As John Klingberg continues his extended stay on the free-agent market, his former team has continued to make moves to bolster their blueline. The Dallas Stars announced they signed former Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher on a one-year, two-way contract. Per CapFriendly, the deal carries a $750K cap hit and a $300K minors salary.
Butcher, 27, once looked like a budding star in the NHL after his first season with the New Jersey Devils. As a rookie, Butcher notched 44 points in 81 games and looked like the kind of player who could quarterback the Devils’ power play for years to come. Since that point, though, Butcher’s game has regressed, and due to a mix of injuries, inconsistency and a lack of development in the defensive side of the game, Butcher has found himself on the type of one-year, two-way contract signed by players who need to re-establish themselves as quality NHLers.
With Klingberg’s exit now certain, the Stars will need a new face to fill his vacated role, that of an offense-first defenseman who can push the pace of play and help on the power play. Just a few years ago, that was what was driving Butcher’s NHL value and what made him such a coveted college free agent. In Dallas, Butcher will have a chance to play on a quality team and to remind people of his skills as an offensive defenseman.
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