Top five signings and trades of the Dallas Stars Jim Nill era

As I’m sure you heard on Monday, the Dallas Stars decided to extend General Manager Jim Nill’s contract through the 2025-26 season. In his time as the longest-tenured GM in Dallas Stars history, Nill has really shaped the Stars in the last couple of seasons for the long haul. Signings like the Roope Hintz and Jake Oettinger extensions had NHL Reporters giving him huge kudos after they were announced. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest trades and signings during the Nill era in no significant order.

Biggest Jim Nill Trades Or Signings: 5. Resigning Jake Oettinger to a three-year bridge contract

Probably one of the biggest recent signings was the Jake Oettinger three-year bridge contract that Oettinger signed last offseason. After coming up from Cedar Park and literally stealing the job out of Anton Khudobin’s hands, Oettinger has cemented himself as a franchise goalie.

We probably could have won the Stanley Cup last season if he didn’t have to almost play the entire season. Jim Nill was smart to re-sign Oettinger because he is one of the best young goalies in the game right now. If he didn’t re-sign him, there were about to be 31 teams dialing his agent for a massive contract. I’m glad Nill will be around when it’s time for Oettinger’s massive payday.

Biggest Jim Nill Trades Or Signings: 5. Resigning Jason Robertson to a four-year bridge deal

I think this is an even more massive signing than the Oettinger one. Jason Robertson is one of the top players in the league today and he showed it last season. I’m glad Jim Nill was able to walk Robertson off the ledge and get him to sign a hefty bridge contract for the next four seasons.

Jason Robertson finished the season breaking the record for most points scored by a Dallas Star in one season passing Mike Modano. After posting 46 goals and 63 assists during the 2022-23 season, Robertson is poised to continue to torment opponent’s goalies for years to come. Once again Jim Nill makes a nice investment in the Stars’ future.

Biggest Jim Nill Trades Or Signings: 3. Roope Hintz’s eight-year extension

This one was a no-brainer as he is one of the best two-way forwards in the game right now. Roope Hintz signed a massive eight-year deal to remain with the Stars through 2031. The reason why Jim Nill looks like a genius on this one is due to signing him below what he’s worth.

If you have seen some of the recent signings around the league for top forwards, teams are overpaying them right now. In a couple of seasons when those overpaid forwards start to drop in production, Nill is going to look like a genius.

Biggest Jim Nill Trades Or Signings: 2. Max Domi trade

The second biggest trade that Jim Nill pulled off as a GM was last season when he made the blockbuster deal for Max Domi. Nill was able to convince the Blackhawks to take on Khudobin’s expiring contract of three million dollars and we got an aggressive Center in Domi for the remainder of the season. This trade alone probably helped Nill secure the GM of the Year award which was awarded to him at the NHL draft in July.

Biggest Jim Nill Trades Or Signings: 1. Tyler Seguin trade

I knew we had a GM in Jim Nill when he joined the Stars and pulled off his first blockbuster and best trade during his era as the Star’s GM. Getting Tyler Seguin proved to be pivotal as he provided a huge building block for this franchise for the last decade.

Seguin’s ability to score has helped the Stars be in playoff contention over the years. Jim Nill wanted to leave a mark on this franchise and he sure did with this trade right out of the gate after becoming GM of the Stars.