Stars Add Michael Ryder, Sheldon Souray, Jake Dowell

The Dallas Stars announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed right wing Michael Ryder to a two-year contract worth $7 million and defenseman Sheldon Souray and center Jake Dowell to one-year contracts worth $1.65 million and $800,000, respectively. Ryder's deal will pay him $3.5 million per season, while Souray was signed as an unrestricted free agent after the Edmonton Oilers bought out the final year of his contract. In 79 games last season with the Boston Bruins, Ryder had 18 goals and 23 assists for 41 points. He helped the Bruins win their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history this past June. In 40 games last season with Hershey of the AHL, Souray had four goals and 15 assists for 19 points and 85 penalty minutes. He hasn't played in the NHL since the 2009-10 season with the Edmonton Oilers. Dowell had six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 79 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. These aren't bad signings for the Stars, as all three players will bring plenty of depth to the team. Ryder will bring some goal-scoring ability to the forward lines, as well as lots of skill to the power play despite being woefully inconsistent in his scoring. Perhaps being reunited with Mike Ribeiro, whom he played with in Montreal from 2003 to 2006, will help him regain some of the scoring touch he had early in his career. Souray will bring a great shot, plenty of leadership skills, some grit, as well as lots of offensive skill to the blueline and power play. However, he is extremely prone to injury, which has effected his skills at the NHL level at times. The Stars were wise to sign him to a short-term, inexpensive contract in case he should struggle next season. Look for him to have a bounce-back season in 2011-12 to prove to the rest of the league he still has the ability to play in the NHL. Dowell will bring plenty of energy, grit, and defensive skill to the checking lines in Dallas.

Blackhawks Re-Sign Bolland, Dowell, & Niemi

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed centers Dave Bolland and Jake Dowell, and goaltender Antti Niemi to contract extensions, just days before the start of free agency. Bolland was signed to a five-year contract worth $16.875 million, which averages out to $3.375 million per season. Dowell signed a two-year extension, while Niemi was re-signed for one year. Terms of their deals were not disclosed. All three players would have become restricted free agents on July 1, with Bolland the most likely of the trio to receive an offer sheet. Last season, Bolland appeared in 81 games, scoring 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points and 52 penalty minutes, all career highs for the young forward. Dowell appeared in only one game with the Blackhawks in 2008-09, scoring no points. In 20 career games over two season with Chicago, he has two goals and one assist for three points. In three games last season for the Blackhawks, Niemi posted a 1-1-1 record with a GAA of 3.40 and a .864 save percentage.

Signing Bolland to a long-term contract is a good move for the Blackhawks, as he showed last season that he is capable of putting up decent numbers. His two-way skills and toughness will make him a valuable part of the team, especially on the checking lines, for years to come. If he can up his offensive production over the next couple of season, he could become an affordable top-six forward for the Blackhawks. Dowell is a very physical forward who could play an enforcer role with the team in the near future. If the team cuts loose Ben Eager to save salary cap space to re-sign players like Martin Havlat, Cam Barker, and Kris Versteeg, Dowell could jump to the Blackhawks next season as one of their top enforcers. Niemi enjoyed plenty of success in the Finnish league before signing with the Blackhawks last season. His solid goaltending skills could challenge Corey Crawford for the back-up role next season if Nikolai Khabibulin is not retained over the summer.