Predators to Buy Out Matt Duchene

The Nashville Predators have placed forward Matt Duchene on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout on Friday.

The Nashville Predators are parting ways with forward Matt Duchene.

Multiple NHL insiders reported the team placed Duchene on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a buyout on Friday, along with the Winnipeg Jets' Blake Wheeler, the Detroit Red Wings' Kailer Yamamoto and the Boston Bruins' Mike Reilly. After passing through waivers, they will become UFAs.

Once bought out, the Predators will pay the 32-year-old $9,333,333 over six seasons, compared to the original $8-million annual cap hit for the next three seasons had Duchene not been bought out. 

Based on the buyout structure, the Preds save about $5.4 million in 2023-24, about $2.4 million in 2024-25, and about $1.4 million in 2025-26. For each of the next three seasons afterward, when Duchene's contract would have been completed, the Predators will have to pay a $1,555,556 cap hit, according to PuckPedia.

Nashville is expected to have about $21.7 million in cap space once the buyout is completed. The team currently has 20 signed players on their active roster and will have cap flexibility this upcoming season as they look to refresh their lineup.

Duchene posted 22 goals and 56 points in 71 games in 2022-23. That came after a bounce-back year when Duchene netted 43 goals and 86 points in 78 games. He will very likely get tons of interest once free agency opens on July 1 at noon ET.

In 976 career games, the Haliburton, Ont., native has 316 goals and 428 assists for 744 points. The 2009 third overall pick has also played for the Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.