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Stars GM expects to get rid of a goalie next week

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Dallas Stars expect to have one fewer goaltender on their roster come next week.

Following the first-round selection of goalie Jake Oettinger on Friday night, general manager Jim Nill said he expects to rid the club of a player at the position, but wouldn't confirm if that would come via trade or buyout, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

The Stars' goaltender depth chart is quite full at the moment. Back in May, the club acquired Ben Bishop from the Los Angeles Kings before signing him to a six-year contract.

Then on Friday night, the Stars made a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to move up three spots and select Oettinger out of Boston University. Oettnger entered the draft as the top-ranked goaltender in North America, according to NHL Central Scouting.

Nill's claim likely means one of Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi will be moved out. This past season, Niemi and Lehtonen had the second- and fourth-worst save percentages among goalies who played at least 25 games, and the worst and ninth-worst goals-against averages, respectively.

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