5 NHL contract buyout candidates

The raising of the Stanley Cup officially triggers the NHL's offseason, with all 30 teams expected to engage in some measure of roster management over the summer months.

The first circle on the summer calendar is Wednesday, June 15, with the first buyout window opening 48 hours after the Final and remaining so until June 30.

As a refresher, and according to General Fanager, "a buyout is paid over twice the number of years remaining on the player's contract, at a rate of one-third of the total salary remaining for players under 26, and at a rate of two-thirds of the total salary remaining for players 26 and older."

Here's a look at five players whose contract could be bought out over the next couple weeks.

Thomas Vanek, Minnesota Wild

Thomas Vanek wants to remain with the Minnesota Wild, but logic suggests he's a prime candidate to be bought out.

Owed $7.5 million in 2016-17, the 32-year-old recorded only 18 goals and 23 assists in 74 games this past season, his lowest output in years.

If Vanek is bought out by the club, a $6.5 million cap hit would shrink to $1.5 million next season, but the Wild would be on the hook for $2.5 million the following year.

With youth and depth at a premium in today's NHL, and with Vanek's best days seemingly behind him, the business side of the game suggests the Wild would be well served by using that money elsewhere.

Jared Cowen, Toronto Maple Leafs

Acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Ottawa Senators in the Dion Phaneuf trade, defenseman Jared Cowen has one year remaining on his contract with a 2016-17 salary of $4.5 million.

It was clear from the start that Cowen was not part of Toronto's plan, and, at age 25, the Maple Leafs would only be on the hook for $1.5 million over two years.

Small price to pay for a club flush with cash and in need of roster spots for younger players that fit in the Shanaplan and all the cap space available to reel in big fish in free agency.

As such, the ninth overall pick from the 2009 NHL Draft is likely headed for the open market, and the possibility of resurrecting his career on a team of his choosing, should multiple opportunities be presented.

R.J. Umberger, Philadelphia Flyers

This seems like a formality, as R.J. Umberger openly admitted he expects the Philadelphia Flyers to buy him out following an injury-riddled and unproductive season.

Slated to make $4.5 million in salary on the one year remaining on his deal, it'll cost the Flyers $3 million over two years to buy him out, but general manager Ron Hextall would have that same amount in available cap space next season to help improve a team that gave the Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington Capitals a decent fight in the opening round of the playoffs.

Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks

Awarded a four-year, $16-million contract after Chicago's 2013 Stanley Cup win, Bryan Bickell's contract has proven to be an anchor for the Blackhawks, and no other team has bit on the chance to snag him off the waiver wire.

Chicago remains a team with championship aspirations, and is always right up at the salary cap ceiling. Shedding Bickell's deal would open $3 million in available cap space for 2016-17, money that can be used on a cheaper and more productive player.

The market simply isn't there in terms of a trade, and Chicago will likely want to do everything possible to rebound from a disappointing first-round playoff loss.

Andrew Ference, Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are tracking younger and maybe, finally, better, meaning a player like Andrew Ference will likely be on the outside looking in only three years after being signed to a $13-million deal and being named captain.

He'd have to be fully recovered from the hip surgery he underwent back in January, but the buy out would free up $2,166,667 in available cap space for the upcoming season, money that could be spent improving the blue line or luring a big name free agent to the league's most northern destination.

Plus, with Ference off the books, it'll make it easier to anoint Connor McDavid as the new captain sooner rather than later.

Canucks World