from Josh Lile of the Dallas Morning News,

Trading for Erik Karlsson is a complicated process made even more complicated by the Ottawa Senators insisting that teams take winger Bobby Ryan as part of a deal. This has been a persistent theme since the trade deadline when the Vegas Golden Knights almost acquired the duo. As far as I've heard the Stars aren't taking Bobby Ryan back despite that likely being the easiest path to completing a deal, and they have good reasons not to want any part of Ryan.

But, they should strongly consider taking Ryan back if that's what it takes to get Karlsson....

Ryan is due $7,500,000 in each of the remaining four years of his contract, which is why the Senators want to attach him to an Erik Karlsson deal. Ottawa paid a $2,000,000 signing bonus on Sunday, and he's due one every July 1st for the remainder of his deal. The price tag is hefty, particularly given what he brings production wise, but he isn't an awful player. The Stars could get some use out of him, and perhaps even revive him with better linemates with a chance of moving him next offseason.

Adding Ryan with Karlsson would push the Stars about $4,100,000 over the salary cap assuming Mattias Janmark signs, and closer to five million over with a 14th forward added to the roster. The Stars could then move Spezza to get back under the cap, but that opens up another hole at center. Martin Hanzal on long term injured reserve is an option if he isn't healthy enough to play, but even that barely would give the Stars enough room.

A more likely and reasonable option is asking Ottawa to retain some of the salary owed to Ryan.

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