Dallas Stars Sign Brian Sutherby to Two-Year Contract

On Monday afternoon, the Dallas Stars announced the team had signed agitating center Brian Sutherby to a two-year contract worth $1.625 million.

The deal will reportedly pay Sutherby $775,000 for the 2009-10 season, and $850,000 for the 2010-11 NHL season.

“Brian has been a solid performer for us this season, and has added some toughness, size and grit to our lineup, while also possessing an underrated offensive game,” said Co-General Manager Les Jackson in the Stars press release. “We look forward to his continued development with our team the next two seasons.”

Sutherby has been a welcomed addition in the post-Sean Avery era of Stars hockey after being acquired from Anaheim on Dec. 14.

Sutherby plays much the same physical style as Avery, and in Dallas has begun to find more of a scoring touch than he was used to in Anaheim.

In 50 total games with the Ducks and Stars this season, he has recorded eight goals and seven assists for 15 points with 54 penalty minutes.

It is likely with the signing Sutherby, as well as Steve Ott and Krys Barch, will be looked to for providing the physical spark to the team.

Sutherby has shown improvement in his game since coming to Dallas, and with a strong length of a contract, it appears like Sutherby will become a regular face for Dallas.

Sutherby and the Stars take on the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis tonight and can be seen in Texas on Fox Sports Net Southwest, or can be followed online at from the St. Louis Blues or Dallas Stars websites.