The Dallas Stars will add a pair of veteran forwards when free agency opens in just over an hour, and are now expected to bring in some experience on defense as well. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that the Stars will sign Andrej Sekera to a one-year contract later today. Sekera was recently bought out by the Edmonton Oilers and will be earning $1.5MM from them in each of the next four seasons. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the deal will be $1.5MM in salary with an additional $500K in potential performance bonuses. Though Sekera isn’t 35 yet, he spent enough time injured last season to be eligible for bonuses.
Sekera, 33, has played just 60 games for the Oilers over the last two seasons but looked like his game was starting to turn around at the end of the year. If he can recover any of the ability that made him a 44-point defenseman in 2013-14 for the Carolina Hurricanes the Stars will have a bargain on their hands, but that is far from certain. Dallas already has most of their defense corps set but were a little thin at the fringes.
The question now will be what happens to young Julius Honka, who needs a new contract but hasn’t been able to find a fit with the Stars since being selected 14th overall in 2014. Through 87 games in the NHL Honka has just 13 points, and may not have much of an opportunity in Dallas if Stephen Johns is able to return from injury this season.
Nice deal for a steady veteran