The Dallas Stars fired Lindy Ruff quickly after another disappointing end to their NHL campaign.
In his place, Ken Hitchcock was hired to guide the Stars this season.
“Ken Hitchcock is an established NHL coach that everyone here in Dallas is familiar with, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the organization,” Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said. “A proven winner, Hitchcock knows exactly what it takes to be successful in this league and he is the perfect fit for what this team needs.”
The Stars won a Stanley Cup under Hitchcock in 1999.
“Ken is an exceptionally talented coach and we could not be happier to have him joining the organization,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. “He is a meticulous coach who brings with him an emphasis on structure and a defensive style of play, which will accent our level of skill nicely. Ken has an incredible hockey mind and we look forward to his guidance on the ice.”
Hitchcock will take over a team that has under-performed or been riddled with injuries as they were this past season.
But they have also suffered from a lack of success in the nets. Now they have Ben Bishop through a trade with the Los Angeles Kings and Kari Lehtonen to battle for the number one position. Based on past performance in Dallas Bishop has the indie track on that decision making Lehtonen and his heavy salary trade bait during the season.
The free agency signing by the Stars was Alexander Radulov who signed for five years and $31.25 million.
“When I put everything on the table and I saw what I have, it was easy decision to go to Dallas,” Radulov said on NHL.com. “With Montreal, I don’t think we even got that close, in my opinion.
“The money was basically at the same level. For me it was more the term because I really wanted five years at least on my deal and I want to play and not worry about it. Just play hard and try to win.”
Radulov iced for the Montreal Canadiens prior to signing with the Stars and he wanted far too much from the Habs for them to sign him.
“We watched him perform in Montreal, played very well, he’s been one of the top players in the world, it’s no secret,” GM Jim Nill said. “Then we made some calls on him, we know a lot of people that played with him and that everybody raved about him, about his personality. And then when I had a chance to talk to him, once we hit free agency, I was so impressed.”
Martin Hanzal signed a three-year, $14.25 million deal with the Stars as a free agent.
“Dallas is an underrated team, and this is a great team and an organization,” Hanzal said. “I always loved to play against them because they were working really hard. They had some skill players, and I believe this is a winning team. That was the reason I chose Dallas.”
Hanzal skated with the Arizona Coyotes and Minnesota Wild last season and collected 20 goals and 39 points.
With 33 points last season, Radek Faksa signed a three-year deal worth $6.6 million.
“We’re thrilled to have Radek locked in for the next three seasons as he is an important part of what we’re building here,” Nill said. “He has proven to be a trustworthy, 200-foot player and we fully expect him to continue growing in all areas of his game.”
If the Stars can limit their injuries this season they may be able to make some noise in the Central Division race.
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