Im getting A LOT of emails regarding the moves the Leafs have done today. A lot of you are unsure exactly what has happened, so here is exactly what has gone down.
Darcy Tucker is being bought out. I spoke to a source who confirmed that Tucker has a NMC and thus was given the decision if he would like to be placed on waivers. Tucker rejected that, and will immediatly be bought out. Tucker does not have to be placed or clear waivers, and thus will do niether.
Raycroft has been placed on waivers, but will not be bought out I have been told. The team will likely wait until Fall, and place Raycroft on re-entry waivers. If he clears, they may just keep him in the minors for the season. Buying Raycroft out makes very little sense for the Leafs at this point, though I guess with Toronto, anything could happen.
Wellwood has also been placed on waivers. If he clears, the Leafs will have to decide whether or not to qualify him. His rights could still be traded between now and july 1st as well. Vancouver, Minnesota and Phoenix are teams I have heard may be willing to take a chance on Wellwood, who I believe still has a lot of game left in him.
Aside from Raycroft, I am not a fan of the moves Cliff Fletcher has made today. I think Tucker should have been kept for one more season, while Wellwood is still young and deserves another chance. The Leafs are re-building, they can afford to take chances on a couple of question mark players. I expect Tucker to sign somewhere in the Northeast, so he can show the Leafs exactly what they bought out.
