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09:37 PM CDT on Friday, June 29, 2007
By MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News
mheika@dallasnews.com

Doug Armstrong worked the phones furiously before and during last weekend's NHL draft. When the Stars general manager was done, he made very few changes to the team or its order of selection.

The lesson learned going into the NHL's annual free-agency season is Armstrong will pursue every angle he can to try to improve the team but might not be able to swing a deal.

"We've mapped out several ideas and plans, and we're going to try to pursue them," Armstrong said as he readied himself for the start of free agency on Sunday. "But, just like with the draft, there has to be a fit and there has to be a long-term benefit to the organization. I don't want to go out and do something just to say I did something."

Armstrong said the Stars are more in need of tweaks than an overhaul. Last summer, they bid adieu to Bill Guerin and Jason Arnott and acquired center Jeff Halpern. But the re-signing of Brenden Morrow to a six-year contract probably had the biggest impact on the team's free-agency plans for this summer and next.

This year, they will shed role players such as Eric Lindros, Patrik Stefan, Matthew Barnaby and maybe Darryl Sydor to make room for at least two younger players in Joel Lundqvist and Niklas Grossman.

The Stars' salary structure will allow for only one more contract similar to Morrow's. Marquee free agents like forwards Chris Drury, Ryan Smyth and Daniel Briere are going to command contracts lasting six or seven years. That could also be the case with potential high-profile free agents Joe Thornton in 2008 and Vincent Lecavalier in 2009.

"I can't comment on other teams' players, and I think making plans on anyone becoming a free agent is a little dangerous," Armstrong said. "But the bottom line is you have to be sure the player you sign for six or seven years is the right player. That's a tremendous commitment, especially in the era of the salary cap."

Would Drury complement Mike Modano for the long term? Is Smyth the physical goal-scorer who can push the Stars over the top in the playoffs? Armstrong has the ability to make those decisions, but he will be pushing himself hard against the salary cap.

The Stars have about $39 million committed to 16 players with a maximum roster of 23 and must negotiate contracts with about six restricted free agents, including center Mike Ribeiro (who could get a raise from $1.9 million to as much as $3 million per season).

The salary cap will be $50.3 million next season, as announced by the NHL on Friday. That would leave Dallas about $6 million in space. NHL rules allow a team to exceed the cap by 10 percent with a free-agent signing if the team gets below it before the season starts.

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