The Stars made two final moves Monday, announcing that forwards Colin Blackwell and Arttu Hyry had been loaned to the Texas Stars. Blackwell cleared waivers, and Hyry is waivers exempt.
The Stars will begin the season with 12 forwards and seven defensemen on the roster.
The decision to place Blackwell on waivers Sunday came as somewhat of a surprise given that Blackwell has spent the entirety of the last two seasons on Dallas’ roster. He has appeared in 133 games for Dallas and scored 10 goals, while adding 22 assists.
The Stars knew they’d be in a tight salary cap situation approaching the season and didn’t have enough room for both a 13th forward and seventh defenseman on the roster. They had to choose between placing defenseman Kyle Capobianco on waivers or a depth forward like Blackwell.
The Stars may have felt they had a better chance of Blackwell clearing waivers than Capobianco or another forward.
Blackwell will likely be the first player recalled if the Stars need another forward and will almost certainly spend time on Dallas’ roster this season. But the 33-year-old will begin the season in a new environment.
Hyry was expected to start the year in Cedar Park where he spent most of last season. He also appeared in 20 games for Dallas, recording three goals and two assists.