Brian Sutherby to get contract extension

by Brandon Worley on Mar 9, 2009 12:57 PM CDT in Dallas Stars News

The Stars are expected to announce today that they have signed center Brian Sutherby to a two-year contract extension for around $1.625 million total.

Sutherby was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, so good move for both sides in locking up a player who has become an important part of the Dallas Stars future. He's a hard working, physical and versatile forward who has also shown a fair amount of offensive skill. He has shown to be able to create chemistry with whomever is on his line and his energetic style is important on a team that struggles at times with consistent effort.

It will be interesting to see where he fits in once the various injured players return. Before Brad Richards was hurt he and Sutherby had started to enjoy success together on the same line.

This could also spell the eventual departure of other veteran UFA's, most notably Joel Lundqvist.

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good

solid player who should help the stars for the rest of this year and next.

born to destroy

by Lifewish on Mar 9, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions

Speaking of Joel...

…he just hasn’t been the same player since Jeff Halpern was traded away a year ago. Granted, I’d do that trade 100 times out of 100. But it seemed having a defensive minded and veteran linemate such as Halpern helped create a little more freedom for Joel to hit and score.

Without that presence, he’s been lost…and is probably out the door this offseason.

As for the cap impact, Lundqvist was making $725,000 this past season, so Sutherby’s contract will be about equal to that the first year at $775,000.

Defending Big D an SBN Dallas Stars Blog | TheStarsFans

by Brandon Bibb on Mar 9, 2009 4:17 PM CDT reply actions