Nieuwendyk deserves high marks for off-season moves

Let's face facts, Joe Nieuwendyk's job this off-season hasn't been easy. Not only was the Stars General Manager faced with having to find a new head coach, but the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner was also tasked with having to handle his summer duties of bolstering a roster that just missed the 2011 NHL Playoffs despite being under considerable financial constraints. But to his credit, Nieuwendyk never used the lack of an owner as an excuse. Instead, he said the Stars would be players when free agency began on July 1 and that's exactly what they were. The Stars added several quality players, so many solid pieces that everyone who follows this club closely suddenly feels a little better about how the 2011-12 season will go even with the loss of all-star center Brad Richards. So, what exactly did Nieuwendyk accomplish? Here's a look. Bolster the Blue Line-CHECK The Stars shored up their defensive core last year with the pre-deadline acquisition of Alex Goligoski from the Penguins but with veteran Karlis Skrastins and Jeff Woywitka both likely not returning next year, the club needed some more blue liners to add to the rotation. Dallas got exactly that with the addition of 35-year-old Sheldon Souray, who despite a recent rash of injuries, brings size, experience and a potent shot on the power play to the roster. Calgary expatriate Adam Pardy also has a recent history of injuries but at 6-foot-4, he brings a solid blend of not only size but mobility to the Dallas defense. He won't post solid offensive numbers like Souray has in the past but he does a nice job of handling his defensive responsibilities, which is never a bad thing. Bring in some more Toughness-CHECK One off-season addition that might not have gotten a ton of play was when the Stars added ex-Pens enforcer Eric Godard. The big, hard-nosed right winger is rightfully regarded as one of the best true enforcers in the NHL and that's good news for Stars fans on several fronts. Not only is it a lock that Godard becomes a fan favorite pretty much immediately, but it also means that Steve Ott, who has been the club's somewhat de facto tough guy over the last year, can focus on delivering more offensive production. On the day that Glen Gulutzan was hired as the club's new head coach, Nieuwendyk said he expects more goals and assists from Ott this year. Bringing in Godard to be the Stars' tough guy gives him plenty of time to focus his efforts on growing his offensive game. Think Offensively-CHECK No doubt about it, losing Richards although inevitable, left a sizeable void on the Stars' offensive side of things. But several additions to the forward corps will help alleviate losing one of their two NHL all-stars from last season. Michael Ryder comes over from Stanley Cup champion Boston and he should provide his share of goals and assists for the 2011-12 Stars. Jake Dowell was a member of Chicago's 2010 Cup-winning squad and he brings depth and grit to the forward position. Radek Dvorak is a solid veteran who can contribute offensively and who brings experience and versatility to his new destination. And ex-Coyote Vernon Fiddler will help this team in a place where they needed it for much of last year, in the face-off circle. He can also kill penalties. Restock the Farm System-CHECK The drafting of big defenseman Jamieson Oleksiak with their first-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft was a big step in the right direction toward this club re-stocking their farm system with top-level talent. Second-round pick Brett Ritchie, a solid winger, also looks like a nice addition to the organization. Late last season, the Stars also added Brenden Dillon, another blue liner from the AHL. He's someone that Nieuwendyk is clearly pretty high on. All in all, things are looking up for the Stars at the minor league level. But there is the whole question about how quickly any of these guys could be ready to contribute at the NHL level but that issue can be tabled for now since each of them are going to need at least a little seasoning before they're even close to being ready for prime time.