Joe Nieuwendyk and Brad Richards both maintained throughout trade season that they wanted Richards to stay in Dallas. In the end, they got their wish, as the Stars held on to their offensive leader and free agent to be. Nieuwendyk said in the past week that he was willing to talk about Richards, but the price would be sky high. Despite what was characterized as intense interest from the New York Rangers, no team was willing to meet those demands.
Nieuwendyk made a big trade one week ago, dealing James Neal and Matt Niskanen to Pittsburgh for Alex Goligoski, shoring up a defensive unit that has struggled over the past two months. With Nicklas Grossman set to return and, according to Nieuwendyk, Richards possibly returning Friday, the GM is happy with where his team sits.
“Nothing happened today and I am good with that,” Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said. “I look at our team and we’ve played well lately and we’re going to add Brad and Nick Grossman. We’re pleased.”