Dallas Stars Official 2014 Offseason Thread

[terpsfball09]

Also, I've been wondering about it. Could Ritchie or Ehlers have the same upside as Val? I know they're smaller, but I've been wondering if they somehow fell to us if they could give us the same young punch as Val did this year

 

[terpsfball09]

Not that it wasnt expected, but the Stars are not gonna try and sign Fiddler. I liked him and his time here. I know he wasnt happy for the most part, but he brought passion and chemistry. Hope he finds what he's lookin for

Edit: Also, apparently Ray Whitney wasn't happy in Dallas and didnt like it here. HA. Smell ya.

 

[WilltheThrill]

Not that it wasnt expected, but the Stars are not gonna try and sign Fiddler. I liked him and his time here. I know he wasnt happy for the most part, but he brought passion and chemistry. Hope he finds what he's lookin for

Edit: Also, apparently Ray Whitney wasn't happy in Dallas and didnt like it here. HA. Smell ya.

I'm not sure where you're getting your info on Fiddler from, but all of the latest reports that I've read say that Fiddler likes it in Dallas and that the Stars have interest in bringing him back. The only possible sticking point might be number of years. I read that the Stars plan on letting him test the free agent waters and see what his best offer is, and then decide on whether or not he fits in their long-term plans. I don't doubt you read that somewhere, I just doubt how accurate that is as of right now.

From everything I've read, the Stars haven't made any permanent decisions yet on who will and won't be back and that the closest thing there is to a definite no is Ray Whitney.

What source are you using?

 

[terpsfball09]

defending big d. the guy who runs the forum said it, and apparently he's close to the organization

 

[WilltheThrill]

defending big d. the guy who runs the forum said it, and apparently he's close to the organization

Ahh, I see. With that site, you kind of have to pick and choose what to believe because a lot of speculation is thrown around there, even by Brandon Worley (guy who runs the site you're referring to). He does pick up some inside scoop here and there, but he's also mocked in other circles for exaggerating his connections to the team. He could be spot-on with what you read for all I know though. I just read Mike Heika's latest column that stated that both the Stars and Fiddler are interested in a reunion, just depending on contract length.

I guess I just have a hard time believing that the Stars would have already definitively decided against bringing back someone who played such a big role for them at such a cheap price, especially considering that he's only 33 and liked his role here.

 

[terpsfball09]

Ahh, I see. With that site, you kind of have to pick and choose what to believe because a lot of speculation is thrown around there, even by Brandon Worley (guy who runs the site you're referring to). He does pick up some inside scoop here and there, but he's also mocked in other circles for exaggerating his connections to the team. He could be spot-on with what you read for all I know though. I just read Mike Heika's latest column that stated that both the Stars and Fiddler are interested in a reunion, just depending on contract length.

I guess I just have a hard time believing that the Stars would have already definitively decided against bringing back someone who played such a big role for them at such a cheap price, especially considering that he's only 33 and liked his role here.

I thought fiddler asked for a trade in the middle of last season cuz he DIDNT like his role... which changed post olympic break and maybe even before then, but still

 

[WilltheThrill]

I thought fiddler asked for a trade in the middle of last season cuz he DIDNT like his role... which changed post olympic break and maybe even before then, but still

He was initially upset but by season's end he was relishing his role, especially since his playing time had increased.

 

[terpsfball09]

A little game for ya will. They are obviously considering all possibilities at defending big d right now, so I thought this would be fun.
What are the chances our 2nd line center is:
Eakin?
Kadri?
Kesler?
Statsny?
Backstrom?
Other? (specify)

Who is our new defensemen next year?

Niskanen?
Boyle?
Weber?
Fowler?
Letang?
Ehrhoff?
Other (specify)

I just threw out names I had heard in the mix.

 

[WilltheThrill]

A little game for ya will. They are obviously considering all possibilities at defending big d right now, so I thought this would be fun.
What are the chances our 2nd line center is:
Eakin?
Kadri?
Kesler?
Statsny?
Backstrom?
Other? (specify)

Who is our new defensemen next year?

Niskanen?
Boyle?
Weber?
Fowler?
Letang?
Ehrhoff?
Other (specify)

I just threw out names I had heard in the mix.

2nd line center- out of those choices, either Eakin or Kesler. I think Toronto will ask for too much for Kadri and that Stastny will command too much money for the Stars' liking (some other team, maybe even COL, will overpay). Backstrom is too much of a longshot for him to be my choice. I'll give you two dark horse candidates not on your list: David Legwand and Mikhail Grabovski

Defenseman- This one almost certainly has to come via trade. I don't think Niskanen would be thrilled about coming back here. Fowler is staying put in Anaheim. Boyle likely will ask for too much for a player on the decline. I don't think Nill would be interested in him unless the price was low. I think Letang will probably remain in Pittsburgh despite the rumors. Weber is a severe long shot. So I'll say none of the names you listed. I think Nill is going to do everything he can to trade for a top defenseman, I just don't know which one. Maybe Keith Yandle from Phoenix? It would take a big haul to get him. A dark horse candidate not on your list who would not be a #1 defenseman but is definitely a very underrated and solid #2-3 defenseman: Ron Hainsey.

One other player I would LOVE for the Stars to sign is RW Radim Vrbata. Crafty skilled player who quietly puts up the points every year.


I know it's not very sexy, but if the Stars traded for Kesler, signed Vrbata and Hainsey, found a legit backup goalie (Al Montoya maybe?), and re-signed Eakin, Roussel, and Dillon, I would consider that an amazing offseason.

Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin
Kesler-Vrbata-Sceviour
Eakin-Roussel-Garbutt
Horcoff-Cole-Chiasson
Extra: Ritchie

Daley-Goligoski
Hainsey-Dillon
Nemeth-Benn
Extra: Gonchar

Lehtonen-Montoya

That's a playoff team even without them acquiring a stud #1 defenseman. Of course I'm hoping for even bigger and better acquisitions, but I'm just trying to be realistic. Other teams have cap room too to sign the big name forwards like Gaborik and Stastny and trading for a legit #1 defenseman is incredibly tough because teams hold onto those like gold usually.

 

[terpsfball09]

I'm almost certain our backup goalie is gonna be Campbell next year. Its his time. I'm also sure that we'll find a team to take one of gonchar cole or horcoff. I don't know enough about Hainsey to critique him or not, but I do agree that it isn't necessarily a TOP defensemen that we need. Certainly a top 4 veteran though

Love the name you mentioned in Grabovski. I think him and Backstrom are both available. Washington is trying to clean house, and if we could get a Grabovski or Backstrom that would be great. I think Backstrom is more likely though, because Wash's line of Grabovski-Ward-the new russian guy was by far their most effective line.

 

[terpsfball09]

Also, this was an EXTREMELY interesting and realistic trade offer someone proposed in DBD.

We are at a tricky spot in the draft. Toronto is cleaning house with EVERYTHING, and apparently they have expressed interest in erik cole because he fits the mold of the one nitty gritty veteran they acquire every year. They tried really hard to get him at the deadline but the price wasn't right. Someone proposed this.

Kadri for Our first round pick, Cole, and an average prospect. Cole would unload some salary, we'd get the perfect 2c ( i dont know if there are any more guys out there that fit us more perfectly then him. Young, speedy, gets in trouble areas, agitates, etc) and we'd still have the prospects AND $$$ to acquire a defensmen or what have you.

In other words will, we acquire kadri while UNLOADING salary. That's perfect.

 

[WilltheThrill]

The Kings are destroying the Ducks in Game 7, so at least something in the sports world is going right.

 

[WilltheThrill]

What a great end to an amazing playoffs. Even though the Stars got bounced in Round 1, that was still one of my favorite Stanley Cup Playoffs of all times. Almost every game was incredibly entertaining (especially in the LA-CHI series).

But now the offseason can officially begin.

What I want from the Stars is this:

1) Draft Fiala, Fabbri, or Perlini (sorry Terps, but I think Ritchie and Ehlers will be gone by pick 14).
2a) Trade for a 2nd line Center (Kesler, Spezza, Thornton, Kadri, Lecavalier)
OR
2b) Sign a lesser 2nd line Center in free agency (B Richards, M Richards, Grabovski)
3) Sign a #2-3 type defenseman (Stralman, Fayne, Hainsey)
** Don't realistically see any true #1 d-men available (maybe Phaneuf or Letang, but they both come with big contracts and big question marks).
4) Acquire a backup goalie (Montoya, Dubnyk)
** By all accounts, Jack Campbell needs one more full season in the AHL before he is ready for the NHL

 

[WilltheThrill]

Draft day is finally here! Any of you guys here follow hockey closely enough to watch the draft later tonight?

 

[Justinkm83]

Draft day is finally here! Any of you guys here follow hockey closely enough to watch the draft later tonight?

Who knows any more about Julius Honka? I read he's an offensive-minded defenseman. In fact, everything I'm reading about him is excellent.

 

[WilltheThrill]

Who knows any more about Julius Honka? I read he's an offensive-minded defenseman. In fact, everything I'm reading about him is excellent.

He's got a super high hockey IQ, great skating ability, a nice shot, and he's smooth with the puck on his stick. He was rated as the 2nd best offensive defenseman, plus he's a right-handed shot (something the Stars badly need). The only downside to him is that he's only 5'7" (5'10" with skates) and isn't very physical. He gets compared most to Slava Voynov and occasionally to Sergei Zubov (though that might be stretching it a bit). His ETA for the NHL roster is 2016. He'll move from the WHL to the Finnish Elite League next season, which is a big jump.

He wasn't the guy I was hoping they'd pick, but Jim Nill said that he was their target from day 1, and Nill knows a hell of a lot more than I do, so I trust he'll be a solid player. 6 of their 9 picks were defensemen, so Nill's definitely a believer in building from the blue line out.

 

[terpsfball09]

We got Spezza! Surprisingly light deal on us too. The quantity is eye opening, but the quality of the package we sent is not very good. I've never been very high on chiasson. Great trade. Nill works magic every year once July comes, its like a light switch.

Now we gotta build a line around him! Sign a winger to go with him. Then sign a D man.

I had very high hopes on kadri though.... oh well. Hopefully this is not only one year for his talents. I bet we're working as I type this message to lock him up.

 

[WilltheThrill]

We got Spezza! Surprisingly light deal on us too. The quantity is eye opening, but the quality of the package we sent is not very good. I've never been very high on chiasson. Great trade. Nill works magic every year once July comes, its like a light switch.

Now we gotta build a line around him! Sign a winger to go with him. Then sign a D man.

I had very high hopes on kadri though.... oh well. Hopefully this is not only one year for his talents. I bet we're working as I type this message to lock him up.

They brought his new favorite winger along with him from Ottawa, signing Hemsky to a 3-year deal. Nill just built a 2nd line over the course of 2 hours. Nill is the man.

 

[terpsfball09]

Hopefully we get spezza locked up for a couple more years. I'd like to see a 3 or 4 year extension so he's here the length of time seguin and benn are maturing

 

[WilltheThrill]

Hopefully we get spezza locked up for a couple more years. I'd like to see a 3 or 4 year extension so he's here the length of time seguin and benn are maturing

If you haven't done so already, go to the Stars website and listen to the conference call Spezza gave to the reporters following his trade. You can tell he is genuinely happy to be coming to Dallas, and then he gets told on the call that Hemsky is coming with him, at which point he gets really happy. The Stars already supposedly have a great locker room atmosphere. Add in a winning season and I think Spezza will want to stay provided they give him a solid offer.