Dallas Stars: One Potential Free Agent Target at Each Position

The Dallas Stars are only three days away from free agency and they’re looking to improve the roster before next season.

During the annual frenzy on July 1, the Dallas Stars will look to add a few pieces from their wishlist.

The Stars are going to need a new backup goaltender and some depth scoring as well as replace some departing free agents. Most GMs, Nill included, will also give consideration to almost anyone who’s willing to come for the right price and contract length. Trades are always a viable option for filling out the roster, especially if Jim Nill hopes to offload Jason Spezza‘s contract, but free agent signings will dictate trades for the rest of the summer.

Currently, Nill has almost $20 million in cap space to work with, which includes Stephen Johns’ new contract extension. In addition to new free agent signings, he will need to take into consideration the new contracts for the seven restricted free agents that were given qualifying offers. Those new contracts will factor into the amount that he can spend on the free agent market.

If Nill can trade Spezza’s $7.5 million AAV contract, that will cover a significant portion of the rest of the RFA class assuming the Stars don’t take on a high value contract in return. If John Tavares chooses to come to Dallas, that will likely eat up half of the current cap space.

Without knowing what will happen with Tavares and Spezza, it’s difficult to predict what may happen on Sunday, but let’s take a look at one potential target for each position.