Looking Ahead to Texas Stars 2013-14 Contracts

Francis Wathier (Credit: Josh Rasmussen/Texas Stars)
The AHL season isn't over yet and contracts have already started being signed for the 2013-14 season. Some are for the AHL, like last week's PTO for Brendan Randford with the Texas Stars, and others are for the KHL or SEL, such as Tom Wandell and Spartak Moscow.

It's a big swath of information to wade through, but here are the contract statuses of everyone who suited up for at least one game as a Texas Star this season (and a few extras). I've removed some players who aren't likely to come back for Texas (like Eakin, Roussel and Dillon).
Signed to Dallas: Campbell, Chiasson, Faksa, Glennie, Jokipakka, King, Klingberg, Labrie, Lagace, McKenzie, Molin, Morrow, Nemeth, Oleksiak, Peters, Petersen, Ritchie, Smith, A., Smith, R. and Wathier 
Signed to Texas: Boutet, Montgomery, Ranford (PTO)
Dallas unrestricted free agents: Benn, Fortunus, Morin, Nilstorp, Sloan and Sneep 
Dallas restricted free agents: Bachman, Beskorowany, Connauton, Coyle, Fraser, Gaunce, Gazdic, Sceviour, Tousignant and Wandell 
Texas unrestricted free agents: Baldwin, Cameron, Dowling, Hedden, Robinson, Ryder, Vause and Wrenn 
Texas PTOs and ATOs: Barker, Commodore, Fyten, Jones, Martin and Todd
A couple that jump out as high priority to me are Dowling, Hedden and Morin. Who are the big important names on that list for you?

Comments

  1. Vause and Cannauton both show a bit of eagerness that I like. Plus who else can skate as fast as Vause?

    E. Knam

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gaunce and Connauton. Sceviour and Nils need to stay.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hedden, Dowling, Morin. Sceviour a must. Wouldn't mind having Nilstorp back either.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It looks like Robinson did really well down in Idaho. Let Beskorowany walk, keep Robinson in the system.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Robo", as everyone calls him, is surely looking for an AHL contract with a chance at AHL playing time next season. Can he get that in Texas?

      Delete
    2. He can't with the current roster. Does he go somewhere else so he can, or does one of the goalies ahead of him get moved and he gets his chance with this organization. I think the only goalie that is truly untouchable is Kari. Steve

      Delete
    3. I think Campbell is pretty close to untouchable. Without him you don't have even a shot at a future goalie 'in the system' right now.

      My initial thought is that Texas signs a vet goalie to support Campbell. Think Matt Climie and Eddie Lack or Mark Dekanich and Eddie Pasquale.

      Delete
    4. Are you assuming that either Richard or Christopher will not be here? Everyone on the Dallas blogs are looking at trades that can be made to move up in the draft, so who knows. We really are in nice shape in both defense and goal, the need is for a top 6 center in Dallas. Steve

      Delete
    5. Bachman was shaky at best in his time with Dallas. If they want Lehtonen to carry the load, they need to be comfortable giving the backup starts. Nilstorp had injury issues obviously and it's unclear if he will stay in NA or go back to Europe. I am making a bit of an assumption that it's a one or the other type thing. That could also be wrong, but if you were Nilstorp, would you re-up to be the backup to a first rounder in the AHL knowing that you could go back to Europe and be 'the man' on an SEL team?

      Delete
    6. Thats true, about Richard and will only magnify for a full NHL season. I was so happy to see Jack come into the fold, but this last season at least, he was the backup to Christopher. Hopefully he steps in next season as the clear no 1. Who knows what Christopher is thinking, he came here for whatever reason, so does he leave again so fast for Europe??
      Steve

      Delete
  5. I'm not sure you can say Bach was shakey..I think he played well when needed!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He was 6-5 with one of those wins coming without taking any shots against. He had a 3.25 GAA and a .885 SV%. A SV% of .900 is usually considered bare minimum for professional hockey.

      Delete
  6. I would let Bachs go and do away with the Dallas backup on a one way, it was stupid to begin with being Bachs was marginal and Lehts is a work horse. Resign Nilstorp, call up Robinson and your pretty set at goalie from a organizational position, at least while staying on a budget and developing young players.

    I agree Hedden and Dowling are valuable but do they get a Dallas contract? Will they stay on a AHL contract? I see Dowling as our "Haydar", I just don't think he has the NHL body but has enough to have a very productive AHL player.

    I see Morin being extended given his past performance and the need for Centers in Dallas. I liked Sneep, Connauton, and Gaunce. Who wouldn't want to see Sceviour back. People want to praise the coaching for doing such a good job but consider Fortunus was captain from beginning to end and by all accounts deserves an A+ grade for his part in the success.

    I've been saying for two years Benn is easily the most overrated player on the Stars and although he is an AHL talent guy he isn't a top guy, he can go and find someone better for a top two line defenseman.

    Seems every year we have at least one Vause kind of guy, everyone loves his hustle and heart but unfortunately he just doesn't produce. Then again he was just on a AHL contract so that's not that bad.

    We really don't need to discuss Coyle, Tousignant, or Besko because I'm sure they are history, in Besko's case it's disappointing because he had several chances to earn it. In Tousignant it's just sad because I never really thought his niche was utilized over the last two years.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brock Montgomery and Étienne Boutet are also signed for next season.
    http://www.discovermoosejaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28604&Itemid=903

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for commenting. Remember to keep it civil. Using a name will help us identify replies and build a Texas Stars community.