from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

The buyout period begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday and continues through 5 p.m. on June 30. It is a process that allows teams to get out from onerous contracts, although there are costs to teams, both in real dollars paid to the player and cap space, depending on the age of the player involved and how much term is left.

It is a process that is complicated this summer by the fact that teams are preparing for a possible expansion draft a year from now....

Here’s a look at players who could be subject to a buyout in the coming days.

Dan Girardi, New York Rangers

Girardi has four years left on his deal, with a $5.5 million salary cap. Given the precipitous decline in his play and the need for the Rangers to retool on the fly after a disappointing first-round playoff exit against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Girardi hardly seems to fit the team’s long-term needs.

Kari Lehtonen/Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars

Dallas GM Jim Nill has said he won't buy out either of his goaltenders, but if the Stars truly aspire to winning a Stanley Cup, he has to know this tandem isn't likely to get the job done. The Stars have $20.8 million committed to the two over the next two seasons. Too much by a country mile.

more players...