Buyout Candidates – Nine Names To Watch

Dec 11, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) before facing off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Maple Leafs 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Once the final window for amnesty buyouts opens following the conclusion of the playoffs, there are going to be a number of big decisions to be made.  This summer marks the third and final opportunity to rid a roster of bad contracts without further future Salary Cap implications.

In the first two windows, 15 players were bought out either before the shortened 2013 season or after it and before free agency opened last summer.  Eleven teams took advantage of the opportunity, with 4 teams using up both of their permitted compliance buyouts.

So, with this final window about to open, what players will unexpectedly be looking for new deals while still getting paid by their old teams?

Here is my list of potential buyout candidates.  Not all will be bought out, but all will be discussed and decisions (some of them extremely difficult) will have to be made. [NOTE:  After publishing, it was brought to my attention that contracts signed after the lockout ended are not applicable for amnesty buyouts so a couple of these players will not be eligible under the amnesty clause]

Ville Leino, Buffalo Sabres

Apr 3, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Ville Leino (23) controls the puck as St. Louis Blues left wing Jaden Schwartz (9) pressures during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Sabres 2-1 and set a franchise record for wins in a season with 52. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Rumored to be on the list last season, he somehow escaped the buyout window.  However, after another incredibly disappointing season where he went scoreless in 58 games, recording just 16 assists, his name would have to be near the front of the line this summer.  As dreadful as the Sabres were, they can ill afford to have Leino soaking up $4.5M in cap space for the next 3 seasons.

Tyler Myers might also be a candidate for a buyout, but the Sabres used one of their 2 allotted buyouts on Nathan Gerbe last season, and Myers is still young enough and talented enough to turn his play of late around.

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $1,222,222 per season for 6 years.

Stephen Weiss, Detroit Red Wings

Dec 4, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Stephen Weiss (90) during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

From the start this was a contract that the didn’t make  much sense as Weiss wasn’t a “Detroit” stye player.  The Wings inked the enigmatic center to a 5 year, $24.5M contract the day free agency opened, and it has been a nightmare ever since.  He recorded just 2 goals and 2 assists in 26 games.

Ken Holland doesn’t make many mistakes as the GM of the Red Wings, but tying up that much money in that player was certainly one of them, and I don’t think too many people are surprised by that.   The issue around the buyout is whether or not Weiss is cleared health-wise, as he made only 26 appearances due to injuries and didn’t play after December 1oth.  Teams cannot buy out injured players.

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $1,583,333 per year for 8 years plus $1.5M total in signing bonuses

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.

Sergei Gonchar, Dallas Stars

Mar 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Sergei Gonchar (55) carries the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars signed the 39 (now 40) year old Gonchar with the expectation that he would mentor Alex Goligoski along like he had done in their tenure in Pittsburgh.  It didn’t exactly go as planned as the veteran finished with just 22 points in 76 games and had a -12 rating on a playoff team.

His contract was for 2  years and $10M, and I don’t think the Stars will get close to that value.

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $1,667, 667 per year over 2 years.

Rene Bourque, Montreal Canadiens

Apr 20, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens left wing Rene Bourque (17) celebrates after scoring a goal against Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Anders Lindback (not pictured) during the first period in the game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

The playoff outburst aside, Rene Bourque‘s tenure in Montreal has been filled with frustration and inconsistency.  Without the recent 4 goal in 4 game outburst in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs, I would have been more sure about him receiving a buyout.  With just 9 goals on the season and a healthy scratch at times, his $3.33 cap hit isn’t giving the Habs value for the money.  They have cap space, but also a number of players in need of a contract (P.K. Subban most notably) so they could shed some of that cap hit by buying Bourque out.

BUYOUT DETAILS: $833,333 per year for 4 years.

Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver Canucks

Mar 19, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows (14) skates against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Often times these decisions come down to one factor – can a player rebound – and that will be the case with Burrows.  With 3 years and almost $15M left on his contract, one of the first decisions for Trevor Linden and whoever the GM in Vancouver turns out to be will be if the setback Burrows suffered was due to his play or John Tortorella’s system.  Whatever they decide, a 30 point pace simply isn’t enough. However, would the Canucks want to pay Tortorella not to coach and Burrows not to play for the next 4 years?

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $1,111,111 per year for the next 6 years plus $2M in signing bonuses.

Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings

Apr 10, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Jeff Petry (2) and Los Angeles Kings forward Mike Richards (10) battle for position in front of Edmonton Oilers goaltender Victor Fasth (35) during the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

This is a difficult (and surprising) one to put on this list, but it is something the Kings have to consider.  Richards’ salary starts declining after next season, but the cap hit stays at $5.75M for the next 6 seasons.

The Kings have only 8 players signed beyond next season, and with Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Jonathan Quick and Drew Doughty among those on big money and/or long term deals, Richards might be the one that has to give.

Richards is a heart and soul player that could be trade-able even with that contract, because someone will see the value of his quality of play.  But for the Kings it might be a matter of simply not enough production from a player who plays a big-man game with a medium man body and the wear and tear might be taking its toll.

I would have him on my team in a heartbeat, but that money is a little much for declining offensive numbers.

The Kings will be comfortable next season under the cap, but following that, they could begin to feel a pinch. They could play it out next year and then just take the cap consequences afterward, when there is less money owed and therefore less money for nothing after his $7M salary next season.

BUYOUT DETAILS:  $1,611,111 per year for 12 years.