Penguins have several players who can be bought out this offseason

The offseason chatter in the NHL always stirs up some drama, especially when it comes to contract buyouts.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the spotlight this time, with speculation swirling around a few players who might be on the chopping block at the hands of General Manager Kyle Dubas. Let's break it down player by player:

Matt Nieto

First up, Matt Nieto had a rough go in the 2023-24 season, dealing with injuries and struggling to find his groove on the ice. With just one year left on his contract, buying him out would be a cost-effective move for the Penguins, at just $300,000 for the next two seasons. But , a trade could still be in the cards, or he might find himself back on LTIR if he's not fully recovered.

Noel Acciari

Noel Acciari may not light up the scoreboard, but he brings a solid defensive game to the fourth line. Still, a buyout could free up some much-needed cap space for the Penguins to make bigger moves. It'll come with a cost of $583,333 for a few seasons, but with careful planning, it could work out in the long run.

Lars Eller

Lars Eller, the seasoned center, might not fit into the Penguins' plans for a youthful lineup anymore, especially at 35. Buying him out wouldn't break the bank either, costing just $816,667 over two seasons. Of course, Dubas will explore all options before resorting to a buyout, but it's something to consider if they're looking to shake things up.

Now, as for guys like Ryan Graves, Reilly Smith, or Tristan Jarry, a buyout isn't likely. Their contracts are either too long or too pricey to make it a feasible option. So, for now, it's all about weighing the pros and cons and finding the best path forward for the Penguins' roster.

As seen on The Hockey News:
Penguins Have Multiple Buyout Candidates