Who's holding the Dallas Stars back? Matt Dumba, Tyler Seguin, and Ilya Lyubushkin might be their biggest liabilities
The Dallas Stars, following another playoff-conscious season, now face important offseason choices that will determine their competitiveness going forward. With a top-heavy cap situation and dreams of still being contenders, the front office may have to say goodbye to those no longer delivering performance or value to the team.
Names in question: Matt Dumba, Tyler Seguin, and Ilya Lyubushkin.
Matt Dumba, Tyler Seguin, and Ilya Lyubushkin top the list of Dallas Stars players on cutting block
Though all have contributed and brought experience in the past, their recent play and cap considerations may have the Dallas Stars making tough—but-necessary decisions.
Veteran defenseman Matt Dumba was supposed to provide defensive solidity when the Dallas Stars signed him, but his time with the team has been generally disappointing. While a capable blue liner, Matt Dumba's performances have failed to have the desired effect for the Dallas Stars, and his salary may be difficult to justify for the Stars considering their cap outlook going into 2025.
Matt Dumba's puck-handling skill and physical presence are still there, but with younger, cheaper defenseman poised to step up, his roster position is in no way guaranteed. The Stars could think about allowing him to leave or trading him in a move to relieve valuable cap space.
Matt Dumba Discusses Favorite NHL Players Growing Up, All-Time Defenseman & Dallas Stars
Another name that jumps out in this discussion is Ilya Lyubushkin. Picked up to strengthen the blue line depth, Ilya Lyubushkin's play in Dallas didn't impact the defense the way the team had hoped.
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A gritty, stay-at-home-type player, his presence was frequently limited, and in an era of salary caps, that just might not be sufficient. A cap casualty label for Ilya Lyubushkin wouldn't be surprising.
Last but most significantly, there's Tyler Seguin. A former pillar of the Stars' attack, Seguin's goal-scoring has dried up precipitously. The 32-year-old winger still shows glimpses of brilliance, but those glimpses have been too fleeting to support his enormous salary.
With just under $10 million annually against the cap, his return is fast becoming an albatross as Dallas seeks to rebuild around younger, more reliable producers.
Also read:
NHL trade rumor: Three NHL contracts likely headed for a buyout as teams reconsider costly misfires this
The Dallas Stars aren't in rebuild mode—they're still battling it out in a competitive Western Conference—but distancing themselves from underachieving veterans such as Matt Dumba, Tyler Seguin, and Ilya Lyubushkin might be the step they need to take toward a quicker, younger, more energetic roster that can keep pace with the
NHL
's rapid changes.
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