NYM 
PHI 
As the NHL off-season approaches, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves at a crossroads with defenseman Ryan Graves, who has been identified as a potential buyout candidate. In a recent analysis by Lyle Richardson for Bleacher Report, Graves was highlighted among five players who could be bought out this summer. With the Penguins holding $37.9 million in salary-cap space for the upcoming season, the team has some flexibility, but the decision on Graves could be a tough one.
Richardson points out that a buyout would save the Penguins only $1.2 million annually for the next two seasons, dipping to $944,444 in the third year. This modest cap relief may not seem significant, but it becomes crucial if the team struggles to find a trade partner for the 6-foot-5 defenseman. Graves has had difficulty establishing his role since joining the Penguins and even spent time in the AHL this season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, further complicating his future with the team.
The Penguins’ management faces a pivotal decision: if they do not view Graves as a bounce-back candidate, a buyout could become a reality. Trading him poses its own challenges, given his $4.5 million cap hit that extends until the end of the 2028-29 season. For a player who struggled to maintain a steady presence in the NHL this season, that is a hefty price tag.
While the prospect of a buyout looms large, the Penguins’ ample cap space opens the door for the possibility of giving Graves another opportunity. The organization must weigh the benefits of a fresh start against the potential gains from keeping the veteran blueliner. In 22 games with the Penguins this season, Graves registered just one goal and a minus-3 rating, while he fared better in the AHL, scoring three goals and accumulating 10 points in 15 games.
Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.
