2009 NHL Free Agency
July 1st, 2009 by BradThe Stars have re-signed Jere Lehtinen to a one year deal worth 1.5 million, with an additional million in possible incentives. The cap is 2.5 million.
Hockeybuzz.com has the Stars cap hit at $45.2, but their actual dollars committed to next season is only $41.5 million. With 11 million in cap space, ordinarily we’d expect to see some big, big things today…or at least something. But no dice. According Mike Heika, the Stars internal budget is something closer to 45 million (or even less). Tom Hicks can’t afford to pay any more, apparently. His problems with the Rangers and Liverpool is limiting the Stars bid for a Stanley Cup. Something that has the locals rather restless.
To compound matters, Jonas Gustavsson is holding the Leafs and Stars goaltending situation hostage, refusing to make a decision before Free Agency as he previously said he would.
So while the Stars wait, goalies Craig Anderson, Ty Conklin and Scott Clemmensen are all signed or otherwise very nearly signed this afternoon. The goalie pool is shrinking and the Stars will get whatever is leftover after Gustavsson likely chooses Toronto.
Meanwhile the defensemen are dwindling as well, though I have yet to see a Zubov rumor today.
So where are we? We re-signed Lehtinen. Ok. We have a real nice group of forwards. Mr. Nieuwendyk’s job over the course of the next several weeks is to figure out the defense situation, the backup goaltender, and the combination to Hicks’ safe. Because we need some money.
Anyone want to buy the Texas Rangers? Stars fans will thank you.
Posted in Jere Lehtinen
One Response to “2009 NHL Free Agency”
By AC on Oct 3, 2009
Not really sure if this signings gonna help the team but I guess they’re grasping at straws after the departure of pillar Zubov.