Report: Richard Bachman, Dan Spang Sign Two-Way Contracts with Dallas

Defenseman Dan Spang slides to the ice to block the pass option for Liam Reddox as goalie Richard Bachman absorbs the shot. (Credit: Ron Byrd)
Despite previous reports of his signing with the Vaxjo Lakers, Dan Spang has been signed to a one year, two-way contract with the Dallas Stars for the 2011-12 season. Richard Bachman, set to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, has also been re-signed by Dallas to a one year, two-way deal. Both deals have been reported by the Dallas Morning News and ESPN Dallas but not yet confirmed by the Stars organization.

Last night, Capgeek, the preeminent source for contract information in the NHL, tweeted that Dan Spang had been signed to a one-year one-way contract. The one-way nature of the deal seemed unlikely. Mike Heika reported on the story late last night but was unable to make a confirmation due to the late hour of the report. This morning, Heika reported that the deal has been confirmed as a two-way deal, not a one-way deal, for $525,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL.

Including his time in the DEL, Spang counts as an AHL veteran. Each team is only allowed five AHL veterans, players with more than 320 games played professionally. ECHL games do not count toward this number. Spang gives the Stars four veteran players, including Fortunus, Wathier and Lukowich, who is reportedly in talks to re-sign for another year with the Dallas organization.

Given Coach Gulutzan's time coaching Spang in Las Vegas and Texas, I have a feeling that his fingerprints are on this signing. I do not feel like he will be a call-up option for the Dallas Stars, however. I would expect Larsen, Dillon, Fortunus, and Lukowich to get the call before Spang.

Richard Bachman, to the surprise of no one, received a contract extension this season. Bachman will receive $70,000 playing for the Texas and $550,000 with Dallas with a guaranteed payday of $80,000 no matter what. Bachman will be the Texas Stars' number one goaltender from day one this season with Tyler Beskorowany at backup.

After setting a franchise record for wins with a 28-19-5 record, he will be a solid player for Texas and is a clear number one. Coming into the summer, this was one of the most important off-season priorities for the Texas Stars, and it's good to get it done early. Now, of course, signing a new head coach has been added to that list.

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