Cody Hodgson struggled throughout 2014-15. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres waive Cody Hodgson for buyout

BUFFALO – Cody Hodgson’s Sabres career is over.

The team put the struggling winger on unconditional waivers today, meaning the final four seasons of his six-year, $25.5 million contract will be bought out for one-third the remaining value.

The 25-year-old endured perhaps the worst year of any NHL forward in 2014-15, mustering only six goals and 13 points in 78 games, a stunning 14-goal, 31-point drop in six more appearances.

Hodgson scored one goal in a 47-game stretch from Oct. 28 to Feb. 22. He endured goal droughts of 27 and 19 games and also went 17 straight contests without a point.

It’s easy to forget now, but less than two years ago Hodgson was a player the Sabres began to build around.

He led the Sabres in scoring in 2013-14 and had 15 goals and 34 points in 48 games in 2012-13.

Hodgson’s another player from old Darcy Regier regime general manager Tim Murray has purged. Only six NHL players Regier acquired have a contract for next season.

On Friday, Murray traded center Mikhail Grigorenko and defenseman Nikita Zadorov – two Regier first-round picks – to Colorado in the Ryan O’Reilly deal. Murray bought out defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and forward Ville Leino a year ago.

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