The Dallas Stars made their second significant free agent re-signing of this spring by signing forward Toby Petersen to a two year, $1.1 million contract.

Petersen’s new salary will count as $550K per season against the Stars salary cap.

The well-travelled Petersen has spent the last eight seasons split between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and all their respective farm teams, never seeming to stick with an NHL team for long as a marginal checking line forward.

Indeed, this past season the 29-year-old Petersen played only 8 regular season games with the Stars and appeared headed to this summer’s UFA market

His energetic play however during the Stars surprising run to the Western Conference final not only earned him playing time in all but two of Dallas’ 18 playoff games this spring but also kudos for his speed and hard work, and a new two-year contract with the Stars.

Former Star Niko Kapanen has decided to sign with Russian team AK Bars Kazan for next season.

Kapanen, 30, played last season with the Phoenix Coyotes. He began his NHL career with the Dallas Stars in 2001-02, playing four seasons with the Stars and one with the Atlanta Thrashers until he was dealt to the Coyotes in February 2007, all in checking line roles.

With the Coyotes pushing their youth movement it was unlikely Kapanen would’ve been re-signed and he’ll likely earn more money in Russia than he would’ve received in this summer’s UFA market, if there were any interest in his services.