Rapid Rewind: Stars Offseason Grade
The Dallas Stars had expectations of making it to the playoffs last season, and the team accomplished its goal. They lost in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion, St. Louis Blues, in seven games. The team had its success because of the goaltending duo of Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin. The defense also helped out and the Stars allowed only 2.44 goals against per games played, the second fewest in the NHL.
The Stars had a solid team entering free agency, so not much had to be done. The team needed to add some depth scoring since most of the production came from Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov last year. A veteran depth defenseman needed to be added in the offseason. Dallas also needed to figure out which restricted free agents were worth keeping and which weren’t.
FREE AGENCY
It didn’t take the Stars long to be a major player in free agency. The team signed right wing Joe Pavelski to a three-year deal, which should help to bring balance to the top two lines. The addition of Pavelski means that Benn, Seguin and Radulov can either play on the same line or different lines for match up purposes. The Stars have invited veteran forwards Scottie Upshall and Stefan Noesen to training camp. They have extended defenseman Esa Lindell to a new six-year deal. Mattias Janmark will be back on a one-year deal, while Jason Dickinson signed a new two-year contract.
The Stars also signed a few veteran players to low risk, high reward contracts. Corey Perry was bought out by the Anaheim Ducks and signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Stars. Perry is looking to prove that he can still produce at a higher level after a rough season last year. Andrej Sekera’s contract was bought out by the Edmonton Oilers and he also signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Stars. The two veteran players are looking to prove to not only themselves, but the League, that they can still play at a high level.
TRADES
There was only one trade for the Stars this offseason and it was a minor one. The Stars sent Tyler Pitlick to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for right wing Ryan Hartman. Hartman was a restricted free agent when acquired, but the Stars decided not to tender a qualifying offer to him, making him an unrestricted free agent. The trade made sense for the team because they could open up a roster spot for a younger player without having to use another buyout like they did with Valeri Nichushkin.
OVERALL GRADE: B+
The Stars added some scoring depth, improved a good defense, opened up a roster spot and made good use of the cap space that they had. Sure, there are some risks that may not pan out with Perry and Sekera, but they have younger players that can come up and produce, if need be. The one big contract that was given out in free agency was to Pavelski, who signed a three-year, $21 million contract. The Lindell extension was a good one because he is a key part of the defense and is young, mobile and can play solid defense alongside John Klingberg for a few more years.
