This wasn’t how Dallas had planned their roster construction, but when adversity struck, the Stars front office came through in a big way.
All along, the franchise had hoped to avoid placing anyone on long-term injured reserve until the season began — a procedural move that would allow the Stars to utilize their LTIR cap space towards in-season moves, particularly at the trade deadline. Players placed on LTIR are out for a minimum of 24 days and 10 NHL games. That plan went out the window three days into training camp when the Stars were hit with a COVID-19 outbreak in the first week of camp. The initial report had six players and two staff members testing positive for the virus. An NHL statement four days later revealed 17 players in Dallas had tested positive in the two-week testing span beginning Dec. 30. As of Thursday, 13 players remain absent from practice.
In dealing with a roster that currently has Jerad Rosburg as a top-pairing defenseman and…
