Cutter Gauthier buyout
Anaheim Ducks · L · cap hit $13,500,000 · through 2031-32 · M-NTC
Bought out in the June 2027 window, Cutter Gauthier would be 23: his team would pay him one third of his remaining base salary, $3,568,474, in 10 annual payments of $356,847.
- Buyout cost
- $3.57M
- 1/3 of remaining base salary
- Annual payment
- $0.36M
- over 10 seasons
- Cap savings
- $7.14M
- over the whole term
- Cash savings
- $7.14M
- for the owner
| Season | Cap hit before | Cap hit after | Savings | Salary owed | Paid with buyout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-28 | $13,500,000 | $12,956,847 | $543,153 | $14,655,214 | $14,112,061 |
| 2028-29 | $13,500,000 | $12,906,847 | $593,153 | $11,710,846 | $11,117,693 |
| 2029-30 | $13,500,000 | $12,856,847 | $643,153 | $11,710,846 | $11,067,693 |
| 2030-31 | $13,500,000 | $8,001,424 | $5,498,576 | $11,710,843 | $6,212,267 |
| 2031-32 | $13,500,000 | $11,856,847 | $1,643,153 | $11,710,846 | $10,067,693 |
| 2032-33added | — | $356,847 | −$356,847 | — | $356,847 |
| 2033-34added | — | $356,847 | −$356,847 | — | $356,847 |
| 2034-35added | — | $356,847 | −$356,847 | — | $356,847 |
| 2035-36added | — | $356,847 | −$356,847 | — | $356,847 |
| 2036-37added | — | $356,847 | −$356,847 | — | $356,847 |
The calculation
Remaining base salary $10,705,423 (5 seasons) × 1/3 (under 26) = $3,568,474 ÷ 10 seasons (twice the term) = $356,847 per season Cap hit, contract season = cap hit − (base salary − payment) Cap hit, added season = payment
The remaining signing bonuses — $50,793,172 — are untouched by a buyout: already promised, they are still owed and still count against the cap. That is why a bonus-heavy contract is nearly buyout-proof.
Cutter Gauthier's profile →Anaheim Ducks finances →Another player →
How buyouts work
- Buyouts happen in the summer window, June 15–30 (or from 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final).
- The team pays one third of the remaining base salary if the player is under 26, two thirds if he is 26 or older.
- That amount is paid in equal parts over twice the years left on the contract.
- Each contract season keeps its cap hit minus that year's savings; each added season carries the payment.
- Signing bonuses are still owed and still count against the cap. Performance bonuses and 35+ contracts follow special rules this calculator doesn't cover.
NHL–NHLPA CBA, article 50.9. Contracts: PickALeague records.