Stars Sign Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler

The Dallas Stars announced on the first day of free agency that they have signed right wing Radek Dvorak to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million and left wing Vernon Fiddler to a three-year contract worth $5.4 million. Fiddler's deal will average out to $1.8 million per season. In 66 games last season with the Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers, Dvorak had seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points. Fiddler appeared in 71 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, scoring six goals and 16 assists for 22 points. These aren't bad depth signings for the Stars, as both players will bring plenty of offensive depth to the team. Dvorak will bring plenty of two-way skill to the wing, as well as experience to the penalty kill. He should be an effective third line forward for the Stars. Fiddler has solid defensive skill, is good on faceoffs, can play an agitating brand of hockey, and is good on the penalty kill. He should be an excellent checking line forward for the team.

Thrashers Acquire Dvorak from Panthers for Bergfors, Rissmiller

In the first trade on Trade Deadline Day, the Atlanta Thrashers have acquired right wing Radek Dvorak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for right wing Niclas Bergfors and left wing Patrick Rissmiller. Dvorak and Rissmiller will be unrestricted free agents this summer, while Bergfors will be eligible for restricted free agency. In 53 games with the Panthers, Dvorak has seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points. Bergfors has 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 52 games with the Thrashers, while Rissmiller has no points on only one game. He has spent the majority of the season with Lake Erie of the AHL. This trade works for both teams. Dvorak brings plenty of two-way skill, lots of experience on the penalty kill, and veteran offensive depth to the Thrashers as they make a push for the playoffs. The Panthers get a young scorer in Bergfors to help them in their rebuilding process. Despite struggling in Atlanta this season, he has plenty of offensive potential and could become a steady scorer for Florida. Rissmiller brings veteran offensive depth down the wing, but could continue to play in the minors for the rest of the season, depending on how many players the Panthers deal throughout the day.

EDIT

The Thrashers also acquired a fifth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft from the Panthers in the trade.

Panthers Sign Forwards Booth and Dvorak to New Contracts

The Florida Panthers announced on Wednesday that they have signed right wing Radek Dvorak and left wing David Booth to contract extensions. Dvorak signed a two-year deal worth $3.4 million, which averages out to $1.7 million per season, while Booth signed a six-year contract worth $25.5 million. His deal averages out to $4.25 million per season. Dvorak would have become an unrestricted free agent on July1, while Booth would have been a restricted free agent and a likely candidate for an offer sheet. In 72 games last season with the Panthers, Booth scored 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points, all career highs for the young forward. Dvorak appeared in 81 games last season, scoring 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 points. In 976 career games, he has 194 goals and 308 assists for 502 points with the Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, and Florida Panthers.

These are two solid signings for the Panthers. Booth has a tremendous amount of offensive talent, especially on the power play. He has a knack for scoring goals and will likely become the Panthers’ top forward in the very near future. Dvorak’s production has dropped in recent seasons, but he can still contribute offensively and gives the team plenty of veteran depth. Next season, Dvorak will likely play on the checking line, providing the Panthers with two-way play.