Stars Making Moves in Busy Offseason
Cap-dumping trades in the NHL are sometimes necessary for allocating extra money for Free Agency.
The Dallas Stars completed moves over the week to address their recent salary cap situation.
Jim-Nill Magic Continuing
Mason Marchment is headed to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for draft picks, dumping his $4.5 million cap hit. More Jim Nill magic is on the way, with additional news and rumors on the board. A surprising name is linked to the Stars, but lots more movements are required before that happens.
More cap dump trades are on the table as the Stars try to inch ahead to fill the roster for next season.
Dumping the Cap
Mason Marchment left Dallas, allowing the Stars to re-sign Matt Duchene to a 4-year, $4.5 million AAV deal. Duchene finished first on the Stars in points out of all those who spent the entire year in Dallas. He is a veteran leader in the locker room who can put up large amounts of points, 82 in 82 games last season. More cap dump trades are likely on the way as all eyes are on Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin.
These two combine for $7 million next season, with more players needing new contracts.
Jamie Benn still needs a contract, and it is unlikely the Stars will let him walk. He’ll make significantly less than his cap hit of $9.5 million AAV over the last 8 years, but the Stars still show interest in retaining him. Mikael Granlund may walk, leaving the Stars looking for a budget player. Other rumors are spreading as the offseason is shaping into a busy one for the Stars.
Mitch Marner to Dallas?
Jason Robertson, who has been in trade rumors, sent a shiver of anticipation over Stars fans last week. Robertson trade rumors quickly fizzled out, but another player is making headlines in the rumor mill. Mitch Marner is a free agent after his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Several teams are already linked to contract talks with him, one of them being the Stars. The odds of Marner joining the Stars are near zero as five Stars players are making $7.750 million next season.
Two super contracts of $10+ million are troublesome for one team to have, as the Stars are already near the limit of cap space.
You can forget about Robertson re-signing, alongside any chances of budgeting for 3rd-4th line depth.
The Stars will also need wiggle room with Tyler Seguin’s departure, but he is under an NMC, meaning he cannot be traded unless he requests it. Big-name talent like Marner and his 102 points last season is nice to have, but it fits more with teams holding at least $20 million in cap space. Signing Marner is possible, but the Stars will sacrifice too much.
Likely Moves
Matt Dumba never dressed for a playoff game despite his $3.75 million cap hit. His time in Dallas is likely over as the Stars look to trade him and Lyubushkin. These moves will free up $7 million to sign Jamie Benn and possibly Mikael Granlund. Many agree that Granlund is a good fit with the Finnish direction the Stars are in, recording a hat trick in Game 4 against the Winnipeg Jets.
Any other Free Agency moves are budget signings in the $1.5-3 million range. Filling out the depth forwards is pivotal to building a complete lineup for next season.
The Stars don’t want to become top-heavy with two players with AAVs of $10 million or more.
Marner’s name is gaining more traction for the Stars, but a major shakeup would be needed if he signs with Dallas.
PHOTO: Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
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