These are the 5 most likely NHL buyout candidates

2. Paul Martin – San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are reportedly going to buy out defenseman Paul Martin. While he hasn’t been great recently, this has more to do with the Sharks cap situation than anything else. After extending Evander Kane, San Jose would like to potentially add some more talent. Buying out Martin would save them $2.833333 million next season, though it would cost them $1.416667 million in 2019-20.

He played just 14 games for the Sharks last season. Martin was passed on the depth chart by guys like Dylan DeMelo and Joakim Ryan while he was injured. Though he later came back, it’s pretty clear his days with the Sharks are over. It makes no sense for San Jose to pay a guy who won’t regularly be in the lineup $4.85 million.

Martin’s deal has not been awful for the Sharks. He helped them make the Stanley Cup Final in 2015-16. Martin has helped Brent Burns become more efficient defensively. And it’s worth noting Burns won the Norris Trophy with Martin as his primary partner.

The Sharks need cap space and, sadly, he’s got not place on the team. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Martin catch on someone else on a cheap deal. He still has some gas left in the tank. But Martin is no longer a good fit on the Sharks.