Dallas Stars bolstered the defense by signing defensemen Johnny Oduya to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million. Coming off a Stanley Cup last season with Chicago Blackhawks, Oduya was waiting to cash in during free agency. With the cap space problem Chicago has, the team could not re-sign him. He will be rejoining teammate Patrick Sharp who was traded to the Dallas Stars last week.
In 76 games for the Blackhawks last season, Oduya scored two goals, recorded eight assists, and out up a plus-minus of plus five. Oduya was a big part of the Blackhawks success in the Stanley Cup run last season. He did not put up a lot of points offensively, but he was a key piece to a Blackhawks defense that ranked in the top-four.
Oduya, 33, is a nine-year veteran who has 31 career goals, 152 career points, and a plus-58 rating with four different teams. He's coming off a down season points wise, but he gives the Stars a veteran defenseman that could be a mentor to their younger defenseman John Klingberg and Patrik Nemeth.
The Dallas Stars are a team that is ready to become a contender in the Western Conference right now. So this is a great move for them because they are getting a good veteran defenseman who they can put on the second line. On a cheap two-year deal, he is also a good locker room leader that makes a lot of sense for Dallas. With the team that they have right now, expect them to become a Western Conference contender this upcoming season.
On Blackhawks side of things the team is losing a big time defensemen in Oduya, he did so much for the team. If the team had the salary cap room Oduya would go back there. However, they are in salary cap problems thanks to the mega deals they gave to superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Despite their salary cap problems, the Blackhawks will still be a good team and a contender, but when is the salary cap going to get to a point when it's a serious problem.