Nathan MacKinnon buyout
Colorado Avalanche · C · cap hit $12,600,000 · through 2030-31 · NMC
Bought out in the June 2027 window, Nathan MacKinnon would be 31: his team would pay him two thirds of his remaining base salary, $2,653,333, in 8 annual payments of $331,667.
- Buyout cost
- $2.65M
- 2/3 of remaining base salary
- Annual payment
- $0.33M
- over 8 seasons
- Cap savings
- $1.33M
- over the whole term
- Cash savings
- $1.33M
- for the owner
| Season | Cap hit before | Cap hit after | Savings | Salary owed | Paid with buyout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-28 | $12,604,000 | $11,945,667 | $658,333 | $9,900,000 | $9,241,667 |
| 2028-29 | $12,604,000 | $11,945,667 | $658,333 | $9,900,000 | $9,241,667 |
| 2029-30 | $12,604,000 | $11,935,667 | $668,333 | $9,910,000 | $9,241,667 |
| 2030-31 | $12,604,000 | $11,935,667 | $668,333 | $9,910,000 | $9,241,667 |
| 2031-32added | — | $331,667 | −$331,667 | — | $331,667 |
| 2032-33added | — | $331,667 | −$331,667 | — | $331,667 |
| 2033-34added | — | $331,667 | −$331,667 | — | $331,667 |
| 2034-35added | — | $331,667 | −$331,667 | — | $331,667 |
The calculation
Remaining base salary $3,980,000 (4 seasons) × 2/3 (26 or older) = $2,653,333 ÷ 8 seasons (twice the term) = $331,667 per season Cap hit, contract season = cap hit − (base salary − payment) Cap hit, added season = payment
The remaining signing bonuses — $35,640,000 — 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.
Nathan MacKinnon's profile →Colorado Avalanche 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.