The Colorado Avalanche placed defenseman Brad Stuart on waivers Tuesday, with the intention of buying out his contract, according to general manager Joe Sakic in the Denver Post.
The 36-year-old Stuart is a veteran of 16 NHL seasons and was entering the final year of a two-year, $7.2 million deal. But a lingering back injury has limited his ability to play. He found his way into just six games last season, his second with the club.
The buyout has the team paying Stuart $1.2 million in each of the next two seasons, but since the contract was signed when Stuart was over 35, they will receive no cap relief with the buyout, only an actual cash savings.
The team is able to officially buy out his contract on Wednesday as long as he passes through waivers unclaimed, as he is expected to.