Pittsburgh Penguins Rumors: Forward Becoming Buyout Candidate

According to Frank Seravalli, there is speculation that Mikael Granlund of the Pittsburgh Penguins could be a potential buyout candidate this summer.

The buyout period begins on June 15 or 48 hours after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, running until June 30.

Mikael Granlund takes Kulikov's lovely outlet and snipes home a beauty for his first goal as a Penguin!#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/7A26VE91To

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) March 11, 2023

Granlund's inclusion on this list suggests that the Penguins might consider parting ways with the winger through a buyout. It's worth noting that teams often explore trade options before resorting to buyouts, but if the Penguins are unable to find a suitable trade partner, a buyout could be a possibility.

The buyout process for players aged 26 and above involves paying two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining term.

Granlund's contract for the 2023-24 season currently carries a cap hit of $6 million, and $5 million for the season after.

Buying out Mikael Granlund would make it an even better opportunity. https://t.co/4HhqHrZuWx

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) June 1, 2023

The 31-year-old really struggled after being traded midway through the season by the Nashville Predators, recording just one goal and five points over 21 games, compared to the 36 points he put up in 58 games with Nashville.

Of course, the Penguins could also choose to retain some salary in a potential trade, making it more financially viable than a buyout.

That being said, the former first-round pick isn't quite the same player he once was, so it's tough to say how much trade interest there would be for him.

It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds, but if the Penguins are unable to find a suitable trade or retain salary, a buyout could become a realistic option for Mikael Granlund. Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports