Rumor: Rangers to use a buyout if they can't make a trade today

With the NHL's contract buy-out window ending today at 5pm ET expect a flurry of activity from GM's as they jockey into position heading into the free agent period beginning tomorrow.

There are several buyout candidates out there and if teams can't make a deal via trade before this evening, there should be several players out of a deal by the end of the day. Once bought out these players become unrestricted free agents and are available to sign with any team starting tomorrow.

One such candidate is New York Rangers defenseman Patrik Nemeth. The big Swedish blueliner is due $2.5 million both this upcoming season and the next season and has not fit in well with the team's defense corps. He managed just seven points in 63 games with the Rangers this past season and due to his contract, he's unlikely to stick with the team for next season. NHL insider Chris Johnston reports that unless the team can make a deal for him today, he'll likely hit the open market as a free agent after getting bought out.

I could see a team taking a chance on Nemeth, even at his price tag. The fact of the matter is that he's a solid, defensive defenseman who can provide some depth to a good team or some stability to a weaker team. He's a good player, just slightly overvalued. Stay tuned.