The Carolina Hurricanes are atop the NHL and their celebration is just getting started. Rhe rest of the league is about to be hard at work trying to catch up.The offseason is underway, with the next few weeks expected to bring a flurry of player movement via trades and signings. The salary cap is increasing to $104 million and several big-market teams with money to spend and holes to fill are eager to get better.Here is what to know:
Buyout window opens firstStarting late Tuesday night and through June 30, clubs can buy out player contracts. There are not a ton of buyouts expected this summer, though the reigning champs have a legitimate candidate: Jesperi Kotkaniemi surprisingly got handed the Stanley Cup before leading goal-scorer Logan Stankoven or goaltender Brandon Bussi. The Finnish forward who turns 26 on July 6 was a healthy scratch all playoffs.While Kotkaniemi has four years left on his contract, his age would allow Carolina to save nearly $4 million against the cap next season and $4.3 million the following three with a buyout, while incurring a minimal charge of under $900,000 from 2030-34. A trade is also an option for someone who might want to take a chance on his potential.Montreal buying out 34-year-old winger Brendan Gallagher is also a possibility. Gallagher dressed for three games in the first round and not again the during his team’s run to the Eastern Conference Final. He is signed for one more season at a $6.5 million hit.
