Shawn Horcoff’s time as a Dallas Star is over.
Horcoff, acquired via trade from Edmonton in the summer of 2013, won’t be given an extension and will head to free agency on July 1, Stars GM Jim Nill confirmed.
“I’ve known Shawn for some time, and I know he wants to have a big role in the team, and that probably wasn’t possible here,” Nill told the Dallas Morning-News. “We’re moving toward a younger lineup, and I know Shawn will find the right fit on another team.”
The 36-year-old -- who just wrapped a six-year, $33 million deal -- had something of a bounce-back campaign in Dallas this year, scoring 11 goals and 29 points (his highest since the ’11-12 season in Edmonton).
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of interest he garners on the open market; for the last six years, Horcoff’s always been tied to his onerous contract (and cap hit, at $5.5M per). He could, however, now be an inexpensive veteran pickup for a team looking for depth down the middle next season.