The Future is NOW

With the Dallas Stars holding their development camp in McKinney this past week, focus has been on the youth of the organization; the kids that will be the captains and leaders of this team years down the road.  But, what about now?  Make no doubt about it, we live in a "what have you done for me lately," town.  The Cowboys have won one playoff game since the mid-90's.  The contact high (no pun intended...really) from the Rangers' World Series battle against the San Francisco Giants is wearing off.  Well, thank goodness for the Dallas Mavericks who will get to defend their world title next yea...oh.  There's not going to be basketball next year?  Hmmm.  Well, don't look to the Stars for help.  They don't even have an owner.  Or...can you?

Last Friday marked one of the most exciting days the NHL has to offer: Free Agent signing day.  Sure, it could be viewed as a dark day as Brad Richards, after spending 3 years in Dallas, moved on back to the east and signed with the New York Rangers.  This was expected, so how upsetting could it have really been once it became reality?  Well, thank our lucky stars (really, I don't mean for them to come out, they just do) we have a hall of fame general manager who knows what it takes to win.  Well, once Friday rolled around, the Stars were around $10 million short of the CBA mandated payroll floor.  So, with money burning a hole in his pocket, Joe Nieuwendyk set out to fill gaps in a team that missed the playoffs by 13 minutes.

Most notable signing was Boston Bruin right winger, Michael Ryder.  Not only is Ryder off last season's Stanley Cup championship team, but he brings a much needed right shot that's been missing from this team since Richard's arrival.  One thing to look for, however, is his role that he brings to the team.  Coming off the 3rd line with Boston, he's almost assured to make the jump to the first line with captain, Brenden Morrow and LW Mike Riberio, with whom Ryder played with in Montreal and before that, the AHL (Any one care to ask Goligoski how being better utilized helped him in the 2nd half the season). 

From there, Nieuwendyk filled a hole on defense by adding former Edmonton Oiler, Sheldon Souray.  For a bargain (1 year at $1.6 million), the Souray signing is of little risk to the Dallas Stars.  If he is unable to find his game that has been missing for the past couple of years, then for very little money and least amount of time, he won't take up too much space (roster or cap).  However, if a change of scenery is what was needed for Sheldon, and he's able to unload the elephant gun of a shot from the blue line, then this could end up being the deal of the FA period.  Paired up with Goose on the power play, Souray could be a very valuable weapon on the man advantage in creating scoring chances off goalie rebounds and re-directed shots.

Make no doubt that this team's make-up is comprised of very young players.  In addition to the leadership of Ryder and Souray, the Stars shored up the services of veterans Vernon Fiddler, Radek Dvorak and Adam Pardy, who will serve as mentors to the younger players like Vincour, Benn and Tom Wandell.  Not to mention, the additions of Fiddler and ex-Blackhawk, Jake Dowell add an increase to face off wins; another area which has plagued the Stars for several years.

Friday started off very slowly from a Stars perspective.  Then with the signing of Pardy, the buzz around social media sites such as twitter were very drab.  Many of the Stars faithful even responded with, "Adam Who?"  It wasn't until mid-late afternoon when the team landed Ryder and Souray.  As I mentioned yesterday (which was reiterated by a DMN blurb...go me), the Stars are done with free agency.  Will they turn in an offer for Stamkos from Tampa Bay?  I suppose they could, but it probably won't be taken seriously, with the ownership situation and all.  In all honesty, however, I don't see them going after Stamkos.  Remember...13 minutes.  That's how much time was left when Minnesota opened it up in the last regular season game which resulted in Chicago slipping into that 8th spot.  This team is not far.  This team is young (average age is 28.4).  An owner is not far off either.  Look for this team to make a huge addition, however, come trade deadline.  Some had an issue when James Neal was traded to Pittsburgh for Goligoski, but I think even before the end of the season, fans were seeing the genius behind Nieuwendyk's move.  But look for a "fan favorite" to be moved in the spring to bring a "missing link" to a team that WILL be gearing up for a long playoff run.  Perhaps an early entry for the team's tag line for the season: IT'S OUR TURN.

Free Agent Period

With Tomas Kaberle agreeing to a 3-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes, look for the UFA period to pretty much be over this summer.  There aren't any significant names out there that should tickle the Stars' fancy (Stamkos would be great, but with our scouting and young talent, giving up 4 #1s to sign him seems rather steep in my estimation).  Next on the radar is OWNER WATCH. 

I'll make sure to give my thoughts about the FA the Stars picked up this last week later.  Just wanted to let everyone know I didn't get shot into space on a firework.