Dallas Stars Sign Depth Forwards Tyler Pitlick, Brian Flynn

The free agency frenzy started at 11 a.m. and the Dallas Stars immediately went after signing forwards that will provide depth, including Tyler Pitlick and Brian Flynn. Where will these two fit in the scheme?

It wasn’t exactly the start to the free agency period that Dallas Stars fans were expecting, but it was a start nonetheless.

Just a few minutes after the free agency market opened up on Saturday morning, the Stars hit the ground running by signing young RW Tyler Pitlick. No, not Alexander Radulov or Justin Williams; just 25-year-old Tyler Pitlick.

Then after re-signing defenseman Patrik Nemeth to a one-year deal and making unexpected waves by signing big-bodied veteran forward Martin Hanzal, Dallas added another RW in Brian Flynn.

All of these names had not been linked to the Dallas Stars as potential options before this morning, but that’s regular for a guy like Stars general manager Jim Nill. He loves to do his work in the shadows where no one expects it, and that’s a good strength to have when it comes to a competitive time like the NHL Free Agency Period.

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But neither of these players were necessarily at the top of any team’s list, and that’s because they are depth forwards.

Pitlick has only played 58 NHL games through three seasons with the Oilers, scoring 11 goals and tallying 14 points. He’s a former second-round pick in the 2010 draft and could still offer plenty of skill at the age of 25. It was difficult for Pitlick to work his way into the Oilers lineup on a consistent basis considering their stock of young talent, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he can still contribute.

Flynn, on the other hand, has played 275 NHL games across five seasons split between the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. In that span, he has 27 goals and 61 points while skating an average of 13:34 each game.

Pitlick signed a three-year deal worth $3 million ($1 million AAV) with Dallas, meaning that they expect him to be a rather sizable piece of the franchise going forward. Flynn, on the other hand, signed a one-year, two-way contract, meaning he will be paid two different salaries depending on whether he plays in the NHL or AHL. In other words, Dallas could be planning on making him a cornerstone piece in the AHL this season.

The Stars needed two skilled right wingers who could play in the top six next season going into today’s frenzy. Neither of these wingers will be able to fill that void (at least not yet), but that doesn’t mean they cannot help out with depth presence in the bottom six. And with their presence, that might signal that Dallas is ready to try out one of their regular young guns in the top six (Ritchie, Shore).

Next: What All Could Stars Do On First Day Of Free Agency?

But that is still up in the air. These were two quality signings at excellent values that give the Stars more depth at the forward position (specifically on the right wing).

What ever will Nill get the Dallas Stars into next?