The Stars have signed a UFA!
Karlis Skrastins is our new veteran defenseman. The Stars wanted a veteran at a discount and I think he’s a good find.
Skrastins broke the record back in 2007 for consecutive games played by a defenseman at 495. He’s durable. He’s experienced and he’s a stay-at-home guy.
I think he’ll be good for what they want him for. He’ll bring some leadership and help Stéphane Robidas herd the d-kids around. It’ll be good for the Niskanen, Fistric, and Grossman to have him to lean on but still be the main guys. A higher-profile defenseman like Bouwmeester would have made at least one of them expendable.
I’m relieved Nieuwendyk didn’t go for Bouwmeester on the open market. He was too expensive and had too many suitors. He has no playoff experience and has been a big fish in a little pond for a long time. There’s no telling what he’s really like. I’m sure he’s a great defenseman, but you’d have to pay for him before you knew if he was a good fit.
The road to the playoffs is littered with teams that spend all their money on UFA day.
I’m happy with this signing. It leaves room for Zubov, if he wants to come back (pleeeease come back, Zubie) and it covers the need for a veteran at a bargain price. It’ll also give them a chance to give Ivan Vishnevskiy some time on their new minor league team before they bring him up.
Now, if we can get a cool right winger at a bargain that would be great.
