NHL Rumors: 3 Players Who Could Be Bought Out Next

The Vancouver Canucks started the NHL's buy out period with a bang as they cut ties with defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Canucks basically paid Ekman-Larsson $20 million to go away and now he's clear to sign with any team come July 1 when free agency kicks off. The NHL's buy out window runs until June 30, here's the next three players who may be getting bought out:

Matt Murray

Word is the Maple Leafs are working the phones trying to trade Murray ahead of the draft. So far, no takers. The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks remain two of the best possibilities for trade. If they aren't able to move Murray, look for the Leafs to buy out the two-time Stanley Cup champion and go with Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov next season.

Correct, if the #LeafsForever choose to buy out Matt Murray, #GoSensGo will lose a retained salary slot for 2 years https://t.co/R5AIsTfwot
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 17, 2023

Murray would cost the Maple Leafs $687,500 next season against the cap and another $2 million in 2024-25.

Mike Hoffman

The Montreal Canadiens are in the same boat with forward Mike Hoffman. He hasn't continued to score like the Habs were hoping for when the signed him to a long term contract. General manager Kent Hughes wasn't with the team when it happened and now has to clean up the mess. Hoffman would cost the Canadiens $1.6 million against the cap the next two seasons. In 2022-23, the 33-year-old winger recorded 14 goals and 34 points in 67 games.

Mikael Granlund

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Mikael Granlund last season thanks to Ron Hextall going against advice from his head coach, Mike Sullivan. Now it's Kyle Dubas' mess to clean up. Granlund didn't fit in with Pittsburgh and has two seasons left on his deal at $5 million per. He scored only once in 21 games down the stretch with the Pens. If Dubas can't find a trade suitor at the NHL Draft, or perhaps he doesn't want to sweeten the pot with a high draft pick, look for Granlund to be bought out. CapFriendly breaks it down for us here: