Dallas Stars Trade Rumors

Winter Classic to Dallas? Never say never, league boss says
February 10
Dallas Morning News
 
"NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Thursday that he still believes the NHL will be realigned, and that fans and teams will be happy with the results. Bettman was in Columbus on Thursday to meet with the media after announcing that the 2013 All-Star Game will take place here. Asked about the recent realignment proposal for the 2012-13 season that was approved by the Board of Governors but scuttled when the NHL Players Association had problems with it, Bettman said he's not frustrated. "This league has had 13 different types of alignment and scheduling in the regular season since 1966. The playoffs, since the league took control of the Stanley Cup 80-some odd years ago, had 13 different"
Could Stars consider shopping Brenden Morrow at the trade deadline?
January 27
Dallas Morning News
 
"Brenden Morrow is the only member of the Stars to know Joe Nieuwendyk as more than just a GM. Morrow and Nieuwendyk were Stars teammates for the better part of three years -- from 1999 to 2002 -- which goes to show just how long Morrow's been with the club. But at 33, Morrow is on the downslope of his career, which means that Nieuwendyk could face some tough questions about Morrow's future with the team should the Stars fall further back in the playoff race."
Jamie Benn is expected to play in All-Star Game, probably won't get contract extension before end of season
January 23
Dallas Morning News
 
"Jamie Benn is the Stars' leading scorer and quite possibly the player this team builds around going forward, but Stars coach Joe Nieuwenedyk said that a contract extension for Benn will probably have to wait until the summer, and maybe even until there is a new collective bargaining agreement. "We've had discussions, but there won't be any more discussion, I don't thnk,'' Nieuwendyk said, ``His is a different situation because he's still entry level and doesn't have rights that maybe Alex has. We'll have further discussions with him at the end of the season." The big difference between Goligoski and Benn is Goligoski is 26 and could have become an unrestricted at 27 under the current CBA."
Glen Gulutzan: Jamie Benn looking good for All-Star Game
January 18
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said after the Stars' 3-2 shootout loss to Detroit that Jamie Benn is making solid progress after Sunday's appendectomy and that his chances of playing in bthe NHL All-Star Game Jan. 29 in Ottawa are looking good. Gulutzan said Benn might even have a chance to play next Tuesday against Anaheim. ``Bennie, seven days from his surgery, for sure 100 percent, he is not playing,'' Gulutzan said. ``So I don't know if you can rule out Bennie for Tuesday against Anaheim, but for sure before that we won't see him.''"
Dallas Stars Benn, Ribeiro likely out until after All-Star Weekend
January 16
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn, the team's scoring leader with 42 points, underwent an appendectomy on Sunday afternoon, the Stars reported on their website. Benn will be out approximately 10 days to two weeks. He was resting comfortably and is expected to make a full recovery. Benn, 22, was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time, which will be in Ottawa on Jan. 29. His participation in All-Star Weekend appears doubtful, though a final determination has not been made."
Stars swing minor league trade for once-highly-sought prospect Angelo Esposito
January 14
Dallas Morning News
 
"Angelo Esposito was taken 20th overall in the 2007 entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins and has struggled since then to live up that billing. The Stars believe he still has a chance to make something of himself. Dallas on Friday traded Ondrej Roman to Florida for Esposito in a swap of minor leaguers who just haven't panned out. Both turn 23 in February and both have struggled to find the right fit. Roman has 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 24 games with the Texas Stars this season. Esposito has 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points in 16 games with San Antonio. This is basically giving two kids a fresh start. We'll see how it works. Esposito will report immediately to the Texas Stars."
Ribeiro out for Saturday; Kari Lehtonen likely to get start in goal
January 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"Word out of Frisco this afternoon is that Mike Ribeiro still is not ready to test his sore knee and will miss his third game in a row. ``Ribs is still sore,'' Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. ``He'll be another few more days. You can expect him before somebody else, that's the way Ribby is, but he's had a significant injury, so he'll be a few more days.'' Gulutzan said that he was waiting on Kari Lehtonen to give him the thumb's up on a sore tailbone, but that he expected him to be ready to start Saturday against Colorado. ``If he's fine and healthy, he'll most likely get the start.''"
Lehtonen to return to play Thursday; Souray, Robidas out for 10-14 days
December 29
Dallas Morning News
 
"As expected today, Andrew Raycroft was placed on waivers and Kari Lehtonen has been named the starter for Thursday's game against Columbus. Lehtonen has been out since injuring his groin Nov. 26 against Phoenix and has missed the past 12 games. He has a 13-4-1 record with a 2.34 GAA and .926 save percentage. ``Lehts is ready to go, so he'll get the start,'' Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. ``I think it's the right time to do this, and he's ready.''"
Stars goalie Lehtonen eyes return Thursday vs. Columbus
December 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"Kari Lehtonen, who has been out since injuring his groin Nov. 26, went through his second practice with the team Friday and said he is feeling good. Lehtonen will skate again Monday before the team heads to St. Louis and would have two practices to be ready to play Thursday against Columbus. "Probably that St. Louis game comes a little bit fast for me," Lehtonen said of his potential return. "Probably after that.""
Robidas questionable for tonight
December 21
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stephane Robidas took a puck on the skate in practice on Tuesday, and he is listed as questionable for tonight's game. He skated this morning, and looked fine, but he is listed as a game-time decision. That could determine who plays on the fourth line. Petersen could take power play time left by Robidas if he is not in the lineup, and also could be a back-up defenseman if he is in the lineup."
Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen pegs possible return goal: 'probably sometime around Christmas'
December 20
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen has missed nine games since injuring his groin Nov. 26, but he has been working out and said he is feeling better. When asked if he had a target date for a return, he said after Christmas. "First I have to have a couple more days just with the goalie coach," Lehtonen said. "Then I need to start skating with the team and have a couple of those days, and then after that, we'll see when I play. We haven't talked about any dates, but probably sometime around Christmas.""
Injured Stars forward Adam Burish close to returning after missing 15 straight games
December 20
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stars forward Adam Burish has missed 15 games since breaking his hand Nov. 15 against Florida. He has been working out and is healthy, but Stars coach Glen Gulutzan held him out Monday to get him at 100 percent. "He's pretty much ready, but he's not going to go tonight," Gulutzan said before the game against Anaheim. "We have a protocol here, and he's been off for six weeks. One skate just doesn't cut it.""
Good news from Nieuwendyk: Kari Lehtonen taking shots, could join practice in a week
December 16
Dallas Morning News
 
"Just talked to Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk to get an update on goalie Kari Lehtonen, who has been out since Nov. 26 when he strained a groin against Phoenix. Nieuwendyk said Lehtonen has been taking shots in practice with goalie coach Mike Valley and that he may return to Stars practice within a week. ``It's very positive right now,'' Nieuwendyk said. ``We're not going to rush him, and we're taking every precaution, but there is a chance that he's a practice player within a week, so that's great news.''"
Dallas Stars go retro, slash ticket prices
December 9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dallas Stars president Jim Lites just made good on a promise. Last week he said: "We are going to re-price the whole building. We are returning season and individual ticket prices that reflect 2002 and 2003 prices. We'll be doing that within a week." He did. The Stars are averaging 11,469 in 14 home games this season, second-to-last in the NHL. Some changes, effective immediately, include: The $9 ticket (down from $15)."
Morrow, Daley and Goligoski could all return in a week
December 2
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski, who broke his thumb blocking a shot Nov. 11 against Pittsburgh, is expected to get the cast off Friday. After that, he will be able to work his thumb. He said he would like to be ready by Dec. 9, which would be four weeks since the injury. "They said 4-6 weeks, so I'm hoping for the best," he said."
Brenden Morrow will probably miss next three games
November 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Stars captain Brenden Morrow will probably miss the next three games, coach Glen Gulutzan said. Morrow, who sat out Wednesday's 3-2 (OT) win against Los Angeles with an upper body injury, will not be ready to play Friday against Toronto and is not expected to go on the two-game road trip to Phoenix (Saturday) and Colorado (Monday). He could be ready to return Thursday at home against Ottawa."
Stars goalie Raycroft scheduled for first home start in nearly a year
November 18
Dallas Morning News
 
"Backup goalie Andrew Raycroft is in line to start against San Jose, coach Glen Gulutzan said. It would be Raycroft's first start at home since Dec. 10, 2010, when he had 22 saves in a shootout win against Carolina. ... Defenseman Philip Larsen could also play against San Jose. Larsen appeared in the first three regular-season games, averaging 13:31 of playing time, before being returned to Texas (AHL). ... Winger Krys Barch (ankle) returned to practice."
Source: Jim Lites to return as president of Dallas Stars
November 17
Dallas Morning News
 
"Former Stars president Jim Lites has been selected by expected new Stars owner Tom Gaglardi to become the next president of the team, according to a source close to the situation. Gaglardi has put in a bid that is expected to be approved by a Delaware bankruptcy court and the NHL on Friday. Gaglardi is then expected to name Lites to the position he once held for 14 years. When reached by phone, Lites declined comment. Lites, 58, played a huge part in establishing the Stars as one of the strongest Sunbelt teams in the NHL when they moved to Dallas in 1993."
Stars forward Adam Burish to miss at least four weeks with broken hand
November 17
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars expect to be without forward Adam Burish for at least four weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand. Burish incurred the injury when hit by a shot from teammate Brenden Morrow during the loss to Florida on Tuesday. This is the second consecutive season in which Burish has had a significant injury. He missed eight games last season because of a fractured orbital bone and was out for an additional 11 late-season games because of a lower-body injury."
Sale of Stars on fast track?
November 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars, the NHL , the lenders and the lawyers for Tom Gaglardi are working to put the sale of the team on the fast track. The original date to resolve the bankruptcy hearing in a Delaware court was Nov. 23. That has been moved up to Nov. 18. The vote on the sale to Gaglardi, the Vancouver businessman who is the sole bidder, was expected to come at the Board of Governors regularly scheduled meeting Dec. 5-6 in Pebble Beach, Calif. However, the Stars and NHL are studying a possible fax vote."
Sale of Dallas Stars takes a step forward
October 24
NHL.com
 
"The bidding deadline for potential buyers of the Dallas Stars franchise ended Saturday. Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi was the only person to submit a bid to buy the team and remains in line to become the Stars' new owner. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly suggested it will still take some time for any sale to be finalized. The NHL's Board of Governors has to approve ownership before sales can be completed. Daly said Monday that the League hopes the process finalized by the end of November. "Now that the bidding deadline has been reached, we will continue our due diligence process and will proceed with the Board's ownership transaction review process," Daly said. "We also will work"
Eric Nystrom practices, should play Saturday
October 14
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars acquired winger Eric Nystrom on Wednesday and he went through the morning practice on Thursday. Coach Glen Gulutzan said he expects Nystrom to be in the lineup Saturday against Columbus. "I know him. When I was (coaching) in Las Vegas, we were in the Calgary organization and I saw him play at camp,'' Gulutzan said. "He's an energy guy, he can skate, he plays physical and has a little edge to his game. That's going to help. He has speed, and I think he can play the way we want to play, a pacey type of game.''"
New York Rangers' demotion of Sean Avery could force Dallas Stars to acquire a player
October 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars are studying moves to add a player because of the sudden possibility that they could drop below the NHL-mandated salary floor of $48.3 million. The Stars have been paying half of Sean Avery's salary to the New York Rangers since losing him on recall waivers in 2009, and that $1.9 million has also counted against the salary cap for the Stars. However, the Rangers last week assigned Avery to the their minor league team in Connecticut , and the NHL notified the Stars that they could not count Avery's cap hit while he is in the minors, even though they still must pay the salary. That puts the Stars perilously close to the cap floor."
Stars' Burish doubtful for Friday's game against his former team
October 6
Dallas Morning News
 
"Forward Adam Burish (groin injury) didn't skate Wednesday and is doubtful for Friday's home opener, but he's expected to skate Thursday and could be ready as soon as Saturday. Burish would love to get back in time to face Chicago, the team he played for from 2006 to 2010."
Stars assign seven more players to Texas Stars; final roster finalized by Sunday
September 29
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars on Wednesday moved seven players to the Texas Stars of the AHL: D Jordie Benn, G Tyler Beskorowany, D Brenden Dillon, F Matt Fraser, F Ryan Garbutt, F Luke Gazdic and D Dan Spang. Dallas has 32 players on its training camp roster. The final roster of 23 will be determined by Sunday, after the Stars' final preseason game Saturday, Gulutzan said."
Gaglardi will buy Stars, pending plan for bankruptcy
September 16
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The Dallas Stars have signed an agreement to sell the team to Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and have filed a prepackaged bankruptcy plan to help facilitate the deal. The Stars said Thursday that the deal is subject to a court-approved auction and NHL approval. In their release, the Stars said the prepackaged Chapter 11 plan had support of the NHL and the team's lenders, who voted to accept it before filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington. A court hearing is scheduled for Monday, when the Stars are expected to present customary motions for court approval."
Chuck Greenberg confirms that he's been working on bid to buy Stars
September 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Former Texas Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg is interested in buying the Dallas Stars and he wasn't shy about letting it be known during a recent party at the W Hotel. According to a Wednesday story by DMagazine.com, Greenberg was heard saying: "Yeah. I'm gonna try to make it two in a row!" Greenberg was attending a penthouse party at the swanky Dallas hotel, an event called: "The Best of Texas, celebrating Texas elite from the worlds of entertainment, business, fashion, philanthropy and sports.""
NHL policy change on substance abuse?
August 18
Toronto Sun
 
