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Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet has reported that the Nashville Predators are finalizing a buyout for forward Matt Duchene. This unexpected decision will impose salary cap penalties on the Predators for the upcoming years, while Duchene is set to become an unrestricted free agent starting July 1.
Duchene has represented the Predators for four seasons, with his early years marked by somewhat lackluster performance. Between 2019 and 2021, Duchene netted only 19 goals in 100 games. However, he bounced back in the 2021-22 season, smashing the franchise record with a staggering 43 goals. In the 2022-23 season, Duchene accumulated 22 goals and 56 points over 71 games.
In July 2019, Duchene agreed to a seven-year contract with Nashville for $56 million, with three remaining years at $8 million per season. According to CapFriendly, the Predators are now faced with buyout penalties for the next six seasons:
- 2023-24: $2.55 million
- 2024-25: $5.55 million
- 2025-26: $6.55 million
- 2026-27: $1.55 million
- 2027-28: $1.55 million
- 2028-29: $1.55 million
Furthermore, the Predators have retained salary obligations from recent trades involving Mattias Ekholm and Ryan Johansen, as well as from the buyout penalty associated with terminating Kyle Turris’s contract in 2020, which amounts to $2 million through the 2027-28 season. Consequently, Nashville is set to have a total of $8.8 million in dead money against the salary cap in 2023-24, surging to over $11.8 million in 2025-26.
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After his buyout, Duchene is expected to be one of the prime candidates in a rather limited free agent market. Despite an inconsistent stint in Nashville, Duchene retains his potential as an effective scoring winger. Now, as the Predators will continue to pay him generously over the next few years, Duchene is likely to have a wide range of options in free agency.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Matt Duchene buyout
Who reported the buyout of Matt Duchene from the Nashville Predators?
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported the buyout of Matt Duchene from the Nashville Predators.
What does Matt Duchene’s buyout mean for the Predators?
The buyout will result in salary cap penalties for the Nashville Predators for the upcoming years, but it will also make Duchene an unrestricted free agent starting July 1.
How did Matt Duchene perform in his last few seasons with the Predators?
Despite a somewhat disappointing start from 2019 to 2021 where Duchene scored only 19 goals in 100 games, he significantly improved in the 2021-22 season, setting a franchise record with 43 goals. In the 2022-23 season, Duchene collected 22 goals and 56 points in 71 games.
What was the value of Duchene’s contract with the Predators?
Matt Duchene had signed a seven-year contract with the Nashville Predators in July 2019, valued at $56 million. He had three years left on this deal, with an annual salary of $8 million.
What will be the financial impact of Duchene’s buyout on the Predators?
The Predators will be faced with buyout penalties for the next six seasons, with payments ranging from $1.55 million to $6.55 million per year. In addition, due to other contractual obligations, the Predators will have $8.8 million in dead money against the salary cap in 2023-24, and over $11.8 million in 2025-26.
What are Matt Duchene’s prospects following his buyout?
Following his buyout, Duchene is expected to become a top candidate in a somewhat limited free agent market. Despite an inconsistent stint in Nashville, Duchene has the potential to be an effective scoring winger, and is expected to have a wide range of options in free agency.
More about Matt Duchene buyout
- Original report by Elliotte Friedman
- Contract details on CapFriendly
- Matt Duchene career statistics
- Nashville Predators official news
- More on NHL Free Agency
- Insight into NHL Salary Caps
5 comments
Honestly, this might be a good move for Duchene. He needs a fresh start, someplace where he can shine again. Can’t wait to see where he ends up!
man, can’t belive Duchene’s leaving the Predators. What a shocker! Now that he’s a free agent, I wonder where he’ll end up.
can’t help but feel for the Preds, that’s a lot of dead money on their books for the next few years :/
Wow Duchene is gonna be a hot commodity in free agency. It’s not everyday you get a guy who can score 43 in a season on the market.
this has gotta hurt the preds pocket with those penalties! but then, Duchene wasn’t really delivering till the last season. Will be interesting to see where he goes next…