In Defense of the Dallas Stars: A Look at the Skrastins and Woywitka Signings

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The day the free agency market opened, the Dallas Stars, like many teams, had holes which needed to be filled.

A top-line puck-moving defenseman, a right-shot scoring winger and a reliable backup goalie who would challenge Marty Turco for ice time were all areas that needed help on the Stars' roster.

What they got was Karlis Skrastins and Jeff Woywitka.

Both Skrastins and Woywitka are defensemen who worry just about the defense; they're not going to quarterback your power play and chances are, they're not going to put up anywhere near 40 points a season. 

Which leaves me wondering, where is the logic in bringing two guys onto a team already packed with this type of defensemen already?

When you look deeper, there appears to be a purpose to these signings. I believe Joe Nieuwendyk stepped into his role with a well thought-out plan, and these signings are another part of that plan.

Karlis Skrastins is a solid defenseman who is a renowned shot-blocker and checker. The Stars have not had a reliable shot-blocking defenseman since Jon Klemm pulled on a Stars jersey. The 34-year-old defensemen also brings a wealth of veteran experience and for just over $1 million this coming season, he's a bargain.

Woywitka is more of a puzzle; there is no particular attribute about him that jumps out as impressive. In fact, the 25-year-old Woywitka is simply a solid young defenseman whose play is somewhere between Mark Fistric and Stephane Robidas.

These two signings give the Stars seven locked-up defenseman for the upcoming season (that is if you include Andrew Hutchinson in that group). There is a good chance the Stars will lock up Mark Fistric to a new contract and there are still hopes they can secure Sergei Zubov for another season. 

This would give the team nine defensemen, which is possibly more than what they need.

The Stars are well aware that they still need to acquire an offensive defenseman and a good quality backup to Turco, especially now that "the monster" signed with Toronto. 

You would not be in the minority to think that maybe the boost to the team's defensive core is not just to help improve the defense.

Not just to help block shots either.

No, in fact, if you're like many Stars fans, there is a good chance you're wondering if maybe the Stars front office is looking to move a few players to help fill the big holes.

One thing is for certain; Joe Nieuwendyk is discovering that being a General Manager of an NHL team is no walk in the park!

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