Dallas' GM Offers Report on Jake Oettinger & the Cap Problem His Absence Creates

The Dallas Stars lost goaltender Jake Oettinger mid-way through their game against the New York Rangers to a lower-body injury. That loss clearly cost them that game, and it has also presented the Stars with two distinct problems.

GM Jim Nill spoke about those problems today, and the general reaction was not-so positive. Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News reports that - in his presser today - Nill and company will have to wait a week to re-evaluate the severity of Oettinger's ailment. Nill did also confirm that it was a lower-body injury but would not get into the specifics.

The loss of Oettinger for even a week is considerable simply speaking of wins on the board. The man known as 'Otter' has been the Stars' MVP so far - all due respect to the Pavelski/Hintz/Robertson unit. Without Oettinger's stellar net-minding, the Stars could be in deep water.

Simply put; the guy has been an absolute machine in the puck-stopping department.

The other issue is that the team's salary cap will not allow them to recall goaltender Anton Khudobin from the AHL. Khudobin's cap-hit is $2.2 million, yet the team only has about $1 million in space, and a portion of his current contract is buried, according to CapFriendly. So, as of today the only goalie ready and able for the Stars is Scott Wedgewood.

The Stars have two other goalies on contract - both entry-level, and both in the ECHL. They do have another goalie in the system - who happens to be named Matt Murray - but he would need to sign an NHL deal, which would count against their limited cap. Alternatively, should Oettinger miss 10 games or 24 calendar days, he could be placed on LTIR, allowing for Khudobin to be activated. Thus, punting the issue down the line for later.

The Stars currently sit tied with the Winnipeg Jets for first in the Central Division with a record of 5-3-1. If Oettinger does qualify for LTIR, I would be gravely concerned over the fate of this team. They have a strong skater group, fine, but without Oettinger slamming the door shut this team's flaws could be exposed; badly.

Jim Nill is in an unenviable situation, but the savvy veteran likely has a few tricks up his sleeve yet. The real question is: how long until Pete DeBoer throws Otter under the bus like he did with Robin Lehner?

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