Butcher signed a one-year contract with KHL club Barys Astana on Thursday, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher hasn't played in an NHL game since the 2021-22 campaign when he was with the Sabres. Selected by the Avalanche in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft, the 29-year-old defenseman's move overseas likely marks the end of his NHL career. If that's the case, he'll eventually hang up his skates having logged 275 games in which he tallied 16 goals and 98 helpers.

Butcher was acquired by the Wild from the Penguins in exchange for Maxim Cajkovic on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher has three goals and seven points in 14 contests with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season. He's also recorded 16 goals and 114 points in 275 career NHL games, but he hasn't played at the top level since the 2021-22 campaign. Butcher is expected to report to AHL Iowa.

Butcher (undisclosed) was placed on waivers Tuesday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher appears to be ready for game action after starting the season on the injured non-roster list. If he goes unclaimed, he will probably report to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The 28-year-old blueliner produced six goals and 43 points in 65 minor-league contests with Texas last season.

Butcher (undisclosed) was on the ice for Tuesday's optional skate, Penguins radio play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher is not expected back in the short-term and his skating is considered just a first step in the recovery process. Even once cleared to play, the 28-year-old blueliner is far from a lock for the lineup and could find himself shifted down to the minors at some point.

Butcher signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Penguins on Monday, per PuckPedia.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher spent all of last season with AHL Texas, recording six goals and 43 points through 65 appearances. He has 275 games of NHL experience with Buffalo and New Jersey. The 28-year-old blueliner will fill a depth role with the Penguins but could see some NHL time throughout the year.

Butcher was waived by Dallas on Sunday, CapFriendly reports.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher has never played an AHL game but he could begin the 2022-23 campaign there. The 27-year-old has 275 games of NHL experience, making him an interesting option for a team in need of a depth blueliner.

Butcher signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Stars on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher drew into 37 games with the Sabres last season, picking up eight points while posting a minus-10 rating over that span. The 27-year-old blueliner will likely bounce between the AHL and the NHL in 2022-23, so don't expect him to be a useful fantasy option.

Butcher logged an assist in Monday's 6-5 win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher has played in three of the Sabres' five games since he returned from a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old has a goal and an assist in that span, a rare stretch of scoring production from the struggling blueliner. He's at seven points, 34 shots on net, 30 blocked shots and a minus-10 rating in 34 contests, though his place in the lineup is far from secure. Butcher could slip back into a healthy scratch role once Colin Miller clears the COVID-19 protocols.

Butcher (lower body) was activated from injured reserve and will play Sunday against Vancouver, Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Miller will dress for the first time since Jan. 29 after missing the last 19 games with a lower-body issue. The 27-year-old has tallied five points with a minus-10 rating through 31 games this season. He'll skate in a bottom-pair role Sunday.

Butcher (lower body) was labeled a day-to-day decision Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Butcher will be eligible to return whenever deemed healthy as his minimum timetable of absence due to his placement on injured reserve has already elapsed. The 27-year-old has averaged 16:49 of ice time and logged five points over 31 games this season.