NHL teams cut ties with four players charged in 2018 sexual assault case

NHL teams have cut ties with four players who were charged earlier this year in a 2018 sexual assault case.

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, and two New Jersey Devils players, forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote, didn't receive qualifying offers by Sunday's deadline for NHL teams to retain their restricted free agents.

Those four, along with former Ottawa Senators player Alex Formenton, were charged in February with sexual assault. McLeod faces two charges and the others face one charge.

Police say the assault occurred in London, Ontario, after a 2018 Hockey Canada gala honoring the gold-medal-winning world junior championship team.

"After the event, the accused and several teammates met the victim at a downtown bar and later invited her to a hotel room, where the sexual assault by the individuals now charged took place," London police chief Thai Truong said in a February news conference.

The four NHL players had requested and were granted indefinite leave from their teams. Lawyers for Hart and for the other players said they would fight the charges in court.

The London Free Press reported in June that no trial date has been set.

The four NHL players now become unrestricted free agents. Formenton played in Europe last season.

Contract buyouts

Sunday was also the deadline for teams to buy out players' contracts.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner is a free agent after the team bought out the remaining three years of his contract.

The Edmonton Oilers said they were taking steps to buy out goaltender Jack Campbell, who was sent to the American Hockey League this season following a disappointing one-plus seasons for the 2022 free agent signee.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt (according to TSN) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Boqvist also will be bought out.

Dallas Stars defenseman Ryan Suter (for a second time) and Flyers forward Cam Atkinson were bought out earlier.