The NHL's buyout process continued Thursday, and most notably the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning have already made a few decisions on players' contracts.
The Bruins have bought out defenseman Dennis Seidenberg, while the Kings will part ways with defenseman Matt Greene. The Lightning put defenseman Matt Carle on buyout waivers, too.
The Nashville Predators have also placed defenseman Barret Jackman on buyout waivers, while the Columbus Blue Jackets did the same with winger Jared Boll. The Edmonton Oilers bought out forward Lauri Korpikoski. Once placed on buyout waivers, players become unrestricted free agents on Friday. The moves also free up cap space for these teams.
According to CapFriendly.com, the Bruins will free up $2.83 million in 2016-17 and $1.83 million in 2017-18 on Seidenberg, who helped Boston win a Stanley Cup in 2011. The 34-year-old blueliner was due $7 million until the end of the 2018 season, and he will be paid two-thirds of his remaining salary over the next four seasons.
The Predators will save $1.3 million on Jackman, who has a cap hit of $667,000 the next two seasons. The Kings free up $1.67 million for 2016-17 on Greene, who has a cap hit of $833,000 for the next four seasons. Boll's buyout will save the Blue Jackets $1.13 million in 2016-17.
For the Lightning, Carle's buyout will save Tampa Bay $3.67 million in 2016-17. Carle struggled last season and was in and out of the lineup during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Korpikoski's buyout in Edmonton will save the Oilers $2 million for next season.
The Carolina Hurricanes bought out the final year of veteran defenseman James Wisniewski's contract. The 32-year-old Wisniewski was to make $3 million next season but will receive $2 million over the next two years and will become an unrestricted free agent Friday when the NHL's free-agency period starts.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
