The Dallas Stars are buying out the final year of veteran defenseman Ryan Suter’s $3.65 million a year contract, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday.
Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek was the first to report the news.
Suter’s agent, Neil Sheehy, was informed of the decision Wednesday night by Stars general manager Jim Nill. Suter has a no-move clause, so he doesn’t have to be placed on unconditional waivers, and he has told the Stars he’d prefer not to be placed on waivers. He’ll now become an unrestricted free agent ahead of Monday’s opening of free agency.
At 39, Suter wants to continue playing, and there is anticipated interest.
Suter will become the second player in NHL history to have a contract bought out twice. Tony DeAngelo was the other.
On July 13, 2021, the Minnesota Wild bought out the final four years of the contacts of Suter and Zach Parise. Fifteen days later, Suter signed a four-year, $14.6 million deal with the Stars. Parise signed one-year deals two years in a row with the New York Islanders and one this past season with the Colorado Avalanche. Parise is planning to retire.
Suter, 39, scored two goals and 17 points in 82 games last season. He scored 12 goals and 74 points in 246 games for the Stars, who went to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.
(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)