Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill: Texas Stars "Big Part" of Dallas's Success This Season

Jim Nill and Lindy Ruff watch training camp
(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

Dallas GM Jim Nill made the quick trip down I-35 last night to take in the Stars win over Chicago. Three years into his leadership of the Dallas Stars organization, he'll certainly be making the trip even more in years to come. The Stars signed Nill to a five year extension yesterday morning, taking his contract through 2022-23.

Nill and many of his scouts took in the game as they prepare for an organizational meeting in Arizona next week. The entire hockey ops staff will be present to take a holistic look at the entire Stars organization as well as analyze other organizations in the NHL.

Nill, who has become well-known as a savvy trader, noted, "We live in a capped world so there's always opportunities [for trades]."

Here are a few other salient points from our chat...

On the contract:
"I'm excited. It shows a commitment from the Gaglardi family. They believe in what we're doing in both organizations. We've got a good thing going here."

On the success his team is having this season (classic hockey player praise deflection here):
"We have a great management team and coaches in place. We supply the players but they have to mold it together. It's been a big part of our success in Dallas. You look at the roster in Dallas now, probably half of them have developed here in Austin. To be successful in the NHL, you have to have a good feeder system."

On Esa Lindell, recently named to the AHL All-Star roster:
"Esa is a big part of our future. I was able to watch him in the World Championships [last year] and he was one of Finland's best players. He's one of the best young defensemen in the AHL and one of the top upcoming defensemen in his age group."

On Jack Campbell:
"We're going to monitor Jack's play. In the end, he has to play a lot of hockey. It's important for him to get playing again. Get him playing some games and get his confidence back and see where it fits into the situation up here in Texas."