The Marc Denis nightmare is coming to a close. The team on Tuesday put the goaltender on waivers for the purpose of buying out the remaining year of his contract. It is highly doubtful anyone will claim Denis by noon Wednesday, so figure the buyout will happen almost immediately thereafter.

Denis, 30, has a year left on his contract that pays $3-million. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Lightning will be responsible for two-thirds his salary ($2-million), spread over double the remaining years of the contract. That means Tampa Bay will have $1-million on the books next season and in 2009-10. That is a significant difference for this season and frees up some money for an expected push during free agency. Denis will become an unrestricted free agent.

Denis was one of the team's most colossal failures. He was acquired in June 2006 for Fredrik Modin and goalie Fredrik Norrena to lead the team back to being a contender. But Denis never found his footing for Tampa Bay and last season was demoted to AHL Norfolk.