Report: Lightning buy out Matt Carle

The Tampa Bay Lightning will buy out defenseman Matt Carle, according to multiple reports.

Carle, 31, falls victim to Tampa Bay's pressing cap issue, but the decision could prove to be valuable for the Lightning, as the team will save $3.67 million over the next two seasons, according to General Fanager.

Carle carried an AAV of $5.5 million and signed with the Lightning through 2018.

Despite retaining captain Steven Stamkos, general manager Steve Yzerman has decisions to make in the near future regarding Alex Killorn, Nikita Kucherov, and Ben Bishop, among others.

Not as offensively potent as he used to be, Carle posted nine points in 64 contests last season. Still, he will likely be sought after by plenty of teams in search of a middle-pairing blue-liner.