Buyout Candidates – Nine Names To Watch

Ryan Malone, Tampa Bay Lightning

Jan 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Malone (12) juggles the puck during warm up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Malone shook the Lightning on the eve of the playoffs with an arrest for DUI as well as cocaine possession.  He didn’t suit up for the final couple of games nor the first round Montreal Canadiens sweep of the Tampa Bay Lighting. With just 1 year left and $2.5M in salary due, he might not be worth keeping around. It was his second straight sub-par year and that combined with the off-ice issues make him an ideal candidate to buyout.

As a caveat, I am not entirely sure about the implications of his involvement in the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse program and how it relates to a team’s ability to buy out a player.  I am assuming it is not a factor.

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $833,333 per year for 2 years.