The Dallas Stars did themselves a great service by getting two of their young restricted free-agent stars under contract on Thursday. Each have been signed to two-year contracts. James Neal, 23, had an impressive sophomore season as he tallied 27 goals and 28 assists in 78 games. He raised his point total to 55 from the 37 he posted his rookie year, and raised his plus/minus from -11 to -5. Neal posses speed and work ethic and can polish it off his timely offensive plays from the left wing. Neal is an important piece to Dallas’ long-term future amongst their current re-build phase. Neal was drafted by the Stars 33rd overall in 2005.
Followed by the Neal signing, 23 year-old defenseman Matt Niskanen was also locked up at $3 million over two years, collecting $1.25 million in his first year, and $1.75 million in his second. Niskanen was also drafted in 2005 (28th overall) but made his jump to the NHL a year earlier than Neal. Niskanen’s numbers dropped off slightly to 3 goals and 15 points with a -15 rating from 6 goals 35 points and a -11 rating in his sophomore season. Niskanen heads into his fourth year as a Dallas Star, and is just as much of the future as Neal is for the franchise.
Both players will experience a different roster from last year with new faces around them, but the increase in ice time and experience should bode well for these rising stars.
- Kendall Grubbs
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