Nigel Dawes put on waivers by Calgary Flames

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Nigel Dawes had a career year with the Calgary Flames last season.

He might be looking to build on it with another team starting Thursday.

Flames GM Darryl Sutter put the 25-year-old winger on waivers Wednesday and, with an affordable salary and encouraging statistics, Dawes is a strong candidate to be claimed.

Makes you wonder what Sutter might have up his sleeve, and just how costly any moves he's planning this summer might be if he is looking to shed a contract worth less than $1-million.

The native of Winnipeg scored 14 goals and earned 32 points in 66 games but sat both for injury reasons and as a healthy scratch at times.

He is slated to make US$850,000 this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

A buyout -- which is an option Thursday should he clear waivers -- would save the Flames about $700,000 under the salary cap this year, and give them a credit of just under $150,000 the following season.