NHL Rumors: Washington Capitals won’t buy out Brooks Laich

The NHL offseason has been here for the Washington Capitals for over a month now and the team is looking at way s they can improve their roster in any way possible. While they’ve been adding by subtracting — trading netminder Jaroslav Halak to the Islanders last month — one player won’t be on his way out anytime soon.

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Despite the Washington Capitals having one compliance buyout left, Brooks Laich will not be the one chosen according to his agent Roly Thompson.

The compliance buyout period will begin 48 hours after the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan was attending the annual GM meeting Wednesday night so was unable to be reached in regards to this topic. However, he did state last may that the team needs Laich moving forward.

Laich has three years and $12.5 million remaining on a six-year, $27 million contract he signed with the Capitals in 2011. 

Unfortunately, Laich has been suffering through groin injuries in recent years, and even if the Capitals decided to trade him, Laich would need to pass a physical in order to be bought out. Due to these injuries, Laich has only play 60 out of a possible 130 games over the past two seasons.

"“Yes, he’s had some injury difficulties with the groin and they can kind of drive you crazy because they are recurring. But he has had the operation that has permanently fixed it and he’s as excited as all get out to go back to Washington.”"

If the Capitals do indeed want Laich to be bought out, they would need to pay him two-thirds of his current salary over twice its length. This would mean that his buyout cost would be $8.33 million spaced over six years.