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Dallas Stars: The Biggest Free Agency Needs for Every Team in the Central Division

By Avery Klatsky

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Goalie Kari Lehtonen
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 20: Goalie Kari Lehtonen /
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As the free agency floodgates open on Sunday, some teams will be scrambling to add players to their roster. The Dallas Stars are flirting with adding the top free agent on the board, John Tavares but nothing is set in stone yet. Trades will be made, offers will be proposed, and many players will no doubt find new locations that they will call home. Here is a list of each of the Central Division teams’ needs, and prospective players to look for.

CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 11: (L-R) Erik Gustafsson #56, Patrick Kane #88 and Vinnie Hinostroza #48 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Kanes’ third-period goal against the Boston Bruins at the United Center on March 11, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Bruins 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 11: (L-R) Erik Gustafsson #56, Patrick Kane #88 and Vinnie Hinostroza #48 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Kanes’ third-period goal against the Boston Bruins at the United Center on March 11, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Bruins 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Chicago Blackhawks

The Hawks have many issues in their roster, as they finished dead last in the division. They tried to reinvigorate recent history by bringing back forward Brandon Saad from Columbus, but their season ended poorly.

Their biggest issue may come in net, as it is unsure if Corey Crawford will be healthy by the beginning of next season. Crawford, who only played 28 games last season (16-9-2), hasn’t played since Dec. 23. If Crawford is going to be on the IR for quite some time, Chicago should look to these free agent goalies:

Cam Ward, G

  • Team in 2017-18: Carolina Hurricanes
  • Wins Last Season: 23 (43 GP)
  • GAA: 2.73
  • Save Percentage: .906
  • Cap hit last season: $3.3 million

Kari Lehtonen, G

  • Team in 2017-18: Dallas Stars
  • Wins Last Season: 15 (37 GP)
  • GAA: 2.56
  • Save Percentage: .912
  • Cap hit last season: $5.9 million

Petr Mrazek, G

  • Team in 2017-18: Philadelphia/Detroit
  • Wins Last Season: 33 (38 GP, 17 with PHI & 22 with DET)
  • GAA: 3.055
  • Save Percentage: .900
    • Cap hit last season: $4 million
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