Aaron Rome getting buyout from Dallas Stars

Defenseman Aaron Rome was dropped on waivers Monday morning for the purposes of buying out the last year of his contract, according to Bob McKenzie.

It’ll be a compliance buy out, meaning that his $1.5 million hit won’t be on the Dallas Stars’ cap next season. (And meaning that Stars clearly don’t have more regrettable contracts on which to use the “get out of jail free” card on instead of Rome’s.)

Rome appeared in 25 games for the Stars in 2013-14 and another seven down in the AHL. He was previously placed on waivers back in Oct. 2013. He played in one Stanley Cup Playoff game for 8:51. Please remember he’s a defenseman and there’s only five other guys sharing his ice time. Also he was a minus-1.

Rome will be 31 at the start of next season, and GM Jim Nill tells Mark Stepneski that he wanted that roster spot open for one of the team’s AHL defenseman to step into next season. So welcome to the party, Patrik Nemeth.

(Please keep in mind that Rome wasn’t Nill’s signing either.)

Where will he end up? Back in Vancouver? Maybe a return to his first NHL team in Columbus? Oh, wait, what’s that name on the roster … Nathan Horton? Scratch that second idea.

Point is that he's got something left to offer, but Dallas wasn't the right fit anymore. So, NHL team: Rome, if you want to.