NHL free agency 2017: Ducks will reportedly buy out Simon Despres’ contract to chase Cam Fowler extension

If the Anaheim Ducks want to keep defenseman Cam Fowler long term, they’ll need to shed some salary.

That apparently means oft-injured Simon Despres will come off the books. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday the Ducks placed Despres on waivers to initiate a contract buyout. Today was the last day to buy out a player before the expansion draft.

Despres just finished the first year of a five-year, $18.5 million contract with an annual cap hit of $3.7 million. Buying out the remaining $15.9 million in salary will cost the Ducks $662,500 over the next eight years, per CapFriendly.

That little bit of space lets the Ducks squeeze more out of Fowler’s impending cap hit under the books. Despres played in just one game this year for the Ducks. The injury he’s dealing with is apparently serious. He’s had concussion issues throughout his career.

This was the last year the Ducks could get a 1/3 buyout ratio on his deal, since Despres is 25 years old. Per the NHL’s buyout rules, anyone 26 or older can be bought out of the remaining 2/3 of their remaining contract value.

Fowler, 25, is in the final year of his five-year, $20 million contract. Extension talks are underway, and this buyout only helps propel them. Here’s hoping Despres returns to the NHL at some point or, failing that, at least returns to full health again.