- Dallas Stars new general manager Joe Nieuwendyk has been wasting little time in re-signing his key players to long-term contract extensions. 

Days after re-upping defenseman Stephane Robidas to a long-term deal Niewendyk re-signed winger Loui Erikssen to a four-year contract worth $4.25 million per season. 

Niewendyk is following the trend of his peers in handing out big bucks for potential. The 24-year-old Eriksson had a breakout performance in 2008-09 with 36 goals and 63 points and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable season for the Stars. 

If the young Swede continues on that offensive pace he'll be well worth that new salary, which starts in 2010-11. 

- Scratch yet another defenseman off next summer's list of unrestricted free agents,

The battle between the NHL and Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie over the ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes has garnered considerable headlines over the past several months and is expected to be resolved by a bankruptcy court judge within the next two weeks.

If the judge rules in favor of Balsillie, who last week increased his bid to an eye-popping $242.5 million – far more than the franchise is worth –it could set in motion a legal challenge by the NHL to prevent him from moving the Coyotes to Hamilton, Ontario either this season or next.

If however the ruling goes in favor of the NHL, the league might be stuck with a money-losing franchise it might be unable to find a new owner for which it might have to eventually consider relocating anyway.

All of this is because the

The Dallas Stars addressed their need for a quality backup goaltender for Marty Turco today while the Ottawa Senators free up some valuable cap space, as the Senators shipped goaltender Alex Auld to the Stars in exchange for a sixth round pick (originally owned by the San Jose Sharks) in the 2010 entry draft. 

Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk wasted little time landing Auld, coming one day after losing out in the bidding for Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson. 

Auld, 29, has been a career backup and had a pretty good season with a struggling Senators team in 2008-09, with a 16-18-1 record in 41 games, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average. 

He's used to playing twenty or more games in a backup role, which will be invaluable in spelling off

New Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk added some defensive depth to his blueline corps today, signing former Florida Panthers defenseman Karlis Skrastins to a two-year, $2.75 million contract.

That will count as $1.375 million per season against the Stars’ cap, an affordable depth signing for a team looking for bargain rather than marquee talent.

Skrastins, a ten year NHL veteran, is a very good stay-at-home defenseman who seems to relish the physical game, particularly shot-blocking. He’s not going to post up many points but that’s not his style of game.  He should help the Stars blueline reduce its amount of shots against next season.