NHL contract buyout candidates are the subject of media speculation as the Stanley Cup final nears a conclusion. Some long-shot possibilities are also being discussed.

The first NHL buyout window of this off-season opens 48 hours after the completion of the Stanley Cup final and closes at 5 p.m. ET on June 30.

NHL teams looking to free up some cap space can buy out the contracts of players no longer meeting expectations or those who don't fit into a long-term roster plan.

For players 26 and older, the buyout is two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining term. For those under 26, it's one-third of the remaining value over twice the term.

The Hockey News' Jacob Stoller listed five possible buyout candidates. They include Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell, St. Louis Blues center Kevin Hayes and defenseman Torey Krug, Winnipeg Jets blueliner Nate Schmidt and Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Johansen. 

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli included Philadelphia winger Cam Atkinson and goalie Cal Petersen on his list. Earlier this month, Flyers GM Daniel Briere said he is considering all his options with both players.

The Athletic's Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal had New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba on their list of 12 possible buyout candidates. The 30-year-old Blueshirts captain is signed through 2025-26 with an $8-million cap hit with a no-movement clause that reverts to a modified no-trade on July 1.

Drance and Dayal make the case that Trouba no longer looks like a top-four defenseman, pointing to his struggles during the 2024 playoffs. They admit a buyout is a long shot but could be a palatable option if a trade isn't possible, freeing up $4 million in cap space per season over the next two years.

A Trouba buyout or trade seems remote after forward Barclay Goodrow was claimed off waivers by the San Jose Sharks, freeing up over $3.64 million annually over the next three years from the Rangers payroll.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman hasn't published a buyout candidate list. However, he said he'd heard some rumblings that the Buffalo Sabres could go that route with winger Jeff Skinner.

The 32-year-old Skinner has three years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $9 million. His production slipped last season to 46 points in 74 games.

Buying out Skinner would count as $1.44 million in 2024-25 against the Sabres' cap. However, it jumps to $4.44 million in 2025-26 and $6.44 million in 2026-27 before dropping to $2.44 million annually for the remaining three seasons of the buyout.

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