Dallas Stars: Patrick Eaves’ Play Makes Upcoming Decisions More Difficult

Patrick Eaves has had a career year with the Dallas Stars. The only problem is that he is on a one-year contract. Will the Stars bring the grizzled veteran back next year?

The Dallas Stars have had an underwhelming season. They have some incredibly talented forwards, some very skilled, young defensemen and two capable goalies. However, they have proven unable to break their win one, lose one pattern.

It is taking a toll on their chances to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row, something that has not happened in nearly 10 years. That puts the team in a difficult spot, but the play of one player in particular puts the team’s upcoming trade decisions almost more difficult.

Surprise Hero

No one, not even the man himself, could have predicted the season Patrick Eaves would have. He signed a one-year, one million dollar deal on July 1 last year and has not looked back since.

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Neither he nor the Stars knew what a good deal they had made, though. Eaves has made himself into a staple on the roster and he currently leads the team in goals with 19, is third in scoring trailing only Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn and he has been the most productive power play man with 10 tallies.

That all combines for a heck of a showing considering No. 18 was deemed rather lucky to have received the one-year offer from Dallas last offseason.

Overall, Eaves has taken full advantage of his experience as a Star and made the best of his season. He has been constant for the team during a season in which the only thing Dallas could do constantly was be inconsistent.

That is a testament to his skill and dedication to the game. And it is something the Stars will remember when and if they can re-sign him.

Future in Victory Green

That, however, is a big “if.” Eaves is having his best offensive season of his career. He trails his career best goals total by one and has officially made a statement.

While that is all good and well for the Stars in the moment, it creates issues down the line. Eaves’ success on the team this season has certainly caught the attention of teams elsewhere. Attention is important, especially for a 32 year old forward with only a few years left in the league.

Typically, if teams are seeing that a player can produce so highly for one organization, they will be willing to assume the same of their own. That means Eaves could be waiting to test the free agency waters come season’s end and the Stars could miss out on re-signing their surprise player of the year.

Salary Cap Concerns

While his future as a Star remains in the balance, the question really becomes about what Dallas could realistically offer him.

With Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, Jiri Hudler, Ales Hemsky, Lauri Korpikoski and Adam Cracknell also having expiring contracts at the end of the season, Dallas’ future is up in the air. Although it is unlikely the Stars will keep most of the aforementioned players, the possibility of keeping a guy like Sharp or Oduya or Hemsky around has to be entertained.

Not to mention that Seguin will possibly be desiring a new contract for more money, even though his current deal does not expire until 2019. Plus there are up and coming players with new contracts on the horizon like Stephen Johns and Radek Faksa.

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That is a large portion of the current roster and it makes for a challenge for Stars general manager Jim Nill. He has to determine which players to invest in and which to let go. That, therefore, could mean the end of the bearded hero’s tenure with the Stars.