The Dallas Stars filed paperwork declaring Tyler Seguin out for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs, league sources told The Athletic on Friday. The move will free up an additional $6-million in cap space ahead of next week’s trade deadline, once the transaction is approved by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association.
Confirming via source that Tyler Seguin not expected back this year, including playoffs. Tough blow. NHL/NHLPA still have to sign off on paperwork.
But also worth clarifying the Stars were already using $3.8M of his cap hit with other players injured. Also hearing that Rantanen…— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 27, 2026
Seguin underwent ACL surgery on his right knee in early December. The possibility of him working his way back into playing shape at some point during the 2025-26 season was officially ruled out this week.
Due to recent changes in the collective bargaining agreement, filing paperwork with the league is a new step teams must now take if injured players are to be ruled out for the remainder of the season. The Vegas Golden Knights did something similar with defenseman Alex Pietrangelo earlier this season.
Under the new rules, the Stars were only able to replace Seguin’s full $9.85 million cap hit in the event he was declared out for the entire season. That required him to be moved to season-ending LTI, which must be approved by the NHL and NHLPA, and is irreversible. Had Seguin remained eligible to return during the postseason, Dallas would only have been able to spend an amount equal to last season’s average salary on a replacement, which is $3.82 million.
Getting the additional $6 million in cap space is significant for Stars GM Jim Nill as he scours the market ahead of next Friday’s NHL trade deadline. Dallas is currently weathering multiple injuries, including a lower-body issue Mikko Rantanen suffered during the recent Milan Olympics, which is expected to keep him out more than two weeks.
Fresh off three straight trips to the Western Conference final, they need to find a way through two other Central Division heavyweights in the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild to go on another lengthy playoff run this spring.
Nill has been an aggressive shopper at recent trade deadlines and is currently gauging the market for an upgrade on both his forward and defensive corps. The Stars are believed to be prioritizing available players on expiring deals because of big contractual decisions on the horizon this summer.
As for Seguin, this marks the second straight season in which the 34-year-old has been sidelined with a significant injury. He was able to return in time for last year’s playoffs following hip surgery, but won’t be so fortunate this time around.
The challenge now facing the Stars’ front office is spending the extra cap space his extended absence will afford them wisely.