The Dallas Stars are doing their best to keep goaltender Rémi Poirier sharp in a difficult situation.
According to DLLS Sports’ Owen Newkirk, the Stars recently had their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, reassign one of their goaltenders to the ECHL, likely freeing up a spot for Poirier to head to the AHL. However, Poirier won’t be departing the NHL as a regular demotion, as that would require him to go back on waivers. Instead, he’ll head down for a “conditioning loan.”
In doing so, the Stars get Poirier playing time — his first of the 2026-27 season — for the 14 days he is allowed to spend in the AHL without risking the Washington Capitals reclaiming him. If the Stars waive him and the Caps are the only team to file a claim, Washington could send Poirier directly to the Hershey Bears.
While in the AHL on loan, Poirier will still count against Dallas’ 23-man roster limit and the salary cap. Despite being on a two-way contract that pays him only $135k in the AHL, Poirier will still be paid as if he were in the NHL ($850k). He also has to consent to the loan before Dallas can send him down.
Gary Bettman, the NHL’s commissioner, has final say on conditioning loans and can deny them if he believes there is no legitimate basis. Poirier, who has spent time with three different organizations this season, has yet to play in a game at any level. That comes after he made a career-high 52 AHL appearances with the Stars last year.
Once Poirier completes his loan, he will be forced back up onto Dallas’ NHL roster, where they are still carrying goalies Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith. The 25-year-old backstop was originally claimed off waivers by the Devils from the Stars in late September, and then traded to the Capitals for a seventh-round draft pick on November 1.
After spending eight days with Washington, the Capitals tried to sneak him through waivers to Hershey, but the Stars claimed him back.
