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Teams get two amnesty buyouts over next two summers

Jets Canadiens Hockey

Montreal Canadiens’ Scott Gomez skates off the ice during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Montreal. Gomez has not scored for a year despite his salary of more than $7 million. The Canadiens shut out the Jets 3-0. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson)

AP

NHL clubs will have to adjust to a $64.3 million salary cap in 2013-14 as part of the tentative new CBA, but they will each get two amnesty buyouts to help them through the transition, according to CP’s Chris Johnston and Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos.

The debate on which players will be bought out will start immediately, but teams don’t need to rush to a decision. NHL franchises will be allowed to use the buyouts starting this summer and they will also have the opportunity to exercise them during the 2014 off-season. They can buy out two players simultaneously or spread them out if they wish.

The players bought out will still receive two-thirds of what’s left on their contract, but those costs will not count towards the salary cap. However, they will still count towards the players’ share of hockey-related revenues.

Given that the first amnesty buyout period won’t start until this summer, some potential candidates will have the opportunity to try to avoid that fate by performing admirably during the shortened season.

Oh, and FYI...

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