Top 10 NHL Buyout Candidates

Keith Ballard, Vancouver Canucks

Apr 10, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Keith Ballard (4) skates with the puck during the first period against the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Canucks are in serious salary cap trouble, and moving Roberto Luongo‘s salary won’t be enough to get them out of it.  Ballard has two years left with a cap hit of $4.2M per season.  A payment of just over $5.5M relieves them of that cap obligation.

Ballard has been a part-time player for the last couple of years, and hasn’t even come close to living up to his contract.