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Dallas Stars Free Agency: Who Was Biggest Offseason Pickup

By Josh Clark |

The Dallas Stars are nearing the end of another eventful and overall successful offseason.

Since taking over the team in April of 2013, general manager Jim Nill has preached the “win now” motive and has built the new Stars club around this idea. He has not encountered an offseason without making a “blockbuster” trade since assuming the role of GM.

In the 2013 offseason, Nill traded away longtime Star Loui Eriksson along with three prospects in exchange for Tyler Seguin of the Boston Bruins in a seven-player trade. Two years later, Seguin alone is close to tying all four of the former Stars’ point totals as members of the Bruins.

On July 1st, 2014, Nill was in search of a quality and capable second-line center to help round to the Stars offense. He ended up trading away Alex Chiasson, two prospects and a draft pick to the Ottawa Senators for Jason Spezza and a prospect. Spezza ended up being a 62-point player and finishing third on the team for total points, trailing only Art Ross Trophy winner Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.

This past offseason may have been the most influential of Jim Nill’s tenure. After making a trade for San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi on June 27th, it seemed as though the Stars were done in terms of searching for improvement by means of free agency or trade.

But that wasn’t the case. On July 10th, the Dallas Stars made headlines again after finalizing a blockbuster trade with the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The Stars traded away D Trevor Daley and F Ryan Garbutt in exchange for F Patrick Sharp and D Stephen Johns.

Just five days later, the Stars were back at it when they signed UFA D Johnny Oduya, who is coming off of a Stanley Cup Championship with the Blackhawks as well.

So now that the Dallas Stars have improved in the offensive, defensive, and goaltending arsenals, there is a lingering question. Which move made by Jim Nill will benefit the Stars the most in the upcoming season?

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Antti Niemi is a proven starter at the age of 31 with one Cup already under his belt. The addition of the Finnish goaltender gives the Dallas Stars a two-headed, starting-caliber goalie approach that not many teams can boast. With a career save percentage of .916, he could be the player that fixes the Stars main problem from 2015 and officially solidify the crease.

Patrick Sharp is obviously a leader and winner. With three Stanley Cups already in his tracks, the 33-year old forward is a lethal weapon for any offense. His presence in the top six on offense and his explosive nature on the power play make him a valuable asset. The Stars had the second best offense in the league last season, and the addition of Sharp should most assuredly push them over the first place mark, while building up the efficiency on the man advantage.

Stephen Johns is still on the prospect level, but is considered to be NHL-ready. As a right-handed defenseman standing at 6-4 with an enforcing forecheck, he is a rare breed among the current stature of NHL players and prospects. With the immense stock of NHL-ready defensemen the Stars currently possess, he may not be a full-time starter this coming year. But one thing is for sure: he will be an impacting force once he moves up.

Johnny Oduya was the latest addition, and may end up being the biggest. After losing the services of longtime Star Trevor Daley, the Stars blue line was lacking veteran presence. Alex Goligoski was the oldest member with eight years of experience. Oduya is entering his tenth season in the league, and has been through his fair share of moving between teams. He is a primed stay-at-home defenseman with two Stanley Cups. His leadership and skill could be just what the Stars defense needs to officially put the struggling 2014-2015 season behind them and take the next step to becoming an elite force.

So, with all of the talent acquired over the last month and a half, it’s your turn to cast your vote. Out of these four players, which one do you think will be the most influential in the Dallas Stars upcoming season?

Have your voice heard below by choosing a player! Apologies to everyone using the mobile app, as it does not support our polls yet. But we encourage you to go online or find us on Twitter or Facebook and cast your vote there!

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