Rolling out New Lines: Predicting Your 2019-2020 Dallas Stars Roster

4 of 5

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – APRIL 10: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the Dallas Stars plays against the Nashville Predators during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Unrestricted Free Agents

After resigning their own, the Dallas Stars now must look towards Free Agency to further a scoring punch. With a few holes remaining in their roster, Jim Nill works day-and-night to bring these three to Dallas:

The Dallas Stars Sign LW Mats Zuccarello to a 3 year, $5.4M AAV contract, equipped with a shiny NMC (No move clause)

Sort of anticlimactic, huh? The first major UFA to wear Victory Green is a familiar one – although the 5’8 winger broke his arm during his first appearance in a Dallas uniform, Zucc was as electric as advertised when healthy. Notching 11 points in 13 playoff contests, #36 was an exhilarating presence on the ice, finally giving the Stars the two-line punch they never had prior.

This contract is where Nill uses his magic to get tricky. Although many reporters note Mats Zuccarello’s desire to receive a longer extension, the use of offering more money per year and adding a NMC may be enough to offset any hesitation in accepting. With Dallas making it obvious they want to keep him around for the future, I have no doubts that Zucc will wear green come next Fall. This contract serves as a generous compromise between front office and player, and more importantly allows for just that.

Expect to hear a lot of “Zuccing” inside the AAC next year.

The Dallas Stars Sign Forward Ryan Dzingel to the tune of a 5 year, $3.975 AAV contract

Alright folks, here’s where things really take off. Dallas addresses their wish to add another top-six forward into the mix, inking the speedy Ryan Dzingel to a 5 year deal. The Wheaton, Illinois native played for the Ottawa Senators last season before becoming an aggressive trade-deadline acquisition for the Columbus Blue Jackets, totaling 26 goals and 56 total points in 78 contests between the two clubs.

Previously thought of as a highly sought after free agent this offseason, things went a little off the deep end for Dzingel in the postseason. After a highly successful 78-game campaign, he only mustered one goal in 9 playoff appearances, even serving as a healthy scratch for a Game 2 date with the Boston Bruins.

Although unfortunate, I believe this could be a perfect “buy low” move for the Dallas Stars. Even with the late-stage disappointments, Nill should be foaming at the mouth if given an opportunity to purchase a speedy young winger coming off two consecutive 20-goal seasons. His value likely being lower than ever before, Ryan Dzingel is most likely looking for a change of scenery with a welcoming team and a chance to win.

Enter Dallas: a perfect candidate.

Adding a heavy shot to play consistent minutes along the already stacked bunch of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov, Roope Hintz, and Mats Zuccarello would scream nightmare to defenses everywhere.

Home/Dallas Stars