NHL teams will be looking to free up salary cap space this summer. The NHL salary cap is only going up $1 million for next season which gives teams $82.5 million to spend.
The Vegas Golden Knights already made a big trade by taking on Shea Weber’s LTIR contract to help become cap compliant next season.
NHL trade rumors are expected to pickup over the next few weeks as teams prepare for free agent frenzy in July.
The NHL’s buyout window opens on July 1, 2022 and some teams will be looking to free up cap space. Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff has released his top 10 potential buyout candidates. Below are some featured NHL buyout candidates for 2022.
Top 5 NHL Buyout Candidates 2022
- Â Zack Kassian, 31, Right Wing, Edmonton Oilers. Contract is for two more seasons at a $3.2 million AAV. The buyout would clear $2.5 million off the books for the Oilers for next season.
Buyout Cap Charges are:
$667k (2023-23)
$1.87 mil. (2023-24)
$967k (2024-25)
$967k (2025-26). - Matt Murray, 28, Goalie, Ottawa Senators. Contract is for two more seasons at a $6.25 million AAV. The Senators would save $5 million is cash over the next two season.
Buyout Cap Charges are:
$1.75 mil (2022-23)
$750k (2023-24)
$2.5 mil (2024-25)
$2.5 mil (2025-26) - Marc-Edouard Vlasic, 35, Left Defense, San Jose Sharks. Contract is for four more seasons with a $7 million AAV.
Buyout Cap Charges are:
$3.7 mil (2022-23)
$1.4 mil ($2023-24)
$4.2 mil (2024-25)
$5.2 mil (2025-26)
$1.7 mil (2026-27)
$1.7 mil (2027-28)
$1.7 mil (2028-29)
$1.7 mil (2029-30) - Marco Scandella, 32, Left Defense, St. Louis Blues. Contract is for two more seasons with a $3.275 million AAV. Buying out Scandella this summer would the Blues another $2.7 million in salary cap space for next season.
Buyout Cap Charges are:
$567k (2022-23)
$1.4 mil (2023-24)
$1.1 mil (2024-25)
$1.1 mil (2025-26) - Tyler Johnson, 31, Right Wing, Chicago Blackhawks. Contract is for two more seasons at a $5 million AAV. A buyout will pocket nearly $3 million in real cash savings for the Blackhawks over the next four seasons.
Buyout Cap Charges are:
$2.7 mil (2022-23)
$1.7 mil (2023-24)
$1.4 mil (2024-25)
$1.4 mil (2025-26)
