Jaromir Jagr Signs with the Dallas Stars

In a move that baffled the entire hockey community, former Philadelphia Flyer Jaromir Jagr just signed a contract with the Dallas Stars.

Yes, the Dallas Stars. The deal is for one year only, and it will pay Jagr $4.55 million, according to ESPN Dallas/Fort Worth.

The Dallas Stars have easily been the most active team in the league since July 1st. Ray Whitney and Aaron Rome both signed contracts in Dallas, and the team traded Steve Ott and Adam Pardy to Buffalo for center Derek Roy. Add Jagr to the mix, and Dallas has really had a productive offseason so far.

Some might think that $4.5 million is too much for Jagr, but the Stars have serious financial flexibility since being bought by owner Tom Gaglardi, and the team was below the salary-cap floor before the Jagr signing.

General manager Joe Nieuwendyk has established his desired plan, and it's becoming visible to all. Dallas has a very solid group of prospects such as towering defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, newly drafted center Radek Faksa and Hobey Baker finalists Reilly and Austin Smith.

Prior to free agency, Dallas was incredibly thin at depth at forward. Now, the team can allow the prospects to develop in the minors while the team became better in the short term. Then, in two years when Jagr and Whitney have left, the Stars will have a young squad that is NHL-ready. Nieuwendyk's plan is one that is great for the long term and the present.

Even though Jagr is far from his prime, imagine the scoring potential he has on a line with Jamie Benn and Loui Eriksson, two of the league's hidden superstars. Not to mention, Dallas' power play was dead last in the league last season. Adding Jagr, Whitney and Roy will help immensely.

The Stars will be a totally different team come October, but for a club that has missed the playoffs for four straight years, is that the worst thing in the world?