NHL Buyout Period Begins Wednesday: 19 Candidates

NHL Buyout Period Begins on Wednesday, June 15th at 5:00PM EST, Runs Until June 30th

NHL buyout period begins on Wednesday, June 15th at 5:00PM (EST). All 30 teams have an opportunity to shed contracts until June 30th at the same time.

In such a salary cap driven world, it’s a chance for organizations to make room for the future, and have extra money to spend in free agency on July 1st.

A wrench could be thrown in the mix this year. Looming potential expansion in the summer of 2017 will make teams think twice about buyouts.

Instead of being on the hook for an unwanted contract, these buyout candidates would likely fit the criteria for those special circumstantial players that need to be exposed with a certain amount of games played. You can bet 30 owners in the NHL would prefer an expansion club to take a bad contract off their hands.

Current Active Buyouts:

Arizona > Mike Ribeiro – Expires 2020
Buffalo > Cody Hodgson – Expires 2023
Carolina > Alexander Semin – Expires 2021
Detroit > Stephen Weiss – Expires 2021
Florida > Brad Boyes – Expires 2017
Los Angeles > Mike Richards – Re-Capture/Settlement Expires 2032
Minnesota > Matt Cooke – Expires 2017
Montreal > P.A. Parenteau – Expires 2017
Nashville > Viktor Stalberg – Expires 2019, Rich Clune – Expires 2017
San Jose > Adam Burish – Expires 2017
Toronto > Tim Gleason – Expires 2018

NHL Buyout Period FAQ/Need to Know Information

– Players still recovering from injury incurred in 2015-16 are ineligible to be bought out (names that potentially fall under this category include Andrew Ference, Ryane Clowe, Brad Stuart, and Dave Bolland)
– Those who are bought out will be paid over twice (x2) the period remaining on their current deal (i.e. 1yr left = 2yrs paid out).
– Teams are on the hook for one-third (1/3) of a players contract who is under 26-years-old. Two-thirds (2/3) will be paid out for those over 26.
– A player cannot re-sign with the team that bought him out.

NHL Buyout Period: 19 Candidates

Dennis Wideman, Calgary Flames (one-year, $5.25 million dollars)

With one year remaining on his deal, a Wideman buyout would only carry a $1.25 million dollar cap hit in 2016-17 and $2 million dollars in 2017-18.

It would give the Flames $2 million dollars in total savings.

Who knows if this recent lawsuit against the NHLPA at all affects his status.

Mason Raymond, Calgary Flames (one-year, $3.15 million dollars)

They could bury his contract again, or absorb the $1.05 million dollar cap hit over the next two seasons. The money saved from a potential Raymond buyout could be put to good use with the strength of the 2016 free agent class.

Ron Hainsey, Carolina Hurricanes (one-year, $2.88 million dollars)

The Canes could conceivably trade Hainsey since there’s still value there. It feels as though a healthy James Wisniewski makes at least one Carolina defender expendable – logic would dictate the veteran opposed to emerging young players. If no takers, Hainsey would only cost $1.166 million dollars against the cap in 2016-17, and $833,333 a year later.

Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks (one-year, $4 million dollars)

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No one claimed his $4 million dollar cap hit on waivers, and it’s unlikely they find a trade partner even if they retain the full 50 percent.

Burying his contract once again will not work with Brent Seabrook and Artem Anisimov having new deals that kick in next Fall.

A buyout is expected, which carries a $1 million dollar cap hit in 2016-17, and $1.5 million dollars in 2017-18.

That extra money can be used towards RFA Andrew Shaw.

Jared Boll, Columbus Blue Jackets (one-year, $1.7 million dollars)

He’s only on the books for one more year at a $1.7 million dollar cap hit, but Boll’s style of play is virtually extinct. It’s a depth driven league; teams don’t need a fourth line bruiser. If CLB were to buyout his contract, it would only carry a $566,666 dollar cap hit over the next two seasons.

Gregory Campbell, Columbus Blue Jackets (one-year, $1.5 million dollars)

Preference would be to find a trade partner. Should that fail, it might be time to buyout the 32-year-old veteran. After a Calder Cup victory, several young players will be vying for those bottom six spots. Campbell would carry a $633,333 cap hit in 2016-17, and $433,333 in 2017-18.

Fedor Tyutin, Columbus Blue Jackets (two-years, $4.5 million dollars)

Jarmo will likely seek a trade partner, although he would likely need to retain close to maximum salary to make this happen.

If they want to buyout Tyutin, he would count $1.208 million dollars against the cap in 2016-17, $1.958 million in 2017-18, $1.458 million dollars in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Curtis McElhinney, Columbus Blue Jackets (one-year, $800,000 dollars)

This would be a cheap buyout to make room for Anton Forsberg and Joonas Korpisalo. McElhinney has one year remaining at $800,000 dollars; a buyout would carry a $266,666 cap hit over the next two seasons. Then again, he could serve as backup for Lake Erie until his deal expires.

Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings (four-years, $3.95 million dollars)

Detroit might be able to bury his contract on the long-term IR given his injury history.

Regardless, four years remaining at $3.95 million dollars is a hefty contract to have on the books. A buyout until 2024 might make sense given the cost and savings over that period.

Johan Franzan buyout via GeneralFanager

Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings (three-years, $5.292 million dollars)

If the Red Wings are unable to find any takers for Howard’s lucrative contract, a buyout is possible. His cap hit would be $1.43 million in 2016-17, $1.93 million in 2017-18, $2.68 million in 2018-19, and $1.64 million dollars over the final three years until 2022.

Mark Fayne, Edmonton Oilers (two-years, $3.625 million dollars)

No guarantees the Oilers find a trade partner for Fayne’s $3.625 million dollar cap hit. The buyout would still be affordable. His cap hit would be $1.292 million in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and $1.166 million dollars over 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Jakub Kindl, Florida Panthers (one-year, $2.04 million dollars)

Kindl was a deadline pickup for the Panthers who never seemed to fit in. Unless they feel the need to keep him for depth, this should be a no-brainer.

His buyout cap hit would be $400,000 in 2016-17 and $1 million dollars in 2017-18. Not a ton of savings, but necessary roster space and cap room would be freed up.

Nikolay Kulemin, New York Islanders (two-years, $4.19 million dollars)

Garth Snow may wait another season until Kulemin has one-year remaining on his deal to further explore this scenario if he thinks he can reinvigorate the Russian forward. Coming off a down year, the Islanders must at least ponder the idea with a cap friendly buyout.

Nikolay Kulemin buyout via GeneralFanager

R.J. Umberger, Philadelphia Flyers (one-year, $4.6 million dollars)

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It sounds as though Umberger is working hard to train this offseason in order to re-establish himself after a terrible injury riddled season.

The 34-year-old winger has single season career highs of 26 goals and 57 points, although his best years are likely behind him.

Still, Ron Hextall might be willing to keep him around with only one year remaining. If not, Umberger would carry a $1.6 million dollar cap hit in 2016-17 and $1.5 million dollars in 2017-18. Those savings could be used to sign a quality top-six forward in free agency.

Andrew MacDonald, Philadelphia Flyers (four-years, $5 million dollars)

After burying his contract in the minors for much of the season (they were still on the hook for $4 of his $5 million dollars if memory serves correct). With four years remaining, the Flyers would be on the hook for eight years; still it’s an option to consider. His biggest cap hit would come in 2016-17 at $2.02 million, ranging as low as $1.02 million in 2019-20, and eventually rounding out to $1.77 million dollars over the final four years (until 2024).

Andrew MacDonald buyout via GeneralFanager

Joffrey Lupul, Toronto Maple Leafs (two-years, $5.25 million dollars)

Some have speculated that Joffrey Lupul could find himself on “Robidas Island” as Leafs nation calls it. It might work for a guy like Nathan Horton who isn’t expected to play ever again, or a 39-year-old Stephane Robidas, but a 32-year-old Lupul might not be so accepting.

It’s an unfortunate situation, if he could stay healthy, he’s a great player. Instead Lou and company will need to explore a buyout scenario.

In this case, Lupul would carry a $1.5 million dollar cap hit in year one, three, and four, and a $3 million dollar cap hit in year two.

Lupul buyout via GeneralFanager

Jared Cowen, Toronto Maple Leafs (one-year, $3.1 million dollars)

We’ll keep this one short and sweet considering Leafs management already declared publicly their intentions to buyout Cowen’s contract. Luckily for Toronto, they receive a cap credit in this scenario. For an explanation of his $650,000 cap credit, you can find it here.

Alex Burrows, Vancouver Canucks (one-year, $4.5 million dollars)

Rumors during 2015-16 suggested GM Jim Benning was looking to move out veteran contracts.

Burrows has one more year remaining with a $4.5 million dollar cap hit.

His buyout cap hit would be $2.5 million in 2016-17 and $1 million dollars in 2017-18.

Realistically, Vancouver saves $1 million dollars in the end.

Chris Higgins, Vancouver Canucks (one-year, $2.5 million dollars)

Call this one very likely as Higgins carries a $2.5 million dollar cap hit. The 33-year-old vet found himself sent to AHL Utica this past season and it seems his tenure with the Canucks may be over. Higgins buyout cap hit would be $833,333 dollars in both 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Next: NHL Mock Draft 6.5: 7 Rounds of Prospect Analysis

Players Who Should Be Bought Out, But Won’t: Mike Smith (Arizona), Matt Moulson (Buffalo), Brian Gionta (Buffalo), Matt Stajan (Calgary), David Clarkson (Columbus), Kari Lehtonen (Dallas), Dustin Brown (Los Angeles), Thomas Vanek (Minnesota), Alexei Emelin (Montreal), Eric Nystrom (Nashville), Dan Girardi (NY Rangers), Nick Schultz (Philadelphia)

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