- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
The offseason’s first buyout period has ended with a surprise buyout from the Sharks.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, as The Athletic's Corey Masisak reported on July 8, was not bought out.
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Instead, Rudolfs Balcers was waived for the purpose of a buyout. Because the 25-year-old winger is under 26 years old, the Sharks will only owe him one-third of his remaining salary. Balcers had just one year at $1.55 million left on his contract.
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The buyout will extend two years, but the Sharks will take on just an $8,334 cap hit in 2022-23 and a $308,334 hit in 2023-24.
