Thanks to the NHL's minimum payroll rules even the bankrupt Dallas Stars have to spend some money in free agency, which began Friday at 11:00 CT. Dallas made their first move shortly after free agency started, locking in Adam Pardy for two years and $4 million.
Pardy, a 27-year-old defenseman, comes over from the Calgary Flames and figures to fill a role on the Star's final pairing, assuming that he can win a starting role. Karlis Skrastins is expected to leave for Europe, making available one spot and quite a few minutes per game. He could fight with youngsters like Philip Larsen for that spot. He has played for new Stars coach Glen Gulutzan in the minors (ECHL), so he'll be familiar with the system and Gulutzan's expectations.
The Stars were required to spend about $10 million beyond their current payroll to reach the NHL's minimum level, so the move brings them to $8 million, with no replacement yet for Brad Richards.