Six Stars Extended Qualifying Offers
Ryan Garbutt, one of the 6 signed (Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)
And the hits just keep on coming. Dallas announced today that they have extended qualifying offers to six players, five of whom players that we’ve had the privilege of getting to see firsthand at the Cedar Park Center. Here’s the news release from Dallas:
Frisco, TX - The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has extended qualifying offers to the following six players:
Angelo Esposito, Mikhail Stefanovich, Michael Neal and Jake Hauswirth did not receive qualifying offers. Teams are required to extend a one-year “qualifying offer” to any current restricted free agent by June 25 in order to receive the right of the first refusal or draft choice compensation should that respective player sign an offer sheet with another NHL club.
The qualifying offers will expire at 4 p.m. (Central Time) on Thursday, July 15. Qualifying offers fall into three categories:
1. A player whose prior year salary was equal or less than $660,000 must receive a qualifying offer of 110% of their prior year’s salary.
2. A player whose prior year salary was more than $660,000 and up to $1 million must receive a qualifying offer of 105% of their prior year’s salary (but in no event shall such qualifying offer exceed $1 million)
3. A player whose prior year salary was more than $1 million must receive a qualifying offer at 100% of their prior year’s salary. If a team does not give a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent, he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and can sign with any team with no compensation required to the player’s former club. (source: Dallas Stars Website)
It was no big surprise that the five players who spent a majority of their time over the last few years with the Texas Stars were extended qualifying offers. Bachman certainly made an impression with Dallas after he was called up, and he quickly replaced Andrew Raycroft as the NHL backup. Garbutt also caught the eye of Dallas after he was called up, and was eventually left off of the AHL’s Clear Day Roster as it was certain he would be spending the rest of the season with the NHL. Benn has been a core contributor from the blue line. The veteran play maker Sceviour deserves his shot at the NHL this year, hopefully Dallas can make him an integral part of their lineup. The 6’3 powerhouse Gazdic will undoubtedly round out Texas’ fourth line.
The only surprise was that Angelo Esposito was not made a qualifying offer. It was the opinion of many that, after Esposito got traded for Ondrej Roman last year, that Texas got the better end of that deal. Esposito registered 16 points in 38 games with Texas and quickly became a fan favorite after his arrival. But as we all know, there is a business behind the game, and Esposito was left out of this particular transaction. He may not fit into the long-term plans Dallas has for Texas. Bachman, Sceviour, Garbutt, Benn, Fistric and Gazdic have until July 15th to accept or reject their offers. It is my hope that they will all stay with the Stars organization.
