The Toronto Maple Leafs are screaming into the abyss today. They thought they were going to be able to lure Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill out of Dallas when they let go of Brad Treliving yesterday evening. However, those rumors of Nill leaving Dallas were quickly extinguished when the Dallas Stars announced this morning that Jim Nill signed a two-year extension to remain the architect of the Stars organization. Now, Stars fans can exhale before tonight's game against the Bruins.
Jim Nill has done so much for this franchise that I can't even summarize it all. He's turned the franchise in the right direction by drafting really great talent and allowing them to develop into Cedar Park with the Texas Stars. He's the kind of GM any hockey team in the league would want leading it into the future. I remember I often joke about the Stars creating an AI version of him before he retires from the front office. I don't know how you could replace such a great guy like Nill.
He's a three-time GM of the Year award winner, which means he's respected by his peers in colleges across the league. He's the reason that Wyatt Johnston, Mavrik Bourque, Roope Hintz, Jake Oettinger, and others are on the Stars at this very moment. He's going to be leaving a huge legacy and shoes to fill once he decides to call it quits. Dallas is very lucky to have such a great G, not only a great person but also someone who wants to remain in the Stanley Cup race.
I'm not shocked that Nill is staying in the Lone Star State. Why would he want to have to start all over in Toronto when he has a solid team that could win the Stanley Cup this season? I'm happy I don't have to worry about writing on GM replacements for Dallas anytime soon. Even though I think the Stars would promote Rich Peverley and continue business in Dallas, Nill should put everyone at ease that he's remaining in the metroplex for a couple more years. Here's to two more GM of the Year Awards, Jim.