Report: Stars won't buy out Spezza with 1 year remaining on contract

The NHL's contract buyout window officially opened Friday morning, and Dallas Stars veteran Jason Spezza was among the players being rumored to be bought out.

However, the Stars will pass on the buyout option and have the 35-year-old center play out the final year of his current contract, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Spezza registered only eight goals and 18 assists across 78 games last season while serving predominantly as the Stars' third-line center. However, he still plays an important role for a Dallas club lacking depth up the middle.

The Stars signed Spezza to a four-year, $30-million deal in 2014 - a contract that has one season remaining at a cap hit of $7.5 million.