It seemed like such a great idea at the time.
But in the end, the Chicago Blackhawks' choice to sign T.J. Brodie before last season didn't work out.
And now it's over.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that Brodie has been placed on waivers with the intent to buy him out.
Brodie was a standout defenseman for most of his career prior to Chicago. He scored 266 points in 10 seasons in Calgary, then another 82 in four seasons in Toronto. Along the way, he was a sturdy top-four choice every year at the defensive end.
But in Chicago, Brodie managed just two goals and eight assists in 54 games. He was a minus-18.
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The Blackhawks made Brodie a healthy scratch for the final 22 games of the season to start their youth movement in earnest.
At 35 years old, Brodie probably doesn't have a ton of years left. But you can never have enough experience in defense, so he'll surely land a new contract somewhere. And he's a guy with 58 goals and 300 assists in a lengthy NHL career.
The buyout "doesn't create any substantial cap savings," according to the Chicago Sun Times. Instead, it opens up a roster spot and separates from what turned out to be a bad partnership.
Now, Brodie will have to find his next hockey team, while the Blackhawks will look for different answers in defense.
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