Dallas Stars sign veteran Jiri Hudler to 1-year, $2 million contract

Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff will have plenty of toys to play with on offense this year.

The high-scoring Stars added another forward threat on Wednesday, signing veteran winger Jiri Hudler to a one-year contract worth $2 million.

Sonny Sachdeva of Today’s Slapshot first reported the news on Tuesday.

It’s not hard to see why Nill imagines Hudler fitting in as a top-six player for Dallas. The 32-year-old is just two seasons removed from putting up 31 goals and 76 points with the Calgary Flames. Hudler can fill in on the wing beside Jason Spezza if Valeri Nichushkin fails to cement his place there again this season.

Hudler finished last season in Florida after a trade-deadline-day deal with the Flames. That he lasted almost two whole months on the free agent market is somewhat surprising considering his pedigree and the low salary he ended up with in Dallas.

Hudler’s contract leaves the Stars with $4.58 million in cap space this season. The team’s only other notable signing this summer was defenseman Dan Hamhuis for two years at $3.75 million per season.