A once-promising career in Dallas has now run its course.
The Stars placed former first-round pick Valeri Nichushkin on waivers Saturday morning for the purpose of buying out his contract. Nichushkin finished last season with zero goals and carried a $2.95 million cap hit for the final year of his contract next season. Saturday's move allows the Stars to clear $2.25 million in cap space next season while adding $450,000 against the cap in 2020-21.
The NHL's first buyout window opened June 15 and will close Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.
In the short term, Nichushkin's buyout will allow the Stars more freedom to pursue top-six forwards on the free-agent market.