With UFA period being over, let's make a quick summary of what actually happened.

What can be rated as the key and the highest-success of the Free Agents sweepstakes, is the capture of Conner Bleackley for the next 2 seasons for 900k a year. Although, he was capture as an UFA, we can say that he was re-signed since he played the whole last season with the team, collecting 36 pts in 79 games played in a bottom-six role.

Next signings were veterans Dillon Heatherington, Brayden Schenn and David Elsner and the young Russian goalie Ilya Konovalov.

Defensemen, Heatherington played 59 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, collecting 16 pts and +18 rating. He is expected to be a fine third-pairing option or be simply a 7th defenseman this season. This is not his first time in Dallas Stars team, so his transition should be smooth.

Centreman, Brayden Schenn spent the last three years with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he played only in 30 games last season, so he sure welcomes a chance to play more with the Stars this season. He is expected to play in the 4th line and help the PK with his defensive acumen, leadership and experience.

Winger, Elsner played for the Blackhawks last season and past of their playoff run, and can serve well as 4th line winger, depth forward.

Lastly, the goalie Ilya Konovalov played for the Islanders last season, but it's hard to predict how many games he can start with the Stars in the upcoming season since it seems that Vladar/Gustavsson tandem will be back again.

Other UFA signings were: Kasper Kotkansalo, Joseph Cecconi, Calen Addison and Nando Eggenberger.


Another important move was the trade for Alex Galchenyuk from the Blackhawks. Chicago needed to save cap space and Dallas Stars were looking for a solid C. Evgeni Malkin was re-signed for another year, but he's not getting any younger, so addition of Galchenyuk may prove to be a very important one down the road.

Most recently drafted centremen Danielson and Heidt look to fill that hole as well, so the management is doing all possible to be ready for the next Era, the post-Malkin-Era. But right now, let's enjoy one more year with Malkin.

The team was never this good in the middle, and with Gunler taking the next step, re-singing key pieces on the defense, Broberg and Chychrun for the next 7 years, seeing the development of Pickering, ambitions are obviously very high.

Let's start with the pre-season camp.