Now that the Stanley Cup has been hoisted, hockey fans anxiously await answers to pressing questions: where do pending UFA’s Erik Karlsson and Blue Jackets trio, Sergei Bobrovsky, Matt Duchene and Artemi Panarin, land? Are PK Subban and Jacob Trouba on the trade block? How will the Maple Leafs clear the decks to get RFA Mitchell Marner under contract?

While the door has officially closed on the 2018-19 campaign, NHL general managers are already hard at work, formulating next season’s rosters.

First up is the opening of the league’s initial buyout period June 15. At that time, teams can opt to begin the process of shedding perceived bad contracts or unwanted players no longer valued by their teams.

NHL FREE AGENCY 2019: Marner, Point and the top RFAs in the Atlantic Division

General managers have until June 30 at 5 p.m. to free up precious cap space, which can be utilized for a multitude of reasons – to add or re-sign a pending free agent, clear room for a prospective trade or secure a roster spot for an incoming prospect.

The previous offseason saw eight contracts bought out, including seven during the first buyout phase.

A second buyout window occurs if a specific club’s player files for arbitration, and their case is then settled by an arbitrator.

Three days after a decision is rendered, that team can buy out another contract. In addition, if that team has more than one player head to arbitration, they may wait until all their cases are settled.

Last August, the Flames took advantage of the second window, cutting loose forward Troy Brouwer.

In 2017, a whopping 14 NHLers had their contracts terminated.

With this in mind, Sporting News takes a dive into the top-10 2019 buyout candidates.

Buyout calculator provided by Cap Friendly.

Scott Darling, G, Carolina Hurricanes

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After posting a 39-17-9 record with the Blackhawks over three seasons, the Hurricanes jumped at the opportunity to sign Darling to a four-year, $16.6 million deal in the 2017 offseason. However, the 30-year-old hasn’t been able to reach the same heights with Carolina. Darling faltered in the first year of his contract, finishing 13-21-7 with a subpar .888 save percentage.

Darling tweaked a hamstring in Carolina’s final preseason game, and never found his groove. Waiver claim Curtis McElhinney essentially won Darling’s job, forcing the netminder to be placed on waivers Nov. 29.

After a dismal run with the eventual American League champion Charlotte Checkers, Darling took a personal leave of absence in February.

Hurricanes GM Don Waddell intimated at season’s end, he’ll attempt to re-sign pending UFA goalies McElhinney and Petr Mrazek.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $1.23M; 2020-21, $2.33M; 2021-22, $1.18M; 2022-23, $1.18M

Dion Phaneuf, D, Los Angeles Kings

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At age 34, Phaneuf is one of eight players over 30 on the Kings current roster. The 14-year veteran rearguard's 2018-19 campaign was the worst in his career in several categories, including goals, assists, points (1-5-6), plus-minus (minus-21) and average time-on-ice (15:00).

Phaneuf also became a healthy scratch for the first time in his career this past season.

With younger defensemen Paul Ladue, Kurtis MacDermid, Matt Roy and Sean Walker competing for ice time, Phaneuf’s time with the Kings is likely coming to a conclusion.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $2.91M; 2020-21, $5.41M; 2021-22, $1.41M; 2022-23, $1.41M

TRADE RUMORS: Sabres targeting Wild's Jason Zucker

Corey Perry, RW, Anaheim Ducks

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A recent report by The Athletic’s Pierre Lebrun suggests Ducks’ GM Bob Murray is exploring all options regarding former the 2011 NHL MVP – this includes buying out the 34-year-old’s final two seasons of his contract.

The Ducks’ all-time leader in games played (988) was limited to 31 appearances in 2018-19 due to a torn meniscus and knee ligament suffered in a preseason game.

Armed with a no-movement clause, Perry will be tough to move in a trade, so a buyout becomes more of a likely possibility as the breakup of Ducks’ iconic duo of Perry and Ryan Getzlaf seems inevitable.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $2.62M; 2020-21, $6.62M; 2021-22, $2M; 2022-23, $2M

Ryan Callahan, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

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It’s no secret the Lightning need to clear cap space in order to extend RFA forward Brayden Point, who is coming fresh off a 92-point campaign. They're also rumored to potentially pursue pending UFA D Erik Karlsson.

With only $10 million of projected 2019-20 cap space available and 17 players currently under contract, Callahan’s $5.8 million cap hit is cumbersome. A buyout will result in a $3.2 million saving next season, and that's a start.

The New York native possesses a 16-team modified no-trade clause, therefore a trade to a club attempting to avoid the salary cap floor isn’t out of the question. However, if Callahan isn’t dealt, expect a buyout.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $2.66M; 2020-21, $1.56M

MORE: Erik Karlsson undergoes successful surgery for groin injury

Brendan Smith, D, New York Rangers

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Smith was a sought-after commodity at the 2017 trade deadline. Acquired from the Red Wings, Smith didn’t disappoint, as the 2007 first-round pick averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time per game throughout the remainder of the regular season and playoffs. His performance eventually earned him a four-year, $17.4 million extension.

