The Detroit Red Wings are buying out Kailer Yamamoto's contract, reports TSN's Darren Dreger, making the forward free to sign with any team.
Detroit acquired Yamamoto and Klim Kostin from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future considerations on Thursday. The Red Wings strongly considered keeping Yamamoto but couldn't make it work, Dreger adds.
The 24-year-old was entering the final year of his contract, which carried a $3.1-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly. With Friday's move, Yamamoto's cap hit will be $433,000 for the 2023-24 season and $533,000 in 2024-25, per PuckPedia.
A first-round pick in 2017, Yamamoto spent his first six NHL seasons with the Oilers. He set a career high with 41 points in 81 games during the 2021-22 season, including 20 goals. Yamamoto was limited to 58 games and 25 points this past season.
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