In the NHL standings, a clear divide is emerging between the top teams and the rest of the league, with the Colorado Avalanche leading at 49 points and the Dallas Stars closely following at 47 points. The Stars have managed to put a significant gap between themselves and the third-place team, sitting eight points ahead.
On December 6th, the Stars faced a setback when veteran forward Tyler Seguin was placed on long-term injured reserve due to an ACL injury. While this loss is a blow to the team, considering Seguin contributed 17 points in 27 games, his placement on LTIR also frees up substantial cap space. Seguin’s hefty $9.85 million annual salary allows the team some financial flexibility moving forward.
During a recent episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, industry experts weighed in on how the Stars could strategically use this newfound cap space. Carter Hutton, a former NHL goaltender, initiated the discussion by asking about Dallas’s plans to address Seguin’s absence.
David Pagnotta, a reporter from The Fourth Period, explained that the Stars, under general manager Jim Nill, have shown a willingness to make aggressive moves. He noted that Nill has a history of acquiring players early in the season, as seen last year with the additions of Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci prior to the trade deadline. Pagnotta mentioned the unique two-deadline structure, with one occurring before the Olympics and the official trade deadline on March 6th, giving teams a strategic window to act.
The current priority for the Stars is to assess Seguin’s potential availability for the playoffs. If it becomes clear that he will not return this season, the team could make full use of his $9.85 million cap hit alongside the additional $3 million they currently have. Pagnotta highlighted the team’s interest in several potential acquisitions, including Rasmus Andersson and Blake Coleman, while noting that Nazem Kadri’s situation is more complicated due to his contract and the Flames’ reluctance to trade him.
As the Stars navigate this challenging terrain, the organization appears committed to bolstering its roster for a postseason push, demonstrating a proactive approach to capitalize on the financial opportunities presented by Seguin’s injury.
