Yesterday, the Nashville Predators traded a package of picks and Nick Bonino (one more year at $4.1M) for Luke Kunin (RFA) and a later pick, and put Kyle Turris (four more years at $6M) on unconditional waivers for a buyout (eight more years at $2M).
These moves clear both salary cap and—potentially—hard cash.
With the NHL schedule for 2020-21 uncertain and sure to be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 situation, many individual teams are probably finding themselves in uncertain financial waters as well. There are no ticket sales, in-arena advertising, or concessions to bring revenue to teams.