Stars Daily October 9: Waiver watch with Adam Cracknell

The Dallas Stars put Adam Cracknell on waivers on Sunday.

It’s a move that was made to create some roster flexibility and likely means that Julius Honka will make his season debut against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

The Stars may need another forward before Tuesday. Martin Hanzal is dealing with a lower-body injury, but the Stars wouldn’t want to put him on injured reserve if it’s a short-term injury. If Hanzal was placed on IR, he would have to miss seven days, meaning he would also have to miss Thursday’s game against the Nashville Predators.

The quick fix would have been to send Julius Honka to the AHL. Even though Honka likely wouldn’t play in the AHL during that time, it would open a roster spot since the young defender has been used as the eighth blue liner and as a practice player this season.

That move could have been made after practice today, allowing Honka to get another practice with Rick Wilson and then Dallas could have brought in a forward before Tuesday’s game and officially swapped them back with Honka on Wednesday.

Not making that move means Honka is likely making his season debut Tuesday — Dallas likely wouldn’t risk losing Cracknell if there were a work-around to get a cap-compliant roster on Tuesday.

If Honka plays, Stephen Johns would likely be the healthy scratch. Johns has had tough moments through the first two games, particularly on goals against where he’s looked out of position or misplayed passing situations.

So what about Cracknell? Will he clear waivers?

At first glance you’d think so. Curtis McKenzie cleared waivers last week, he’s a similar player to Cracknell but is a bit younger and in the prime of his career.

But what about the New York Rangers? Could they be interested in the forward?

Cracknell has an affordable contract at $675,000 this season — just above league minimum — and the Rangers have an open roster spot according to CapFriendly with roughly $1.5 million in cap space.

The Rangers are also still making a decision on whether 18-year-old Filip Chytil will stick with the NHL club this season.

Through two games, Chytil has just 20 shifts and is averaging six minutes of ice time. It might be better to have Chytil return to his SHL club and play big minutes as a top-line forward rather than grind it out in the NHL.

Especially when that’s a role that Cracknell could easily step into as a forward or winger in New York.

You also have to remember Lindy Ruff is an assistant coach in New York. Cracknell was one of Ruff’s favorite players last season, and his hard work impressed Ruff. If Rangers GM Jeff Gorton wanted a full scouting report on Cracknell before making a waiver claim, the former Dallas head coach could easily being the deciding factor on Cracknell’s fate.

It’s something to keep an eye on. Cracknell has until 11 a.m. (Noon ET) to clear.

Today’s Schedule

The Stars practice at 10:30 a.m. in Frisco. It is open to the public.