Texas Piles Up Players as Offseason Doldrums Approach

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

August is a quiet time in the hockey world. Even with the delay of free agency this year, signing slow down generally and the Canadian players, at least, head off to their cottages. Dallas and Texas made a combination of signings over the past few weeks to bolster the AHL roster.

Starting on the backend, Texas racked up two players, both on contract to Dallas: Will Butcher and Ben Gleason. The RFA-signee Gleason will certainly see time in Texas. Butcher, who hasn't played a single game in the AHL in his career, could do that this season. He only made it into 37 games last season as a 6/7 guy. With the established depth in Dallas, Butcher could slide to Texas and be in a top pairing situation. 

Momentarily former and now current Texas Star Jordan Kawaguchi transitioned from an NHL contract to AHL with a one-year pact. The forward had 23 points in 49 games last season, but his work seemed unfinished despite the count of games. The NHL to AHL transition makes sense for where he is in his career.

The Stars also signed an AHL-ECHL player in Ryan Dmowski. He played in 23 games for Hershey last season and split his ECHL time between Idaho and South Carolina. I'd expect him to make noise in Texas camp and try to earn a spot outright or put himself in the conversation for a callup down the line.

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