Coyotes place Kassian, Nemeth on waivers for buyout

The Arizona Coyotes are parting ways with a couple of veterans, waiving forward Zack Kassian and defenseman Patrik Nemeth for the purpose of buying them out, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Kassian had one season left on the four-year, $12.8-million deal he signed with the Edmonton Oilers in January 2020. The Oilers traded him to the Coyotes last July.

Arizona will now pay him $766,667 in each of the next two campaigns, with a cap hit of approximately $1.67 million next season and $766,667 in 2024-25, per CapFriendly.

Kassian is a longtime grinder and enforcer who posted just two goals in 51 games in 2022-23. The 32-year-old played seven seasons with the Oilers after spending three-plus campaigns with the Vancouver Canucks and part of one with the Buffalo Sabres.

Nemeth also had one year left on his contract. The New York Rangers inked him to a three-year, $7.5-million pact before Arizona acquired him in July 2022 - six days after the Kassian trade.

The Coyotes will pay $1,166,667 to Nemeth for each of the next two seasons at a cap hit of $166,667 in 2023-24 and $1,166,667 in 2024-25.

Nemeth collected only five assists over 75 games with the Coyotes this past campaign. The 31-year-old played for four other teams before landing with Arizona, including the Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Dallas Stars, as well as two tenures with the Colorado Avalanche.