The NHL buyout period opens later this month, and teams will have to make tough decisions on some of their overpaid former-stars. Rory Boylen of Sportsnet has been all over potential buyout candidates throughout the season, and has now released his list of the top eight names that could see a paycheck start coming to not play for their current teams.
Last year we saw Simon Despres, Matt Greene, Antti Niemi, Benoit Pouliot, Jussi Jokinen, Lance Bouma, Ryan Murphy, Jimmy Hayes, Mark Stuart, Mike Cammalleri, and Devante Smith-Pelly bought out in the first window, and a similar number of players could find themselves on unconditional waivers this time around.
We’ve already heard about Matt Moulson’s expected buy out from the Buffalo Sabres, but Boylen throws eight different names into the mix. Several of them were once key parts of their franchise, while others never turned into the player they were expected to become.
Who do you think is the most likely player to be bought out when the window opens on the later of 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final, or June 15th. Cast your vote below and make sure to leave an explanation in the comment section. For more information on how much each team would have to pay, check out Boylen’s excellent breakdown or head over to CapFriendly’s handy calculator.
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I think Chiarelli has too much pride but I think you have to consider possibility of a Lucic, Sekera or Russell buyout
Buying Lucic out wouldn’t make much sense at this time. Doing so now would mean Lucic counts towards the Oilers cap for the next 10 seasons and would breakdown as such
Year 1- $3,233,333
Year 2- $3,733,333
Year 3- $5,733,333
Year 4- $4,233,333
Year 5- $5,733,333
Year 6- $733,333
Year 7- $733,333
Year 8- $733,333
Year 9- $733,333
Year 10- $733,333
While the back half is more than tolerable, having between $3.2 to $5.7 million in dead space for the next 5 seasons would pretty much kill their plans of contention. If they’re thinking of going that route, they would be better served offering him around the league and retain 50% of his cap hit because they’d actually save cap space and they could get some sort of asset in return.
I see the point but to take on Lucic and that contract, considering how slow and useless he is, Edmonton at the very least would have to give up the 10th overall pick plus! And wouldn’t get anybody back. And would still have to retain like 25-50% of the money. It’s a pretty crappy all around situation.
they only way lucic or Russell is moved. Edmonton either offers something the other really wants or they take back a contract almost as bad .ie like phaneuf/gaborik trade.. reality Edmonton is goin g to have to give seattle something in couple years to take lucic contract.
buyout martin or spezza only one year left.