Dallas Stars Buy Out Ryan Suter
The Dallas Stars opted to buy out Ryan Suter’s contract on Thursday, ending his tenure with the team. Suter, a 19-year NHL veteran, was set to earn $4.3 million in the final year of his contract. According to Jeff Marek of Sportsnet, this buyout will save Dallas $1.4 million.
Despite the buyout, Suter intends to continue his NHL career.
Ryan Suter’s Buyout History
This buyout makes Suter the second NHL player to be bought out twice, following Tony DeAngelo, who was bought out by Philadelphia last summer. Suter joined Dallas in 2021 after the Minnesota Wild bought him out following nine seasons with them. Over his three seasons with the Stars, he played all 82 regular season games each year. His most productive season with Dallas was his first, with his performance and ice time declining in subsequent seasons.
The Dallas Stars are buying out the remainder of Ryan Suter's contract.
With one year remaining on Suter's deal this move will add $1.4 million on the Stars cap for the next two seasons.
The Stars will save $1.4 million with the buyout.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) June 27, 2024
Reasons for the Buyout
Although Suter has had a decorated career, his performance has waned. Once a top-pair defenseman and 10-time Norris Trophy nominee, Suter’s current skills don’t match his peak. However, his high hockey IQ and playmaking ability could still benefit a young team as a mentor. Dallas, on the other hand, may prefer to open up playing time for emerging players and free up cap space for significant offseason moves.
By buying out Ryan Suter, Jim Nill is helping out Pete DeBoer. Having Suter on the roster means having to have him in the lineup no matter what, or risking a ripple effect in the locker room. That’s even more so w/ Joe Pavelski, leader and one of Suter’s best friends, retiring.
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) June 27, 2024
Impact on the Dallas Stars
Suter’s departure affects the Stars both on and off the ice. He was a respected locker room leader. As noted by Saad Yousuf of The Athletic, keeping him might have led to pressure to favor him over newer players. Losing leaders like Suter and Joe Pavelski in one offseason presents a challenge, but their influence on younger players is expected to endure.
Spoke to pending UFA goalie Scott Wedgewood. Says he absolutely wants to stay in Dallas. Believes he earned a bit of a raise after betting on himself with a discounted 2-yr, $2M deal in 2022.
Currently, the number Dallas is offering is lower than he's looking for #Texashockey
— Sam Nestler (@samnestler) June 26, 2024
The buyout provides Dallas more flexibility to retain defenseman Chris Tanev and potentially forward Matt Duchene, who have shown interest in staying with the Stars. Tanev is particularly crucial for the team’s defensive strategy.
With the top defensive pairing of Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell secure, and with Jani Hakanpaa and Derrick Pouliot as unrestricted free agents, the Stars have decisions to make. Thomas Harley and Nils Lundkvist are restricted free agents, while Lian Bichsel is likely to join the lineup after nearly debuting in the Western Conference Final. The Stars may also seek a backup goaltender if Scott Wedgewood’s contract demands exceed what they are willing to offer.
