NHL free agency 2019: 5 most improved teams this offseason
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars nearly upset the Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in the second round. They pushed them to the brink, as it took seven games plus two overtime periods in Game 7 for the Blues to get rid of the pesky Stars.
Additions
If their offseason signings are a sign of things to come, they’re ready to take the next step. The Stars began their offseason by signing long-time San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski to a shockingly reasonable three-year deal worth $7 million per season. It’s fair to ask if he’ll be able to play at a high level for all three seasons, but he should be good for at least two.
Next, the Stars further addressed their forward depth by signing long-time foe and general pain in the butt to play against Corey Perry. Perry is coming off the worst NHL season of his career. However, he was also bouncing back from an injury, which is never easy for older players.
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If Perry is healthy, you can bet he’ll be motivated to prove everyone that he’s not over the hill yet. And if Perry isn’t healthy or doesn’t play well, his contract is relatively cheap at just $1.5 million (not including bonuses) for a year.
The Stars also took a flyer on defenseman Andrej Sekera, who, much like Perry, is coming off a season defined by injuries. At just $1.5 million (not including a $500,000 performance bonus), he should provide some valuable depth.
Do the Stars still have some question marks on offense? Absolutely. But they have far fewer than they did at the start of the summer. Plus, remember, the Stars allowed the second-fewest goals in the NHL last season.