We’re just mere days away from the start of NHL free agency on July 13. The NHL rumours are flying and teams need to how much money they have to spend on players. We’ve already seen players like Duncan Keith retire from the Edmonton Oilers. Now a Dallas Stars goalie is facing an uncertain future. Could a Braden Holtby retirement be imminent? This is according to the DailyFaceOff’s Frank Seravalli.
His report added that Holtby is likely out for the 2022-23 season and his career could be in jeopardy.
Frank Seravalli on DFO Rundown yesterday – “Braden Holtby, unlikely to play next season. His career may be over.”
Holtby was placed on LTIR by Dallas in March with a lower-body injury.
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) July 9, 2022
Braden Holtby Retirement On Horizon?
The Stanley Cup-winning goalie with the Washington Capitals has been on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Dallas’ veteran goalie has been out since March, but that allowed Jake Oettinger to take control of the crease. Holtby was on a one-year deal worth $2 million to give a veteran option for the Stars. However, Oettinger has clearly become the clear number one.
The Lloydminster, Saskatchewan native went 10-10-1 with a 2.78 goals-against-average. Holtby also posted a .913 save percentage in his only season with the Lone Star State. He’s also played for the Vancouver Canucks as well as the Capitals and Stars.
What It Means
It seems that Dallas has become a veteran goalie graveyard with Holbty and Ben Bishop suffering career-altering injuries. Anton Khudobin‘s play struggled after that deep run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. Oettinger’s play helped the Stars get into this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and force the Calgary Flames to a Game 7 in the first round.
This will take $2 million off the books and general manager Jim Nill can focus some or all of that money on a new deal for Oettinger. The young goalie is a restricted free agent and will look to get a raise from his $925,000 entry-level deal.
The Stars recently signed Scott Wedgewood to a two-year deal with an AAV of $1,000,000. Wedgewood will likely be the backup and if Khidobin remains in the AHL, he would be their third-string option.
The Dallas Stars also recognized Braden Holtby today for playing in his 500th NHL game in late November.
(468 of those games were with WSH) pic.twitter.com/tIMEMDH8l6
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 28, 2022
