Dallas Stars Free Agent Spotlight And Poll: Patrik Nemeth

The Dallas Stars have a total of 18 players on their NHL and AHL rosters that will become some sort of free agent this coming offseason.

With the overstocking of forwards and need for veteran defensemen, it will be interesting to see who Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill re-signs and who he lets go into free agency.

Yesterday, we took a look at eight of the players that spent a good majority of their season with the Dallas Stars in the NHL.

Next: Dallas Stars Free Agents: Breaking Down Possibilities

We examined the current situation of each player and the pros and cons of their argument to be re-signed or let go.

Yesterday we looked at Jamie Oleksiak’s situation and the Stars fans spoke. At the time this article was being written, 52% of Stars fans voted to re-sign and keep Oleksiak, 36% voted to re-sign and him and then use him for trade, and 12% voted to not give him a qualifying offer and let him become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st and move elsewhere.

Next: Read About And VOTE on Jamie Oleksiak's Future

Today, we’ll take a look at RFA defenseman Patrik Nemeth:

Patrik Nemeth was physically unable to have a productive 2014-2015 NHL season. After being severely injured by a laceration in his arm in just the fifth game of the season, his first full rookie year in the NHL took a major detour. Since debuting late in the 2014 season and carrying his debut into the postseason, Nemeth has only played 35 games for Dallas. He’s tallied just three assists and no goals in that span.

Nemeth, 23, though not as aggressive as Oleksiak, is still a threatening player on the ice. Nemeth was scratched once between his return from injury and the end of the season, and cycled around the Stars defense as they tried to end the year on a high note with extra players. His 2014 cap hit sits at $870,000. The Stars could certainly bring him back around the same salary, unless Nemeth is looking for a bigger raise and more ice time.

Patrik Nemeth is a restricted free agent. Restricted free agents work in favor of the team the player services more than anything. More than likely, everything will be settled quickly and easily. But anything could happen. Basically, there are three possibilities:

1. The Stars send a qualifying offer, Nemeth says yes or no

If the Stars extend a qualifying offer to Nemeth based on NHL procedures, he can either accept or deny. Whatever he chooses to do, the Stars will still maintain the negotiating rights. If he accepts, everything is good. Also, if he accepts, the Stars can do anything with him, such as trade him or move him around. If he declines, he can shop in free agency, but will still be restricted.

2. No qualifying offer from the Stars

If the Stars do not send him a qualifying offer at all, Nemeth becomes unrestricted come July 1st and can go anywhere.

3. Nemeth declines qualifying offer, waits for offer sheet

Patrik Nemeth could decline the Stars offer, which would keep him as a restricted free agent. He could go into free agency and wait for an offer sheet from another team. If he accepts the offer sheet, the Stars would have seven days to match the offer. If they did, Nemeth would be a Star for 2015-2016. If the Stars neglect to negotiate in the time period, Nemeth would move on to the team with the offer sheet and the Stars would receive draft picks in return.

Now that we’ve examined each one’s argument and current situation, it’s time to let you, the Stars fan, vote on what you think should be done with Patrik Nemeth. Vote below. Apologies to all using the mobile app that doesn’t support our poll yet. We encourage you to get online or find us on social media and vote!

Next: Dallas Stars Have To Be In Contact With Ottawa About Goalies

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