During the Olympics, the NHL trade deadline will become the biggest storyline for hockey fans. In particular, Dallas Stars fans will be focusing on what moves the club might make to gear up for the postseason.
At this point, a clash with the Minnesota Wild in the first round seems inevitable. While there’s a chance the Stars could catch the Colorado Avalanche, it doesn’t seem quite so feasible at this point.
That’s why the NHL trade deadline will be crucial for Dallas. But whatever plans the team has in mind, they will hinge on Tyler Seguin’s future.
Seguin went down with a torn ACL in his right knee in early December. Seguin and the team are waiting until late December for surgery to repair the injury. While such an injury would usually be a season-ending one, there’s a chance Seguin comes back this season.
And that’s the major sticking point for the Stars. Dallas can’t just shove Seguin into LTIR and hope he’s ready for the postseason. If Seguin can return this season, the Stars will have their hands tied at the NHL trade deadline.
However, if Seguin is out for the remainder of the season, the Stars can move him to season-ending LTIR (SELTIR). In that event, the Stars will have $3.8 million to work with at the NHL trade deadline. That might not be enough to land a major top-six forward, but it could be enough to land one or two solid pieces.
NHL Trade Deadline Depends on Cap Space
At the moment, the Stars have Seguin on LTIR. That situation has allowed Dallas to remain cap-compliant for the time being. But the issue lies in Seguin’s potential return. Under the new rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), there will be a playoff salary cap.
That’s the situation that has handcuffed just about every team in the league.
Under the old rules, the Stars could have hit the NHL trade deadline with Seguin on LTIR. They could have added pieces and then activated Seguin in the playoffs, as there wasn’t a cap.
But now there is. As such, if Seguin returns for the postseason, his cap hit will count. And it would limit which players could play on any given night. Needless to say, the Stars can’t just leave Seguin on LTIR and use the cap space at the deadline.
Stars Need Clarity Regarding Seguin
The Olympic break would be the perfect opportunity to get clarity on Seguin’s situation. If there’s even an inkling that he could return, the Stars would have to factor that possibility into their NHL trade deadline strategy.
That would be all right as long as there is certainty in his return. But if his return is not certain, the Stars might be better off placing him on SELTIR and hoping he’ll be fully healthy for training camp next fall.
It’s certitude that the Stars need. Knowing what to expect will determine whether the Stars can add significant pieces or just add around the fringes at this year’s deadline.
NHL Trade Deadline: Stars Plan Hinges on This