correct. Apparently section 50.9 of the CBA doesn’t mean what the world thought it did.

So what’s real and what’s internet fodder?

Avery was put on re-entry waivers by Dallas and was then claimed by the Rangers. The Stars and the Rangers split his salary/cap hit for the remainder of the contract. You hopefully know this.

Now if the Rangers put Avery on regular waivers and is claimed by a third team, then team 3 assumes the Rangers’ responsibilities. The Stars and team 3 now split Avery’s cap hit.

If Avery isn’t claimed and clears waivers, but the Rangers later recall him from the minors and another team claims him on the way back up, team 3 splits the cost with the Rangers. Dallas is now off the hook.

UPDATE: According to the NHL via Puck Daddy, this is how it would break down for Avery.

“If Avery were claimed on re-entry waivers, his salary would be paid by and count against three teams’ caps with this breakdown: Dallas 50 percent, Rangers 25 percent, New Team 25 percent.”

Share: 

More About: