As most of you know, apart from blogging about the Flyers for HockeyBuzz, I am also the Dallas Stars blogger. Several folks have asked me about whether I think the Flyers should consider signing or trading to acquire various players from Dallas, so I thought I would address them en masse here.
First, the key background information: Dallas has narrowly missed out on making the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and, with new ownership in place, the club may for the first time in years be active players in the free agent market.
The team has $26.33 million worth of cap space available and, while they won't get near the ceiling, do not be surprised if owner Tom Gaglardi gives general manager Joe Nieuwendyk the green light to spend a big chunk of the money as part of the team's ongoing efforts to rebuild its once-solid ticket base.
However, one of the issues the Stars have to deal with this off-season is sorting through a plethora of their own free agents. The club has 12 free agents -- 7 restricted, 5 unrestricted -- among the roster players who finished the 2011-12 season with the club.
Most prominent among Dallas' restricted free agents is All-Star forward Jamie Benn, whom the club intends to lock up in a long-term contract. When the deal is eventually reached, it will significantly raise his cap hit from his current $821,667 entry-level contract to something that potentially could end up being in the neighborhood of the deal James van Riemsdyk received (6 years, $4.25 million cap hit) in his contract extension with the Flyers.
Among the Stars' other RFAs at the NHL level, modest raises are due to hard-hitting defenseman Mark Fistric (currently making $1 million), promising young puck-moving defenseman Philip Larsen ($850,000), speedy penalty killing forward Tom Wandell ($775,000) and young backup goaltender Richard Bachman ($550,000).
The club's group of unrestricted free agents this summer is led by veteran defenseman Sheldon Souray and checking/agitating forward Adam Burish. Also hitting the UFA market are third-line winger Radek Dvorak, fourth line swingman forward Toby Petersen and hard-nosed fourth line center Jake Dowell.
Dallas also has four key veteran players who are one season away from unrestricted free agency: starting goaltender Kari Lehtonen ($3.55 million), playmaking center Mike Ribeiro ($5 million), resurgent scoring winger Michael Ryder ($3.5 million) and team captain Brenden Morrow ($4.1 million).
The biggest strength of the Stars' farm system is the volume of defensemen with varying degrees of NHL upside, led by hulking Jamie Oleksiak (the club's 2011 first-round pick), 21-year-old Brenden Dillon, Swedish defenseman Patrik Nemeth (a 2010 second-round pick who is a virtual clone of Nicklas Grossmann in his frame and playing style) and puck-moving John Klingberg. Also around for some NHL spot duty is AHL offensive defenseman Jordie Benn (Jamie's brother).
The influx of promising defensemen into the system contributed to the Stars' decision to deal then-impending free agent Grossmann to the Flyers this February in exchange for LA's 2012 second-round draft pick and Minnesota's 2012. Grossmann, of course, subsequently signed a contract extension with the Flyers.
Now for the Flyers-related perspective on the key Dallas UFAs and impeding UFAs. I do not think the Flyers would have interest in Dvorak, Dowell or Petersen.
Sheldon Souray: Souray has said that he'd like to re-sign with the Stars and Dallas has expressed some interest in bringing back the soon-to-be 36-year-old for at least one more year. This past season, he took a discount one-year deal ($1.65 million) in order to get another shot at the NHL after being exiled to the AHL by Edmonton. Souray got off to a tremendous start -- both offensively and defensively -- this past year. However, he missed considerable time with a pair of foot injuries. His offensive game vanished after the hot start and he had big-time mobility problems trying to play through the foot problem late in the season.
Pros: Huge point shot (two-time 20+ goal scorer in the NHL), mean streak, 700-plus games of NHL experience.
Cons: Aging, slow afoot, prone to bad penalties, prone to getting out of position, often prone to injuries.
Verdict: I think he stays in Dallas. Possible trade-deadline rental if Stars are in seller mode.
Adam Burish: The Stars have had a markedly better record with Burish in the lineup over the last two seasons than without him. The 29-year-old does a little bit of everything except scoring goals. He is a pest to play against. Burish made $1.15 million on his expiring contract.
Pros: Good on faceoffs, versatility to play any forward position and move around the lineup, good forechecker and penalty killer, agitator who adds a little secondary toughness to lineup, very well-liked in locker room.
Cons: Injury prone, struggles to finish scoring chances.
Verdict: I think he'll end up staying in Dallas or returning to Chicago. The Flyers have a similar player -- who is a little better offensively -- in Max Talbot. While Burish isn't a little guy (6-0, 190), I think the Flyers would prefer to add a bigger body to their checking line. However, if Burish were to come to Philly, I think he'd do a real solid job on the fourth line. I can say for certain that he'd quickly become a fan favorite and a go-to source for the local media as well. The University of Wisconsin grad is a bright, personable guy with a tremendous sense of humor and an honest read on his team.
Brenden Morrow: The 33-year-old Stars captain had a strong season in 2010-11 but dealt with a variety of upper body ailments -- neck, upper back, shoulders -- and was quite ineffective this past season. He has spent his entire career with the Dallas organization but it increasingly looks like he may have to move on elsewhere in the near future. He is entering the final year of his six-year contract at a $4.1 million cap hit. He has a no-trade clause in his contract.
Pros: Scores gritty goals, plays a physical style, tremendous work ethic and character.
Cons: Has reached a dangerous age for power forwards, health concerns, takes frequent bad penalties of the offensive zone or of the retaliatory variety.
Verdict: Depending on his health, Morrow would still be a valuable addition for any contending team -- including his current one, because he missed 25 games this past season and was clearing ailing even when he did suit up. He has assets the Flyers could use, but I don't see a trade fit right now.
Mike Ribeiro: I expect Ek to post lots of Ribeiro trade rumors throughout the season, unless the 32-year-old signs an extension with the Stars before he hits free agency next summer. The 32-year-old makes $5 million on his current contract.
Pros: Excellent playmaker, outstanding on shootouts. His passing game played a major part in Ryder's big season for the Stars this season.
Cons: Reluctant to shoot the puck, streaky, gets outmuscled. He's gotten much better defensively than he used to be but will still never be confused with a Selke Trophy candidate.
Verdict: The Flyers don't need any more centers, and they need to beef up the defensive presence of their forward corps.
Michael Ryder: The Stars were often starved for offense this past season, but Ryder was not part of the problem. His 35-goal season was the third of his career. Being reunited with former Montreal teammate Ribeiro played a big part. The 32-year-old has one season to go on his two-year deal, paying him $3.5 million.
Pros: He's rediscovered his scoring touch, and can score in bunches. Underrated all-around player.
Cons: Tends to be streaky. He needs to play with a top-notch playmaker to be at his most effective.
Verdict: He seems very happy and comfortable in Dallas, and got a lot of ice time this past season. Right now, I think he'll most likely end up extending in Dallas. If things change -- down season, Stars go into seller mode near the deadline -- he could be one of the best rental options in the NHL.
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