I don't get it from Ottawa's prespective.
Getting rid of him with 50% of retention costs them 7.5M and 2 years of 3.125M cap hit vs 10M and cap hits of 1.75, 0.75, 2.5 and 2.5 with a buyout.
I don't think the retention scenario more favourable enough than the buyout to give up much of an asset. I'd just buy him out if I was Ottawa.
Getting rid of him with 50% of retention costs them 7.5M and 2 years of 3.125M cap hit vs 10M and cap hits of 1.75, 0.75, 2.5 and 2.5 with a buyout.
I don't think the retention scenario more favourable enough than the buyout to give up much of an asset. I'd just buy him out if I was Ottawa.