One thing that is really frustrating with this team is the entire team stops and complains when a foul doesn't go there way leading to a ton of easy baskets for the opposing team.
Sure it "matters" but of all the teams in the NHL salary matters the least for Buffalo. Kane will be a UFA by the time most of Buffalo's young players finish their entry level deals. Buffalo is paying guys like Moulson and Gionta just to get above the floor and front loaded their deals to be better trade assets down the line.
If Kane was making 7 million for the next 3 years Buffalo would still do this deal because for them its about acquiring the talent.
Cap hit doesn't really mean much for Buffalo right now. Since they are under the cap Kane making 3 million instead of 5 doesn't really mean much for them. They get one of the more talented players who is only 23 and still has potential to be better.
Well they kind of had to trade him with the hole they dug themselves into with the player. It was obvious he was going to have to be traded. As for Kane I think he's a top 6 Fwd on any team in the league and right now would be Buffalo's best forward but that isn't saying much.
People have to remember Kane is only 23 and he scored 30 goals as a 20 year old which is incredibly difficult to do. He's been injured a lot but he is one of the more talented forwards in the NHL.