Dallas Stars Free Agency Changes: Good, Bad and Ugly
The Dallas Stars have seen some interesting moves from their former players in terms of free agency. Which ones have worked well and which ones will end up hurting the team?
Free agency is the time to make changes to the roster and that’s exactly what Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill has done. While some may argue otherwise, he’s had a rather successful time in Dallas and the season ahead should be bright.
As with any job, though, mistakes have been made. Nill’s overall sparkling record as GM for the Stars has a few questionable moves, especially in recent months.
The Good
Vernon Fiddler to New Jersey
As loved of a player as No. 38 was in his time in Dallas, it was time for the two to part ways. He played a total of five seasons with the Stars, playing in a multitude of different situations.
He was a staple on the penalty kill and his offensive production was timely. Vernon Fiddler was a beloved veteran in the locker room, but with all of the young forwards in Dallas’ system it wouldn’t have made sense to keep the 36-year-old.
With that, Fiddler signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
The Bad
Colton Sceviour to Florida
Colton Sceviour was drafted 112th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars and after a few years of development with the Texas Stars, found himself in Dallas. He played 170 games over the course of five years, including 70-plus games over the last two seasons, with the Dallas Stars.
As an original pick of the Stars, it was nice to see No. 22 develop into the player he is today. The 27-year-old learned Dallas’ system and made a name for himself in the organization. His success story is inspiring to young Stars forwards in the system and is something they can also hope to achieve in the future.
Unfortunately, the Stars are just not in the position to keep forwards around unless they are excelling. Sceviour had a few good outings with the Dallas Stars and was no doubt a player who contributed on the ice, but with the younger, less expensive players in Cedar Park available, keeping him would have had to be under the right terms.
Those were, obviously, not met and he moved on. Next season the Stars will see him on New Year’s Eve as he signed a two-year, $1.9 million contract with the Florida Panthers. He won’t be alone, though, as Jason Demers also inked a new deal with the Panthers for four years at $4.5 million a season.
The Ugly
Kris Russell for Jyrki Jokipakka
As of the moment this article is being written, defenseman Kris Russell hasn’t found a new team to call home, nor has he come to terms on a new deal in Dallas. Jim Nill, however, has signed eight defenders and seemingly filled the Stars’ needs on the back end.
Russell was acquired via trade with the Calgary back at the trade deadline for young defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka and a draft pick. Not only was Jokipakka a bright young prospect-turned-NHL mainstay, he was developing rather nicely in the Stars’ system.
Jokipakka could have been a great piece to use in a trade to acquire a new goaltender or for a more long-term player, but instead was utilized for a rental defenseman that the Stars have been unable to come to terms with.
Hindsight is 20-20, but there’s no questioning that this trade, especially if Russell goes to another team, was a blemish on Nill’s tenure with the Dallas Stars thus far.
Next: Dan Hamhuis is Just What the Stars Need
Overall
Jim Nill has been arguably the best thing to happen to the Dallas Stars since Jamie Benn and his decisions are tough. There are going to be mistakes made along the way, but fans have to be optimistic that they’re all necessary to hoist another Stanley Cup.