Thomas Harley buyout
Dallas Stars · D · cap hit $10,587,000 · through 2033-34 · NMC
Bought out in the June 2027 window, Thomas Harley would be 25: his team would pay him one third of his remaining base salary, $19,898,667, in 14 annual payments of $1,421,333.
- Buyout cost
- $19.9M
- 1/3 of remaining base salary
- Annual payment
- $1.42M
- over 14 seasons
- Cap savings
- $39.8M
- over the whole term
- Cash savings
- $39.8M
- for the owner
| Season | Cap hit before | Cap hit after | Savings | Salary owed | Paid with buyout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-28 | $10,587,000 | $3,008,333 | $7,578,667 | $11,000,000 | $3,421,333 |
| 2028-29 | $10,587,000 | $3,008,333 | $7,578,667 | $11,000,000 | $3,421,333 |
| 2029-30 | $10,587,000 | $4,069,133 | $6,517,867 | $9,939,200 | $3,421,333 |
| 2030-31 | $10,587,000 | $4,069,133 | $6,517,867 | $9,939,200 | $3,421,333 |
| 2031-32 | $10,587,000 | $4,069,133 | $6,517,867 | $9,939,200 | $3,421,333 |
| 2032-33 | $10,587,000 | $3,069,133 | $7,517,867 | $9,939,200 | $2,421,333 |
| 2033-34 | $10,587,000 | $3,069,133 | $7,517,867 | $9,939,200 | $2,421,333 |
| 2034-35added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2035-36added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2036-37added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2037-38added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2038-39added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2039-40added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
| 2040-41added | — | $1,421,333 | −$1,421,333 | — | $1,421,333 |
The calculation
Remaining base salary $59,696,000 (7 seasons) × 1/3 (under 26) = $19,898,667 ÷ 14 seasons (twice the term) = $1,421,333 per season Cap hit, contract season = cap hit − (base salary − payment) Cap hit, added season = payment
The remaining signing bonuses — $12,000,000 — 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.
Thomas Harley's profile →Dallas Stars 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.