On the Dallas Stars and Valeri Nichuskin …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 1040 on Valari Nichushkin and the Dallas Stars. Dreger thinks it’s more about finances than head coach Lindy Ruff. It’s obvious he wasn’t going to get what he wanted from the Stars.
From what Dreger understands, there is no wiggle room on his KHL contract. All KHL contracts have a buyout provision, but he’s basically stuck in the KHL for two more years. From text message exchanges with Stars GM Jim Nill, they seem to be okay with it. Dreger on if there will be trade interest in Nichushkin.
“He’s definitely going to get calls,” said Dreger of the Stars general manager. “When you see something like this go down, it’s no different I suppose – although different parameters and scenarios – than the Burmistrov situation with Winnipeg, and Radulov years ago with the Nashville Predators, etc.
“When you see unrest, and that’s really what this is, then I’d be surprised if Nill isn’t getting calls. But then it gets tricky as well. Maybe if this prolongs beyond a year or two, he seriously considers trading his rights. But it sounds like this kid is committed to going back and playing in the KHL.”
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Last March Valeri Nichushkin spoke with a Russian news outlet, and through google translate.
“Whatever money nor suggested. I want to play! What good I stay here, if the guys from the farm to come and play more than me? That is, the coach made it clear that trust anyone — not you.”
The Stars have a philosophy that until you prove you deserve a big raise, you do a short-term deal with a small raise when coming off an entry-level deal. The Stars did this with Cody Eakin, Brenden Dillon and Jamie Oleksiak. One difference when it comes to Nichushkin is that he had other options – KHL – the others really didn’t.