4 Buyout Candidates for 2023 Offseason

The NHL's 2023 buyout window is coming up in a few weeks and there's certainly going to be some action. With some underperforming veteran players among the league, general managers will be active showing some overpaid players the door. Last season there was seven players who were bought out. Here's four candidates to consider during the NHL's 2023 window, which begins either June 15 or 48 hours after the Stanley Cup is awarded:

1. Anthony Mantha, Washington Capitals:
    Age: 28
    Contract:
    1 more season, $5.7 million AAV
    Buyout Cost:
    2 seasons at $1.36 and $2.1 million
The Capitals tried numerous times to trade Mantha last season but unfortunately no takers. The mega-trade which brought Mantha to the Caps via the Detroit Red Wings has been a huge bust. Washington is looking to retool their top-six and cutting ties from Mantha this summer could be the kickstart. 

2. Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton Oilers
    Age: 24
    Contract:
    1 more season, $3.1 million AAV
    Buyout Cost:
    2 seasons at $433,334 and $533,334
It's worth it for the Oilers to cut ties from their former first-round pick as Yamamoto has been given every opportunity to succeed in Edmonton but hasn't provided consistent enough production. The team missed on Jesse Puljujarvi and it does appear they did so with Yamamoto as well. 10 goals and 25 points is not worth $3.1 million against the cap so look for general manager Ken Holland to take advantage of the buyout window and give his team some more money to work with come free agency.

3. Mikael Granlund, Pittsburgh Penguins
    Age: 31
    Contract:
    2 more seasons at $5 million AAV
    Buyout Cost:
    1 season $833,333, followed by 3 seasons at $1.8 million
It was a head-scratching trade that didn't make sense at the time and it still doesn't. Ron Hextall went against everyone's advice and acquired Granlund, who was not what the Pens needed down the stretch. If the Penguins new GM doesn't end up buying him out, look for Granlund to be moved once free agency begins.

4. Mike Reilly, Boston Bruins
    Age: 29
    Contract:
    1 more season, $3 million AAV
    Buyout Cost:
    2 seasons at $333,334 and $1.3 million
The Bruins buried Reilly in the minors last season, only dressing in 10 games with the big club. With Boston having cap overages for bonuses from the 2022-23 season, Boston needs to clean up their books and it starts by buying Reilly out to begin their offseason.

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