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NHL Buyout Rules - A Refresher

A guide to both the basic and the complex rules involved with buying players out

With buy-out season soon upon us, and the chance that the Senators will participate this year, it's time for a refresher guide to NHL Player Buy-Outs. A lot of it you may know, but there's likely something new to learn for all but the most seasoned NHL rules experts.

When can a team buy out a contract?

There are three different answers to this question.

The first is the most common - the regular buyout window. The start of this window shifts - it is either June 15th or 48 hours after the Cup is awarded, whichever is later.