"The recent off-ice deaths of two NHL players could spark a change in how the league conducts its substance abuse and behavioural program. Commenting on the passing of New York Ranger Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jet Rick Rypien at the league's research and developmnt camp in Toronto, commissioner Gary Bettman told a wire service that he will soon approach the Players Association to study the current policy. Boogaard passed away in May after a mishap with alcohol and a painkiller drug. Rypien, who reportedly suffered from depression, died Monday and police will only say the circumstances were not suspicious. Both men had been in the program, which has helped many players with varied"
Tom Gaglardi inching closer to `official' offer for Dallas Stars
August 12
Dallas Morning News
 
"There was a little bit of confusion that sprang from a St. Louis Post-Dispatch article on Wednesday that stated two of the people who are interested in buying the Stars are also inquiring about a possible purchase of the St. Louis Blues. Stars' stalking horse Tom Gaglardi is not one of those people. My guess is that the two mentioned in the article are Detroit businessman Christopher T. Charlton and local sports entrepreneur Chuck Greenberg. (UPDATE: Greenberg said he is not interested in buying the Blues). Allen Americans owner Doug Miller is from the St. Louis area and is a huge Cardinals fan, but I believe his hockey interest is anchored in Dallas. He has supported youth hockey here for"
Could Shea Weber's deal affect Stars' approach to Alex Goligoski?
August 6
Dallas Morning News
 
"Nashville's Shea Weber earned a stunning arbitration decision Wednesday at one-year for $7.5 million. The decision was interesting for two reasons. 1. It sets a very high comparable for restricted free agents, and comparables are what agents use in trying to negotiate for their clients. 2. Nashville actually made the decision to take Weber to arbitration (in hopes of avoiding an offer sheet from another team), and other teams clearly will think twice about using that strategy in the future. Now, why is this important to Stars fans? Well, defenseman Alex Goligoski can become a restricted free agent next summer -- and while he doesn't have the numbers that Weber has, he might by next summer."
Modano hints at impending retirement
July 30
NHL.com
 
"Mike Modano said he isn't ready to announce his retirement, but did say during a recent radio interview that he isn't working out for the 2011-12 season and hasn't spoken to any teams about playing a 22nd season. "I don't know," he said Thursday when asked about his playing future by Dallas radio station 1310 AM. "I think that was the swan song." Modano, 41, was limited to just 40 games last season due to a serious arm injury. He severed three tendons and a nerve in his right arm during a game Nov. 26 in Columbus when a Blue Jackets player's skate got caught inside his glove. The injury sidelined him three months and scuttled his hopes for a happy homecoming; Modano had grown up a Red"
Dallas Stars re-sign forward Ray Sawada
July 20
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars have signed froward Raymond Sawada to a one-year, two-way contract, the club announced Tuesday. Sawada, 26, was drafted 52nd overall by the Stars in 2004 and appeared in one NHL game and 57 AHL games for the Stars organization last season. He has played in 11 NHL games in his career scoring one goal, and has played in 179 AHL games with 27 goals and 51 assists for 78 points."
Former Rangers CEO Greenberg interested in Stars, partnering with Mark Cuban
July 13
SportingNews.com
 
"Chuck Greenberg has filed the necessary paperwork and has been approved to be a potential owner of the Dallas Stars, the Dallas Business Journal reports. Greenberg, the former CEO of the Texas Rangers, is reviewing the franchise's financials to decide if he wants to get involved in pursuing ownership of the team, according to report. The report also says that, in a twist, Greenberg is "kicking the tires" on partnering with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on a bid for the Stars."
Stars sign Eric Godard, adding tough forward to roster
July 13
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars boosted their toughness Tuesday, signing forward Eric Godard to a two-year contract. Godard, 31, played 19 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season but had 105 penalty minutes and seven fights. In 335 career NHL games, he has 883 penalty minutes and 93 fights. He has six goals and 12 assists. The 6-4, 214-pound winger has signed a two-way contract in the first year that will pay him $750,000 for NHL games or $105,000 for games he plays in the minors. Godard switches to a one-way contract in 2012-13 at $700,000."
Stars sale update: Tom Gaglardi out of exclusive window but still favorite
July 12
Dallas Morning News
 
"In checking out a few things on the sale this weekend, it appears that Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi is no longer officially inside his "exclusive'' negotiating window, but that he still is the favorite to put in the "stalking horse'' bid on the Stars, and that the bid could come as soon as this week. Gaglardi entered his 30-day exclusive window in late April, and the lenders and the NHL extended that window once, but they declined to do it a second time. However, for the purposes of the process, Gaglardi still is miles ahead of any other potential bidder. What the lenders, the NHL and the Stars would like is an official ``signed purchase agreement,'' that they can use either as the"
Source: Chuck Greenberg approved
July 9
ESPN.com
 
"Chuck Greenberg has filed the paperwork and has been approved as a potential buyer for the Dallas Stars, according to a source. Greenberg, who helped a group led by Nolan Ryan purchase the Texas Rangers last August and is no longer with the organization, is now able to explore the club's financial records and determine if he wants to put in a bid. Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi is still in an exclusive negotiating window and could have a signed purchase agreement at some point soon. But the process allows for others to jump in and attempt to better Gaglardi's offer."
Mike Modano will test free agency; interested in post-career job with Stars
July 2
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mike Modano will see what free agency has to offer before he'll consider retirement, he said Thursday. ``I go back and forth a lot, but the bottom line is the injury I had really messed up last season,'' he said of getting his wrist punctured by a skate in November and missing 42 games. ``I felt great before I got hurt, I feel great now, but I missed out a on a lot of the season, and so it does make you feel like maybe there's something more.'' Modano, who turned 41 on June 7, was seeking a little closure when he decided to try free agency last summer. Bottom line, he wasn't ready to call it a career when Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk told him that he would not get another contract in Dallas."
Stars add Michael Ryder as scoring winger in free agency
July 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Stars have added Michael Ryder to their free agent class. Two years at $3.5 million each. He's a good scorer, coming off a Stanley Cup championship with Boston, and he and Mike Ribeiro were linemates in Montreal."
Stars sign Pardy, Fiddler and Dvorak
July 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Quick work by GM Joe Nieuwendyk, as the Stars have agreed to terms with free agents: Adam Pardy (two years, $2 million a year), Vernon Fiddler (three years, 1.8 million a year) and Radek Dvorak (1 year, $1.5 million). Fiddler, 31, is the key name. He is a versatile center who has been good in Phoenix and Nashville. He wins 52 percent of his faceoffs and can typically add 30 points or so. He will definitely help Steve Ott scale up the lineup and play in the top six, as Fiddler can be a solid third-liner and a great complement to someone like Adam Burish."
Stars sign free-agent defenceman Pardy to two-year deal
July 1
TSN.ca
 
"Dallas Stars have signed defenceman Adam Pardy to a two-year, $4 million contract. Pardy spent the last three seasons with the Calgary Flames who selected him in the 6th round, 173rd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft."
Leafs poised to drive up price on Richards
July 1
Toronto Sun
 
"The bidding war for Brad Richards begins at high noon. The rest of the NHL's free agency is just details. While the Dallas Stars centre is going to get a lucrative offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs, many wonder if the 31-year-old, the most valuable unrestricted free agent on the market, is going to choose to move north of the border on Canada Day. The betting is that Leafs GM Brian Burke's pursuit of Richards will simply drive up the price so that it costs the likes of the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres or Tampa Bay Lightning more money. The Rangers, Leafs, Sabres and Flyers all need help in the middle. The Bolts are just being mentioned because they're a"
Mike Modano will test free agency; interested in post-career job with Stars
July 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mike Modano will see what free agency has to offer before he'll consider retirement, he said Thursday. ``I go back and forth a lot, but the bottom line is the injury I had really messed up last season,'' he said of getting his wrist punctured by a skate in November and missing 42 games. ``I felt great before I got hurt, I feel great now, but I missed out a on a lot of the season, and so it does make you feel like maybe there's something more.'' Modano, who turned 41 on June 7, was seeking a little closure when he decided to try free agency last summer. Bottom line, he wasn't ready to call it a career when Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk told him that he would not get another contract in Dallas."
Could Stars target a defenseman like Jonathan Ericsson?
June 30
Dallas Morning News
 
