Darcy Tucker Available after Buyout

According to TSN, the Toronto Maple Leafs will buy out Darcy Tucker.

Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher alerted Tucker of Toronto's intention to buy him out on Tuesday afternoon.

"The decision is always difficult when you are dealing with a good person. We wish him well," Fletcher told TSN.

"It's a business, Darcy knows that," Tucker's agent Carlos Sosa told TSN. "Whether this decision by the Maple Leafs is good business or bad business, only time will tell."

"We've been prepared for everything and Darcy and his family are ready to move on," Sosa added.

Tucker has three years remaining on his contract and Toronto will be on the hook for two-thirds, or $6 million paid over a six-year term. Tucker signed a four-year contract extension with the club back in February of 2007.

Will the Jackets be interested?

Tucker, 33, notched 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points last year. He also finished a -18 with 100 PIMs. The previous two years he had 43 and 61 points respectively. He's played in 74, 56, and 74 games.

Sportsnet's take:

Assets

Always comes to play and forechecks well. Provides an energy boost for his team every shift and has a decent set of hands. Is absolutely fearless.

Flaws

Has suspect skating ability, which has prevented him from becoming an all-star at the NHL level. His agitating qualities can at times hurt his own team.

Career Potential

Third line winger.

Let me be the first to say that I love Darcy Tucker. I love the way he plays. I love his character. I love his competitiveness. He makes a team harder to play against.

Unfortunately, his game appears to be on the decline. He's suited best as a third line winger at this point in his career—a position with which the Leafs are overflowing.

I wouldn't completely rule him out though, especially if the Jackets strike out on a guy like Ryan Malone. Tucker is the kind of player that would fit like a glove under Hitch, but he isn't the play making center or top six winger we desperately need, so I don't see him as a priority.

Tucker will find a home, and pretty quickly I bet. Teams love to add players like him to their lineup.

If Columbus were interested I think he might be as well. Columbus isn't far from Toronto and depending on what the Jackets do in free agency he may see his situation here as similar to Peca's last year. This could be a chance for him to rejuvenate his career.

He was scheduled to make $3 million in each of the next three years. Depending on how desperate teams get, he may find an offer similar to that. I don't think the Jackets would pony up that kind of dough, however.

The Leafs are really making some moves.

First the Mayers trade, which now makes more sense with the Tucker buyout. Then the Sundin situation with Montreal granted rights to negotiate. Next, Wellwood and Raycroft were put on waivers.

With the salary they are moving out, the Leafs could be players once again on the free agent market.

Discuss: Is there any interest in Tucker out there?

-LTL