I understand its for cheap but that money could have gone to help sign someone else, like Helm, Abdelkader, or a gritty defenseman. Plus he takes p another roster spot.

that he was signed for this cheap of a rate to make it easier to trade him once training camp opens. It’s probably easier to move a minimum salary player rather than one making much more. Might not get much for him, but it would be one less body to worry about.