The Wild, looking to clear cap space this offseason, has placed veteran Matt Cooke on waivers. If he clears, the next route would be a buyout.
Matt Cooke placed on waivers; buyout next?
Cooke, 36, who had an injury-ravaged season, was limited to only 29 regular-season games and seven playoff games.
By mikerusso
June 18, 2015 at 8:56PM
![Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Cooke (24) trades obscenities with Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) from the Wild bench in the third period. ] AARON LAVINSKY � aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The Minnesota Wild take on the Winnipeg Jets Saturday, Dec. 27, 2015 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/CRGJE5GUQM5LAD3XV24TN7RZTY.jpg?&w=712)
Cooke, 36, who had an injury-ravaged season and was limited to only 29 regular-season games and seven playoff games, has one more year left on his contract at a $2.5 million cap hit with a $3 million salary.
"In order to give our team more salary cap flexibility for the upcoming season we needed to make this difficult decision," said Fletcher. "We thank Matt for his time with the Wild and wish him the best going forward."
If Cooke clears and the Wild buys him out, the Wild will pay him 2/3 his salary over two years $1 million per year. The Wild would save $2 million in cap space this year and $1 million in cap space next year.
Cooke was being shopped heading into draft week.
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Helped by that role reversal, Minnesota defeated defending NHL champ Florida and is testing the limits of history after playing 360 minutes this season without trailing.
