All three players were placed on waivers Monday, just two days after a six-day window opened for National Hockey League teams to buy out players' contracts at two-thirds of their value.
If Hatcher, McCarty and Whitney – all 33-years-old– clear waivers, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland can buy them out, thereby making them unrestricted free agents.
Hatcher was due to make $4.94 million US in 2005-06, followed by Whitney at $2.66 million and McCarty ($1.71 million).
Defenceman Derian Hatcher was one of three Red Wings waived on Monday. (CP File Photo)
"They've been a big, big part of our franchise," Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. "This is just a part of doing business right now with the new CBA."
Hatcher, who signed a five-year free-agent contract with Detroit in July 2003, missed 64 games during the 2003-04 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
He returned to record one point in 12 playoff games with an even plus-minus rating.
McCarty has been a fan favourite for 11 seasons in Detroit as a member of the Grind Line with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby.
The three-time Stanley Cup winner had 11 points in 2003-04 and missed 39 contests with back spasms.
"He's a hardworking, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of guy," Nill said of McCarty. "He's really what the city's all about. He came every night to play hard. He was a big part of our success."
Whitney scored 14 goals and 43 points in 2003-04, his first in Detroit after stints with San Jose, Edmonton, Florida and Columbus.
The five-foot-10-inch, 175-pound forward added four points in 12 games during the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs.
with files from Canadian Press
