NHL Buyout Watch 2024: Top 5 Buyout Candidates
Zack Cook
Host · Writer
Nate Schmidt - Winnipeg Jets
It's not as though Nate Schmidt no longer has value as a defenseman, more so that he isn't capable of being worth what his currently salary is. Schmidt can put up solid numbers on an NHL blueline as a bottom-pairing defenseman, but that doesn't make him worth over $5 million per season. Winnipeg has a busy offseason ahead, and buying out Schmidt would give them more room to play with.Â
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Jacob Trouba - New York Rangers
Now this one will certainly raise some eyebrows to kick off the list. New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba has been floating around NHL circles as a potential buyout candidate. We'll believe it when we see it, but there's no doubt he didn't live up to his big contract during their postseason run, and his play has deteriorated of late. Time will tell if the Rangers make this gutsy call, but Trouba is certainly a big name to begin the conversation.Â
Cal Petersen - Philadelphia Flyers
With some of the contracts given out to goaltenders in recent memory, you can make a case they could populate the majority of this list. After being part of a trade with the Los Angeles Kings, Cal Petersen simply hasn't worked out as an option for the Philadelphia Flyers. It's been consistently reported that the Flyers are trying to move off his deal, and if they can't, a buyout is a real possibility.Â
Jack Campbell - Edmonton Oilers
There were immediate questions about the length and dollar value of the contract that Jack Campbell signed with the Edmonton Oilers in free agency. To call it a disaster at this point would be an understatement. The Oilers brass worked tirelessly to try and unload his contract at the trade deadline, meaning it won't be a surprise to see him bought out this offseason if the Oilers don't want to sweeten the pot for another team.Â
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Cam Atkinson - Philadelphia Flyers
Injuries have played a real part in the drop off that we saw from Cam Atkinson last season. It's no secret that the Philadelphia Flyers are trying to offload him with their cap issues this offseason. Atkinson can still provide value in a leadership role in the NHL, but for a team that desperately needs the space, Atkinson has earned his spot on this list.Â
Nate Schmidt - Winnipeg Jets
It's not as though Nate Schmidt no longer has value as a defenseman, more so that he isn't capable of being worth what his currently salary is. Schmidt can put up solid numbers on an NHL blueline as a bottom-pairing defenseman, but that doesn't make him worth over $5 million per season. Winnipeg has a busy offseason ahead, and buying out Schmidt would give them more room to play with.Â
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Jacob Trouba - New York Rangers
Now this one will certainly raise some eyebrows to kick off the list. New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba has been floating around NHL circles as a potential buyout candidate. We'll believe it when we see it, but there's no doubt he didn't live up to his big contract during their postseason run, and his play has deteriorated of late. Time will tell if the Rangers make this gutsy call, but Trouba is certainly a big name to begin the conversation.Â
