The Dallas Stars' third straight elimination from the Western Conference final generated speculation suggesting management could shake things up.
Pete DeBoer's removal as coach last week was a significant step, but some observers wondered if changes were coming to the Stars' roster.
Jason Robertson was mentioned as a cost-cutting trade candidate. The Stars have less than $5 million in cap space for 2025-26 with UFAs Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund to re-sign or replace.
Robertson is signed through next season with an average annual value of $7.5 million and lacks no-trade protection. Despite his team-leading 35 goals this season, it was observed that the 25-year-old winger's role had changed following the trade deadline acquisition of Mikko Rantanen.
However, a Postmedia report cited league executives claiming the Stars haven't expressed any interest in moving Robertson, nor had there been any trade talks.
The Hockey News' Adam Denker also said losing in the Western final three straight times is not a cause to make rash decisions, and Robertson is expected to be in Dallas for training camp.
Stars management could consider other options to shed salary without sacrificing scoring punch. One of them could be trading or buying out Matt Dumba. The 30-year-old right-shot defenseman has a year left on his contract with a $3.75-million cap hit. He averaged 15:18 of ice time in 63 games this season and was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
Blueliner Ilya Lyubushkin could also become a trade or buyout candidate. Signed through 2026-27 with a $3.25 million average annual value, he averaged 17:13 of ice time in 80 regular-season games but was scratched from the Stars' final four games during the Western Conference final.
Speaking of players who aren't being traded, Drake Batherson received the support of Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and GM Steve Staios during the club's alumni charity golf tournament on Friday.
Batherson has two years left on his contract at a team-friendly average annual value of $5 million. Despite exceeding the 60-point plateau for the third straight year with a career-best 68 points, the 27-year-old right winger recently surfaced in the rumor mill.
A Postmedia report last week claimed there was “no shortage of talk” that the Senators were listening to trade offers for him.
“It's not right,” Andlauer told reporters of the Batherson conjecture.
Added Staios: “There's no truth to that,” adding that he reassured the winger he was not being shopped.
Staios also said the Senators wouldn't be spending to next season's projected $95.5 million salary cap. They have over $15 million of cap space with 16 active roster players under contract. He indicated contract extension talks are underway with pending UFA forward Claude Giroux and RFA Fabian Zetterlund.
Giroux, 37, could get a slight pay reduction from the $6.5-million cap hit he earned in his recent contract. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Zetterlund will seek a raise over his current $1.45 million.
Assuming the pair is signed for a combined $7.5 million, it won't leave much for the Senators to fill out the rest of their roster if they're not going to the cap ceiling this year. Any attempt to bolster the defense or add more scoring could mean a dollar-for-dollar trade.
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