NHL Teams Prepare for Buyout Window as 2026 Offseason Heats Up The first buyout window of the 2026 NHL offseason officially opens today, giving teams a crucial 13-day period to shed unwanted contracts and reshape their rosters. As the league's collective bargaining agreement allows, teams can use this window to buy out the remaining years of a player's contract, essentially releasing them from their obligations in exchange for a hefty cap hit. With the buyout window set to close on June 30, teams are likely to be busy making tough decisions about which players to let go, and which ones to keep. As the NHL's offseason heats up, fans are eagerly anticipating which players will be on the move, and what this means for the future of their favorite teams.

The first buyout window of the 2026 NHL offseason opens today, June 17, and there could be quite a few names to hit unconditional waivers over the next 13 days.…