Blackout Dallas
Fansided

Dallas Stars: Jim Nill’s 5 Worst Free Agent Signings

By Summer LeBel

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Jiri Hudler #22 of the Dallas Stars warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Jiri Hudler #22 of the Dallas Stars warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on March 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Dallas Stars 3-2. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Dallas Stars
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 4: Dan Ellis #30 of the Dallas Stars makes a save during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 4, 2014 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Dan Ellis

Contract: 2 years at $900,00 AAV.
Notable Stats: 14 GP, 11 GS, 5-6-0, .900 SV%, 3.04 GAA.

Dan Ellis was originally drafted by the Dallas Stars in 2000, but he only played one game with the club. After a few years of bouncing around the league, he was signed by Jim Nill during his first free agency as GM. He played back-up to Kari Lehtonen for a while that season before being traded at the deadline for Tim Thomas.

Why This Was a Bad Signing: This signing wasn’t awful, but it just didn’t work out. The Stars have had an issue with backup goaltending for a while and Ellis was another attempt that didn’t work out. He started 11 games during his time with the Stars and his stats were the definition of mediocre.

When the Stars traded Ellis for Thomas at the deadline, they were looking at making the playoffs for the first time in six years. Thomas only ended up playing eight games in the regular season and one playoff game, so even the return from Ellis didn’t really help the team as they were eliminated in the first round.

On the Other Hand: It wasn’t a huge amount of money or term, and that helped Nill when it came to flipping him at the deadline. He served his purpose while he was here, not doing anything amazing but taking a few starts and putting up alright numbers for a back-up. It’s far from one of the worst deals in franchise history, but it was a miss right after Nill’s start.

Home/All Time Stars