Dallas Stars Get #5 Overall Draft Pick: Without the Draft?

It looks like the Stars have signed Fabian Brunnstrom to start with us next year. Speculated at a $2mil entry-level contract Fabian comes with plenty of press, as many as 15 NHL teams were making offer sheets, and only a month ago he was rumored to have signed with Vancouver, a deal that fell apart because of the firing of management.

Fabian, another Swede (the balance has shifted, yes?), is a forward, a winger, and a play-maker. Last year in the Swedish Elite leagues Fabian had 39 points in 57 games. His speed has been compared to Daniel Alfredson, his play-making abilities to what was expected of Louis Erikson, and his grit to that of Brendan Morrow. He has also been said, had he gone through the NHL Entry Draft, to be a #5 overall pick. To a team with who's #1 pick is non-existent, and who wouldn't be better than 26 in this year draft, that's a damn good pick up.

The question is how will he fit in? With contracts for Hagman and Norstrom coming to a close, and the hefty pickup of Brad Richards this year, it looks like it's time to start thinking about that salary cap, which is expected to go up $4mil+ this next season. Will the two headed Jack-Hull beast bring back Hagman, a depth player who had a breakout year? Is Norstrom going to play in the NHL next year? Will Mittens & Daley become part of a trade package next year to further clean up what inconstancies still lie in the Dallas lineup? All questions that our interim GM's have to answer in the coming months - heck, will the 2-headed interim GM experiment continue into next year ... and lets not forget the small matter of the Western Conference Championship & Stanley Cup Finals (we can only hope)!

What do you think? Assuming it's a 3 year US$2mil/yr contract, was Fabian a good pickup? Should we keep Hagman? Norstrom? Holmqvist (the rental goalie backup that was packaged with Richards)?