It’s the middle of the long, hot summer. However, we still have have plenty of NHL rumours to talk about. Teams are trying to get under the $82.5 million salary cap but still have to sign some key components. There are still hard decisions to make and the second buyout window is now open. The Hurricanes might have to make a Jake Gardiner buyout a reality. This would allow Martin Necas some more money for his next deal.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Jake Gardiner Buyout a Possibility
Chip Alexander of Raleigh (N.C.)’s News and Observer looked into the possibility of the injured blueliner getting a buyout. Carolina would get themselves some much-needed space to sign Necas.
‘It’s going to get done.’ Hurricanes, forward Martin Necas closing in on new contract https://t.co/ltLgja0vOA
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) August 5, 2022
The Necas contract is the one thing that’s hanging over the Hurricanes this off-season. He’s a restricted free agent and is looking for a pay raise. His cap hit was just over $863,000 and he played a big hand in Carolina winning the Metropolitan Division.
Carolina has lost some key players this off-season like Vincent Trocheck, Nino Niederreiter and Tony DeAngelo. Necas has scored 14 goals the last two seasons, but will likely get an increased role.
What the Gardiner Buyout Can Do
Capfriendly does have a buyout calculator that will help determine what the Hurricanes will have to pay out. The Canes would have to dish out $1,483,334 for the next two seasons. Carolina would save $2,966,666 this season, but it would lose out on nearly $1.5 million of cap space next season. He would be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season if he’s not bought out.
Gardiner was on injured long-term injured reserve last season and the Canes’ defence seems to be moving on without him. He has been medically cleared after suffering from hip and back injuries.
The surgeries seem to have helped the former Toronto Maple Leafs defender. However, it doesn’t look like the Hurricanes can’t make him fit into the lineup due to his contract. Gardiner could still be useful to some team that’s looking to fill a hole in their lineup. However, he’s not likely to be with the Hurricanes this season.
The Carolina Hurricanes have placed defenceman Jake Gardiner on waivers: https://t.co/LrQ9uCXOIK#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/KoEz3W6e1r
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 13, 2021
