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Dallas Stars: Assessing Their Moves On Day One Of Free Agency

By Josh Clark

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 3: Blake Comeau #14 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center on December 3, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 3: Blake Comeau #14 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center on December 3, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – APRIL 14: Valeri Nichushkin #43 of the Dallas Stars handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on April 14, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – APRIL 14: Valeri Nichushkin #43 of the Dallas Stars handles the puck against the Minnesota Wild in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on April 14, 2016 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Valeri Nichushkin

Contract details: Two years, $2.95 million

Though there were rumored signings going on throughout Sunday morning, the first official contract that the Stars got done was for Valeri Nichushkin. His return to the NHL had been rumored for a little over a month and the contract had been known for the past few weeks, but it was made official on July 1.

Nichushkin returns to the Dallas Stars and the NHL after spending the previous two seasons playing in the KHL. Those two seasons followed up the first three seasons of his professional career in the NHL.

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Colorado Avalanche could get Valeri Nichushkin back Friday vs Rangers
Colorado Avalanche could get Valeri Nichushkin back Friday vs Rangers /

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    • And in those first three seasons, Nichushkin was a bit of a wild card, at least for a tenth overall pick. His rookie season was impressive as he tallied 14 goals and 34 points. Sophomore year might as well have been a scratch year for Nichushkin after only playing in eight games due to midseason hip surgery. Finally, 2015-16 turned out to be an average year for no. 43 as he turned to more of a depth role, putting up nine goals and 29 points.

    Following a contract dispute, he decided to return to Russia on a two-year deal. But after two years in the KHL, the 23-year-old is back and ready for another go with the Dallas Stars.

    “We are excited to welcome Val back to the Dallas Stars,” Nill said in the press release. “Over his past two seasons in the KHL and with the national team, he has continued his growth and development as a hockey player. Val was one of his team’s most outstanding players last season. He is a fantastic addition to our depth at forward and we look forward to his return to our club.”

    Nichushkin returns as one of the Stars’ younger forwards and will hopefully bring a more advanced and well-rounded skill set to the lineup.

    “Well, I think it’s going to be the same as when he was here,” Nill said about Nichushkin’s role in a press conference following the team’s moves on day one. “Val’s a top-10 pick in the NHL, played in the NHL when he was 18, and was a very effective player. He missed one full year because of hip surgery and because of that, he probably had a little bit of a frustrating, slow start to the next year. And then, unfortunately, because of contract situation or wanting to go play back home, he did that.

    “But he’s a player. He’s been playing on the Russian national team, which is one of the top teams in the world. We’re getting a better player back and he’s excited to be coming back. He’s 6’4, he can skate, and he’s a bull on the puck. So, we’re looking forward to his addition.”

    I think Nichushkin could end up being the biggest addition of the 2018 offseason. He already had a good mix of skills in his first few seasons with Dallas. One of his biggest weaknesses was carrying and protecting the puck when entering the offensive zone. But if he has fixed that and made some other tweaks to his game, he could be a solid add.

    It was nice for Dallas to get him back and lock in some more scoring depth at forward.

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