However, Smith’s play dropped off dramatically during the first year of his deal, so much so that the now 30 year-old was subsequently waived. One season later, Smith is merely filling a depth role among the defensive core.

With prospects Adam Fox, Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren and Yegor Rykov knocking on the door, it doesn’t behoove the Rangers to retain Smith for the final two seasons of his deal.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $970,000; 2020-21, $3.14M; 2021-22, $1.14M; 2022-23, $1.14M

Jack Johnson, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

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2018-19 was no different. Johnson’s 46.13 Corsi rating (per Natural Stattrick) ranked 79th out of 90 defenseman playing 60 games or more.

With four years remaining on his contract, it’s hard to fathom Johnson being dealt.

RFA d-man Marcus Pettersson needs a new deal, and promising Finnish defender Juuso Riikola recently inked a one-way contract. If Johnson isn’t bought out, a demotion to the AHL stands a real possibility. Given the larger cap hit, a buyout following next season isn’t out of the realm.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $270,833; 2020-21, $1.27M; 2021-22, $1.27M; 2022-23, $2.02M; 2023-27, inclusive $1.02M per season

Mike Condon, G, Ottawa Senators

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The recent signing of pending UFA goalie Anders Nilsson to a two-year contract extension likely spells the end of Condon’s time in Ottawa. It appears the team will move forward with a veteran tandem of Craig Anderson and Nilsson, leaving Condon as the odd man out.

The 29-year-old made two subpar starts in October prior to being placed on waivers and subsequently sent to the club’s AHL-affiliate Belleville. It was then learned Condon was suffering from a debilitating hip injury. From there, Condon made only one appearance with the AHL Senators before shutting it down for the remainder of the season. The Boston area resident returned to practice after receiving what he termed “successful” stem-cell infusion towards the end of the campaign, but he failed to get into a game.

Buying out Condon will be determined by his health. If the Princeton grad is deemed injured come June 15, GM Pierre Dorion will be forced to keep Condon on the Senators’ roster until the start of next season.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $400,000; 2020-21, $1M

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Andrew MacDonald, D, Philadelphia Flyers

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Heading into the final season of his six-year, $30 million contract, MacDonald is close to reaching his expiry date with the club. Reduced to a spare part last season, the 32-year-old skated in only 47 games, averaging the fewest minutes (16:24) of his career.

Though a buyout is likely, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher can opt to send the 11-year veteran to the AHL, if only to keep the Nova Scotian available in case of an injury.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $1.16M; 2020-21, $1.91M

Karl Alzner, D, Montreal Canadiens

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Waived in the just the second season of a five-year, $23.125 million deal, Alzner spent the majority of the 2018-19 campaign with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval.

Over seven seasons with the Capitals, the 30-year-old was known for his mobility, size,and ability to shutdown opposing forwards. Canadiens’ fans only saw glimpses of this traits during his 91 games with Montreal.

It’s no secret that GM Marc Bergevin will deal Alzner if he can find a willing partner. One bonus that may entice a team with loads of cap space; the British Columbia native is owed $11.125M in actual salary over the next three seasons, an average of $3.7 million. However, Alzner’s cap hit is $4.625 million.

If Alzner isn’t moved, a buyout looms.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $1.07M; 2020-21, $4.19M; 2021-22, $2.19M; 2022-25, inclusive $1.07M per season

Alexander Steen, F, St. Louis Blues

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At first glance, Steen is a surprising buyout candidate. Looking deeper, it makes a lot of sense. The 35-year-old has two years remaining on a deal which pays $5.8 million per season – too rich for a player limited to a fourth-line role during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Not to mention, Steen’s point totals have declined four consecutive seasons (52, 51, 46, 27).

The team currently possesses a projected $18 million of cap space for 2019-20. While that sounds like a lot of money, it isn’t. The Blues roster has seven potential RFA’s including goaltending hero Jordan Binnington, d-man Joel Edmundson, forwards Ivan Barbashev, Sammy Blais, Robby Fabbri, Zach Sanford and Oskar Sundqvist. The club also wants to re-sign pending UFA local-favorite Patrick Maroon.

Given Steen’s contributions over 11 campaigns in St. Louis, saving $4.1 million sounds harsh, but it’s a matter of economics for GM Doug Armstrong.

Buyout cap hit: 2019-20, $1.75M; 2020-21, $3.75M; 2021-22, $1.5M; 2022-23, $1.5M

Honorable mentions: David Backes, C, Boston Bruins, Matt Beleskey, LW, New York Rangers, Patrick Eaves, RW, Anaheim Ducks, Jonathan Ericsson, D, Detroit Red Wings, Marc Staal, D, New York Rangers