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Some possible compliance buyout free agents to target

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers defend against Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 03: Henrik Lundqvist #30 and Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers defend against Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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2017 – Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers gets into an altercation with Nick Holden #55 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
2017 – Milan Lucic #27 of the Edmonton Oilers gets into an altercation with Nick Holden #55 of the New York Rangers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

There has been a lot of speculation that the NHL will adopt compliance buyouts to help teams cope with the loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Are there any  possible buyout candidates the New York Rangers should target?

There has been speculation about how the New York Rangers would use compliance buyouts if they are made available.  The easy choice would be Henrik Lundqvist, freeing up $8.5 million in cap space.  The idea of buying out one of the greatest ever don the Rangers uniform would be harsh, but could be chalked up to the realities of business.  If there are two compliance buyouts, add Marc Staal or Brendan Smith to the list.

Compliance buyouts are also known as amnesty buyouts and have been used once before. After the 2012-13 lockout, teams were allowed to buy out two players, paying them two-thirds of the remaining value of their contract over twice the remaining length of the contract.  Amnesty buyout costs don’t count against the salary cap. The Rangers used theirs on Wade Redden and Brad Richards.

Every team has their own compliance buyout candidates and that offers an opportunity for the Rangers.  Players who are bought out are then free to sign anywhere and are usually willing to sign for less, considering that they are in essence, drawing two salaries.  Look at Kevin Shattenkirk.  It was not an amnesty buyout, but since he still received two thirds of his salary plus any signing bonus money, he was willing to sign with the Lightning this season on a one-year deal at the bargain rate of $1.75 million.  He justified the investment, scoring eight goals and adding 26 assists, his best season in four years.

It’s the perfect example of a player using a buyout to go to a contender or a team they want to play for.   Patrick Marleau and Corey Perry were two others.  Perry signed with Dallas for $1.5 million and Marleau with San Jose for the league minimum.

While Perry and Marleau were veterans, Colorado went out and signed 25-year old Valeri Nichushkin who had been bought out by Dallas.  For their $850k investment, the Avs got a player who scored 13 goals and 27 points in this shortened season.

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