Dallas Stars Stash Matt Duchene on LTIR, Unlock Cap Space for Call-Ups
The Dallas Stars placed veteran forward Matt Duchene on Long-Term Injured Reserve, freeing up $3.67 million in cap space to call up Arttu Hyry and Colin Blackwell.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 1 min read
Finding live odds…
The NHL salary cap is less of a hard rule and more of a suggestion if you know which levers to pull. The Dallas Stars just pulled a big one.
According to PuckPedia, Dallas officially placed veteran forward Matt Duchene on Long-Term Injured Reserve. That paperwork shuffle allows the Stars to exceed the cap by $3.67 million.
"PuckPedia reported the Stars now have $2.25M of space remaining in LTIR after the call-ups."
They didn't waste any time spending the new allowance. Dallas immediately called up Arttu Hyry and Colin Blackwell to fill out the roster.
LTIR is the magic wand of modern hockey management. It turns a frustrating injury into a financial loophole. Duchene hitting the shelf is a tough blow for the on-ice product, but the front office just bought themselves enough cap space to actually field a complete lineup without having to pay in couch change.
Even after bringing up Hyry and Blackwell, the Stars are sitting on $2.25 million in remaining LTIR space. For context, that is enough flexibility to add a solid depth piece or just survive the inevitable next wave of bumps and bruises.
Dallas will roll out this adjusted roster when they host the St. Louis Blues on October 3. Bettors looking at the Stars' upcoming slate against the Blues and Nashville Predators should factor in Duchene's absence, but the front office just made sure the depth chart won't completely crater in the meantime.
Key stats
Key stats$3.67 million in cap relief from Duchene's LTIR placement
$2.25 million in remaining LTIR space
2 roster call-ups: Arttu Hyry and Colin Blackwell
What's next
Dallas will test their newly adjusted lineup against the St. Louis Blues on October 3, while keeping an eye on that $2.25 million in remaining cap flexibility.