"This is just a guess, but hopefully it is an educated guess. In looking at the potential free agents the Stars could target on July 1, I keep coming back to one name _ Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson. Yes, getting a high-level defenseman like James Wisniewski or Christian Ehrhoff would be great for the Stars. Heck, adding a veteran like Ed Jovanovski has its merits. But if you look at what Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk did with Alex Goligoski, you wonder if there could be a strategy there that could be repeated. Most of us looking at potential trade partners last year targeted established, veteran defensemen with the ability to help the power play. Tomas Kaberle comes to mind. But"
Rangers buy out Chris Drury, intend to spend on Brad Richards and own free agents
June 30
New York Daily News
 
"A year earlier than expected, Chris Drury's time with the Rangers is over. The Blueshirts finalized a buyout of the final season of their captain's five-year, $35.25 million contract Wednesday, and he will receive $3,333,333 as per the buyout rules in the labor agreement. The Rangers will incur a $3,176,667 cap charge for Drury this coming season - a savings of more than $3.3 million - and a $1,666,667 hit in 2012-13. The Daily News first reported on June 9 that the Rangers planned to cut ties with the 34-year-old, who was a Little League World Series hero for Trumbull, Conn., before embarking on a hockey career that has included a Stanley Cup and two Olympic silver medals. Hobbled by a"
Stars announce Brad Lukowich signed to two-way contract
June 29
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has re-signed defenseman Brad Lukowich to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2011-12 season. Lukowich, 34, skated in 67 games last season for the Texas Stars (AHL), posting 27 points (4g, 23a) and 59 penalty minutes. He also appeared in five games for the Dallas Stars in 2010-11, accruing a +2 plus/minus rating. The 6-1, 200-pound defenseman played 13 games with Vancouver in 2009-10, collecting a goal and an assist. Lukowich spent part of 2009-10 with the Texas Stars during the club's inaugural season, skating in 29 games and recording 18 points (3g, 15a)."
Leafs one of many teams in Brad Richards mix
June 28
Toronto Sun
 columnist Mike Zeisberger
"If you are one of those passionate zealots who view the world through blue-and-white glasses, you likely are already fitting Brad Richards for his spiffy new Maple Leafs jersey. Not so fast. While the local fishwraps, talk shows and world wide web are saturated with speculation concerning how far the Leafs will go in their expected pursuit of the soon-to-be ex-Dallas Star, there is a strong buzz in a number of other markets involving potential destinations for Richards. Indeed, if you believe the various reports coming out of New York the past few days, Richards will be wearing blue come July 1, all right. Broadway Blue. A headline in Monday's New York Post trumpeted: "RICHARDS ON THE WAY,"
Leafs keep quiet on Richards sweepstakes
June 27
Toronto Sun
 
"Will the Maple Leafs be in on the Brad Richards sweepstakes? Should they be? It is a complicated scenario made even more vague by the fact that for all sorts of reasons, Toronto general manager Brian Burke and his management team have no interest in discussing the matter publicly in advance of the July 1 free-agency period. The Leafs got burned, you will remember, on the foiled pursuit of the Sedin twins a couple of years ago and, to add to that frustration, were charged by the NHL with tampering because of seemingly innocent comments made by coach Ron Wilson while the Sedins were still under contract with the Canucks. Given the fact that Richards is the standalone big-name in this year's"
Return to Tampa Bay Lightning for less pay? Brad Richards says he will be flexible in free agency
June 27
St. Petersburg Times
 
"When it comes to his impending free agency, Brad Richards said he wants to be flexible. That is why he will not waive his no-trade clause with the Stars — "The more I think about it, the more I want to see all my opportunities," he said — and why, when it comes to a potential return to the Lightning, he did not shoot down a suggestion he might be willing to take less salary than he could get elsewhere. To be fair, Richards framed his reasoning in a broader context, saying every team's financial situation is different. Still, that Richards, the MVP of Tampa Bay's 2004 Stanley Cup run, left that door open a crack is sure to stoke the imaginations of Lightning fans when free agency opens"
Brad on the way, if Rangers pay
June 27
New York Post
 columnist Larry Brooks
"If I heard it once, I heard it a dozen times during this Entry Draft weekend in Minnesota: "[Brad] Richards told [X] he wants to come to New York." And this, too: "Slats [general manager Glen Sather] is going to blow his brains out to sign Richards." To which I respond: If Richards "wants to come to New York," $32.5 million over five years -- starting at $11 million this year to protect against a potential future rollback -- should be enough money and enough of a commitment for him to achieve his dream. And this: If Sather does indeed "blow his brains out to sign Richards," to borrow from the vernacular, then the GM truly will have lost his mind. The risk/reward line is hazy enough on a"