There's no one on the roster I would look to buy out.
Purcell only has a year left, and he is a legit middle 6 forward. Plus he and Lander lookes good together last year as a depth scoring pair.
I think Pakarinen, Pitlick or a dark horse to Slepyshev are the future in this spot, but I'd rather see them take it, vs. Being gifted it.
It's the same with Nikitin. He has a history of being a decent NHL'er, so I'd rather see how he does when he's not playing for the worst coach the league has seen in several years. By the end of the year I expect his spot to go to Nurse or Reinhardt, but once again I rather see them take it.
Ference is a different case through, he's not big enough to survive in the west, especially at his age. However I still wouldn't buy him out due to the number of years that'll affect the cap. I'd rather retain half and move him for a pick or trade him for another overpaid defenseman that only has 1 year left on their deal. ( similar to the Bourque-Allen trade last year)
Go after guys like Boyle, Liles, Quincey, Phillips, Gunnarsson, ect
Or pair up Ference and Scrivens and go after Cam Ward.