Dallas Stars Sign Tyler Sloan, Spelling The End for Fortunus, Lukowich As Stars

While the hockey world drools over the thought of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise teaming up in Minnesota, the Texas Stars got a little bit of free agent news themselves late last night. Multiple sources report that the Dallas Stars have signed veteran defenseman Tyler Sloan to a one-year, two-way deal.

Tyler Sloan is a 31-year old defenseman, most recently of the Milwaukee Admirals, where he compiled one goal and nine assists in 62 games of service. Sloan has played in the NHL with the Washington Capitals, putting up four goals and thirteen assists over 99 games. Sloan was on a two-year contract to the Capitals from 2010-2012, but had the last year bought out and became a free agent this time last year. He signed a two-way with Nashville and was assigned to Milwaukee.

Sloan has played 467 regular-season games between the AHL and NHL. He also spent some time with the Las Vegas Wranglers under Coach Glen Gulutzan.

As the roster begins to fill up, it looks like this signing fills the role of veteran defenseman, obsoleting both Maxime Fortunus, who the team was in talks with, and Brad Lukowich, who the team had not engaged with in free agency. This gives Texas a likely opening day roster on the blue line, totally postulating on combinations:

Oleksiak-Dillon
Sloan-Labrie
Nemeth-Benn
Coyle

It is possible that another defenseman could sign, setting up a sure fire first-callup guy. However, I think that player is most likely to be an AHL-ECHL player who will sign at the bottom of this depth chart rather than an NHL-AHL guy who will fill in somewhere in the middle and bump Coyle to Idaho.

Finally, the expected departure of Lukowich leaves the Stars capitaincy open and up for grabs. My money is on Francis Wathier. What do you think?

Comments

  1. Wathier is a good bet from what i am hearing. Also Jace Coyle (if he isn't traded to Idaho), Matt Fraser & Travis Morin

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    Replies
    1. Morin is the only other logical choice there. Fraser and Coyle are far too young to be considered captains.

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  2. Why would Coyle wear the C?
    My money is also on Wathier. I will be shocked and very disappointed if he doesn't wear the C.

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  3. If Petersen is in Cedar Park I could see it very well being him. Over 400 NHL games (regular season and playoffs) and familiarity with the coach from both being in Dallas.

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  4. Fraser, Dillon, and Benn could be spending a lot of time in Dallas this year. I guess we'll see. They've been improving a lot of the past year or two. As for captain, I can't imagine anyone else but Wathier of the remaining Stars.

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  5. I could see Peterson wearing the "C", he has some experience with Wathier so it could go over well. I still would like seeing Wathier have it though.

    If those land up being our defensive pairings/players we are in for another long season.

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