4 Realistic Buyout Candidates As Window Approaches

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi

The Stanley Cup presentation marks not only the end of the 2025-26 season, but it also triggers the countdown to the buyout window, a period of approximately two weeks when teams can look to eat bad contracts and free up a roster spot and some cap space. 48 hours after the Cup is presented, the window opens.

There are plenty of 'bad contracts' around the league, but Michael Amato of Sportsnet has listed four who are realistic buyout candidates:

Brendan Gallagher, Montreal Canadiens

We certainly know that Gallagher won't be back with the Habs next year. He said so himself at his exit interview.

Now, whether they're able to work out a trade to send him and his contract (one year remaining, $6.5 million AAV) elsewhere remains to be seen. If they can't, a buyout is likely. The Canadiens would open up $2.6 million in cap space for next season under this scenario. And from the player's perspective, as Amato notes, it's a win-win, as he'd be free to select his next destination.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes

The Finnish center has not had a brilliant run in Carolina the past five years, but it reached a low point in 2025-26. He lost his job as the fourth-line center, and was a healthy scratch on a number of occasions. He hasn't been in the lineup at all during the Hurricanes' playoff run this spring. Kotkaniemi finished the regular season with just two goals and nine points in 42 games. His 4 years remaining at a $4.82 million AAV has an extremely team-friendly buyout, and would save the Canes around $4 million in cap space in each of the next four years. It seems like a no-brainer.

Ondrej Palat, New York Islanders

The Isles took a chance by trading for Palat from the NJ Devils back in January, hoping he'd regain the offensive skills that once made him a consistent secondary scorer. It didn't pan out. Palat had just one goal in 29 games with New York, and it's hard to justify holding that one year remaining at a $6 million AAV. They could save $3.3 million against the cap next season with a buyout, and only be responsible for a $1.6 million cap hit the year after.

Jordan Greenway, Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo has some serious cap gymnastics to do this summer, trying to re-sign UFA Alex Tuch, as well as coming up with new deals for key RFAs Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs. They could save $2.67 million of Greenway's $4 million cap hit for next season with a buyout of his final year. The hulking winger managed just four goals total in the past two years, and even his hits delivered were down this season.

One other "honorable" mention here could be JT Compher, as he has two years to run at a tough $5M cap hit. The Detroit Red Wings could save $3.13M against the cap in each of the next two seasons by buying him out.