Joe Pavelski is coming back for another year. The Dallas Stars re-signed him for a one-year, $5.5 million contract. Stars fans rejoice as the team’s leading scorer is back for next season. With Pavelski’s re-signing, The Stars can no longer afford John Klingberg and/or Alexander Radulov next season. The Trade Deadline is Monday, March 21. No one on the Stars is heading anywhere, even with a bunch of UFAs at the end of the season. Re-signing Pavelski is great news for the team over this season and next.
Veteran Player
Pavelski leads the Stars with 59 points in 56 games, ahead of Jason Robertson. Robertson is the future of this franchise and he shares a line with Pavelski. Pavelski is a great veteran player with lots of experience that passes down to Robertson. Another year with that line together will pay off in droves for Robertson’s future.
Klingberg and Radulov’s Last Dance with the Stars
Re-signing Pavelski now means the Stars cannot afford Klingberg. Cap space is non-existent in their current situation. They must sign Robertson to an extension at all costs. Either Radulov, Klingberg, or both are off to another team next season unless they take a pay cut. Robertson will warrant a sizable chunk of salary and Klingberg will also want more money. It is still possible to re-sign Klingberg with the extra cap space from Radulov leaving. The whole situation gets resolved in the offseason.
The Deadline
That answers the buyers vs. sellers question. Jim Nill is going into the trade deadline as neither. Don’t expect the Stars to make any major moves at the deadline. They have a solid chance at making the playoffs so he likely will pass on trading players. They don’t have any cap for a major trade either so doing nothing is best.
Stars fans lucked out when the team signed Pavelski two years ago. Getting him for another year is awesome. He led the team in points last season and leads in this year too. He deserves to win the Stanley Cup. Stars fans can’t wait till he and Robertson are in the playoffs.
Photo Credit: Dallas Stars Twitter
