Focus on 2009-10 heats up this week

Sunday, June 28, 2009-11:36:pm
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page                            

The Dallas Stars spent the weekend addressing the long term future at the NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. Starting this week they'll start looking at some more immediate needs as the task of rounding out the 2009-10 roster becomes the major focus. Here's a look at some of the issues.

The budget

The league has set the 2009-10 salary cap at $56.8 million, which is just $100,000 over last year's cap level. The Stars have made it clear they won't spend to the cap, but the question is where their spending will fall between the upper limit and the $40.8 million lower limit. That hasn't been revealed, at least publicly, so far. There are still a lot of issues involving Stars owner Tom Hicks, including the sale of MLB's Texas Rangers, that could have an impact on the Stars' situation.

Right now, the Stars have about $42 million in cap costs committed with 17 likely roster players under contract. Those costs include the buyout of Sean Avery.

Defenseman Mark Fistric, a possible roster player, is a key restricted free agent.  Key  unrestricted free agents are defenseman Sergei Zubov and right wing Jere Lehtinen. 

The Stars aren't expected to be big spenders in the free agent market, but they are still in the hunt for one prominent free agent.

Waiting on Gustavsson

One of the priorities for the Stars is to address the backup goaltending situation. Option one is Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson, a highly touted goalie from Sweden who is a free agent. He visited Dallas, Toronto, San Jose and Colorado as he tries to decide where he wants to sign a one-year, entry-level deal for next season. A decision is expected any day, and before July 1. If the Stars don't land Gustavsson, then they will have to look elsewhere for a backup to starter Marty Turco.

Zubov and Lehtinen

What Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk is going to do with free agents Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehtinen is still up in the air.  Both players have struggled with injuries the past couple seasons and money has to be a concern with both players as well. For now, Nieuwendyk said he'll just wait and see how things play out as free agency free agency unfolds starting on Wednesday.

"It's one of those things that is going to have to play out. Obviously we'd love to keep them. Both guys have been phenomenal players," Nieuwendyk told NHL Radio. "Sergei Zubov has had a real tough injury, but he's still an elite player when he is healthy. We're really monitoring those guys and staying in close contact with them. Jere Lehtinen is a true professional and one of the best players I've every played with. So, those guys are real important to the Dallas Stars organization."

Offseason additions

Whether the Stars re-sign Sergei Zubov or not, the thought has been the team needs to bolster the group of defenseman. Whether that means bringing in a so-called No. 1 d-man or just an established veteran to help, the Stars blue line could use a boost. Landing a big fish in the early days of free agency appears unlikely because of budget issues. A trade or a better bargain later in free agency might be a more likely scenario.

Free agents

The official list of free agents will be released by the league on Wednesday, but here's the unofficial list of the Dallas players who will become free agents on July 1. 

Roster/salary cap outlook

Here's a look at the Stars' salary cap situation with likely roster players who are under contract listed. While the cap hit for these players is about $42 million, the salary cost listed for these players, including the buyout cost of Sean Avery, is about $39.5 million. That does not include potential performance bonus money. 

Prospects who should get a look

Among the prospects and players not under contract who could be in the mix for a regular roster spot are defenseman Mark Fistric (RFA), defenseman Ivan Vishnevskiy ($846,667), right wing Ray Sawada ($750,000), center Tom Wandell ($600,000) and left wing Jamie Benn ($850,000).