Quoting: dtd_tank
Yeah, I think "rumor" is the right word for that. It seems to be hearsay.
We lost Cholowski (& Staal) on the left side last year, so Leddy (& Staal) replace them. Oesterle is 7/8 dman depth. I'm not sure any of those signings affect DDK other than potentially putting him on the 3rd pair and limiting his minutes.
With Seider (who will make the team) we have 8 defenders. That's one more than what teams normally carry.
There are only two possible (realistic) scenarios:
1. DDK retires (LTIR).
2. Seider stays in Grand Rapids until the trade deadline when Stecher is traded.
Staal can't be waived and sent to GR, he has a NMC.
Leddy sure as hell won't be waived.
Oesterle was signed for two years to be a stabiliser next year in case we lose both Leddy and Stecher at the TDL.
Lindström was first protected and then signed to a one-way contract, he won't be waived.
Stecher won't be waived, he's one of the few trade bait players we have for the TDL.
Hronek won't be waived.
Out of the two possible scenarios the first one where DDK goes on LTIR is by far the most likely.