The Dallas Stars made some interesting news on Friday, providing fans with a Tyler Seguin injury update. Unfortunately, the update wasn’t exactly what most fans would have wanted to hear.
Some News from Big-D on a Friday
As initially reported by insider Elliotte Friedman, the Stars placed Seguin on season-ending long-term injured reserve. That situation means that the 34-year-old will not be back this season. The move includes the regular season and playoffs.
There is word Dallas filed paperwork declaring Tyler Seguin out for the rest of the regular season & playoffs.
By doing this, Stars get full cap relief heading into trade deadline.
Feel for Seguin, who underwent surgery for a torn ACL. Wanted to return, but couldn’t.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 27, 2026
It was a tough blow for both the Stars and Seguin. The former second-overall pick from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft sustained a knee injury in early December. The prognosis revealed that he had a torn ligament.
An initial Seguin injury update suggested he could return at some point towards the end of the regular season or perhaps the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Stars moved him to regular long-term injured reserve, there was some hope he might come back. Now, it’s evident that Seguin will not be back until next fall.
Seguin Injury Update Provides Stars with Cap Space
The good news, if there’s any, is that the Stars now have the full available cap space allotted to use at this year’s trade deadline.
Following the latest Seguin injury update, the Stars now have about $1.4 million in cap space at the moment. It’s worth pointing out that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement limits LTIR money to $3.8 million per contract. PuckPedia reports the Stars currently have $3.6 million in LTIR money. So, the increment could be relatively negligible.
Stars to Have Plenty of Playoff Cap Space
Where things get really interesting in the projected playoff cap space. According to PuckPedia, the Stars could have over $34 million in playoff cap space.
That means that the latest Seguin injury update opens the door for the Stars to go big-game hunting. The problem would be fitting additional contracts under the cap during the regular season.
With the playoff cap in place this season, some teams, like the Stars, could get a boost. That’s why general manager Jim Nill will have to get creative in fitting contracts under the cap long enough to utilize the playoff cap space.
This Seguin injury update could be followed by others, such as Mikko Rantanen, who might get shut down for the remainder of the regular season to free up cap space for future additions.
Then, the available playoff cap space could give the Stars a chance to dress a healthy lineup, including NHL trade deadline acquisitions.
It will be interesting to see what moves the Stars can come up with heading into the deadline. Various rumors surround the club, including additions up front and on the blueline.
Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
