Dan Hamhuis to Stars: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Veteran defenseman Dan Hamhuis reportedly signed with the Dallas Stars on Friday after coming to terms on a two-year, $7.5 million contract. 

John Shannon of Sportsnet provided the details of the agreement, and Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press confirmed the report.

Hamhuis is coming off the worst offensive season of his career. He tallied just 13 points in 58 games during the final season of a six-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.

The 33-year-old blueliner has never been a major scoring threat—his career high of 38 points came in 2005-06 while with the Nashville Predators—but the drop-off in production despite ranking third on the team in ice time raised concerns, especially in a contract year.

In all, the 2001 first-round selection has registered 55 goals and 248 assists (303 points) across 872 career contests with the Predators and the Canucks. He's also added 21 points in 62 playoff games.

The British Columbia native was considered a potential trade target at the Feb. 29 deadline last season. He owned a full no-trade clause, but he provided the team with a couple of possible suitors, which he hoped the fans would understand, per Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun. 

"I felt like I have put my heart and soul into this organization, and I want to continue to be able to do that, and I hope that our fans will value that," Hamhuis said. "It is a team that I love playing for and obviously want to be a part of, and I would hope that fans aren't holding that against me."

He also pointed to "family responsibilities and family considerations" as a reason he hoped to stay in Vancouver as the team retooled its roster.

But things didn't work out for Hamhuis in Vancouver. Now, the onus will be on him to show last year's dip in production doesn't represent a sign of things to come as he enters his mid-30s, a task made more difficult by the transition period that comes with joining a new team.

The Stars came into the offseason with a definite need to bolster their blue line. Although the veteran wasn't one of the biggest names on the market, his track record suggests he could become a nice value signing for the next couple of years.

Dallas will hope he's able to get his scoring total back up around 25 points. It would once again make him a rock-solid asset when paired with his defensive and physical contributions.