Panthers Acquire Krys Barch from Stars for Jake Hauswirth

The Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday that they have acquired right wing Krys Barch and a sixth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft from the Dallas Stars in exchange for left wing Jake Hauswirth and a fifth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. In 10 games with the Stars this season, Barch has no points and 23 penalty minutes. Hauswirth has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 17 games with Rio Grande of the CHL. Not a bad depth move for the Panthers, as the team was in need of an enforcer and Barch will help fill that role. He plays with lots of grit and toughness, but don't expect him to score very many points, as he doesn't have a lot of offensive skill. He wasn't being used very much in Dallas so he should see more ice time in Florida. As for the Stars, they get a marginal prospect in Hauswirth who has some bottom-six forward skill, but is probably still a few seasons away from seeing any NHL action.

Stars Sign Forward Barch to Two-Year Extension

The Dallas Morning News is reporting that the Dallas Stars have signed left wing Krys Barch to a two-year contract extension worth $1.675 million. The deal will pay him $825,000 next season and $850,000 in 2011-12. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 63 games last season with the Stars, he had six assists and 130 penalty minutes. Not a bad depth signing for the Stars, as Barch plays with lots of grit and toughness. He's not afraid to drop the gloves and fight and is a great energy winger on the team's third and fourth lines, just don't expect to see him score very many points, as he doesn't have a lot of offensive upside.