NHL Rumors: 3 Players Who Could Be Bought Out This Offseason

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs near their climax, much of the league is already focused on offseason maneuvering — and buyouts are at the forefront. 

According to Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report, three notable players are surfacing as top buyout candidates: Seattle Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Holl, and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Sheary.

Grubauer's Underperformance May Seal His Fate

Once seen as a cornerstone for the expansion Seattle Kraken, Philipp Grubauer’s time in the Pacific Northwest appears to be nearing an end. With a career-worst stretch and a save percentage that hasn't cracked .900 during his Seattle tenure, Grubauer has lost the starting job to Joey Daccord. Yerdon notes that a buyout of Grubauer’s contract — which carries a $5.9 million AAV through 2026-27 — would save Seattle nearly $4 million in the first year and nearly $3 million in the second, before spreading a $1.68 million hit over two additional seasons. Seattle needs cap space and reliability in goal, and Grubauer isn’t providing either.

Justin Holl's Struggles Make Him a Clear Target

Justin Holl’s signing by the Red Wings raised eyebrows from the outset, and two years in, critics like P.K. Subban haven’t held back. “He was soft in Toronto, soft still,” Subban said on ESPN. Holl was scratched multiple times this past season, and while he appeared in 73 games, his poor defensive metrics and cap hit of $3.4 million have made him expendable. Multiple sources project Holl as a buyout candidate, with Detroit saving $2.2 million against the cap in 2025-26 — a move that could help GM Steve Yzerman retool a blue line that’s failed to push the team into the playoffs.

Sheary a Simple Cap Casualty in Tampa

While not a major contract, Conor Sheary’s $2 million cap hit could still be trimmed as the Tampa Bay Lightning look to stay under the salary ceiling. Sheary played just five NHL games this season, spending the bulk of his time in the AHL. As Yerdon points out, a buyout would net the Lightning $1 million in immediate cap savings. For a team that’s perpetually tight to the cap, those savings can be meaningful as GM Julien BriseBois looks to maintain depth while managing contracts for star players.

With the buyout window opening 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded, these three names could soon hit the market — offering cap relief for their teams and potential bounce-back opportunities elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images