There had been questions about whether the Stars would tender Arnott a qualifying offer by June 30 or let him become an unrestricted free agent. That question has now been answered. Arnott signed the $3.85 million qualifying offer.
With Arnott under contract, it could mean that forward Valeri Bure, another restricted free agent, may not be back next season. The thought was that the Stars would not keep both Arnott and Bure because of payroll concerns.
It could also be a precursor to the Stars trying to move forward Bill Guerin, who has been the subject of a lot of trade speculation heading into this weekend's NHL Entry Draft in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The signing of Klemm is a big boost to the Stars' depth at defense, which looked pretty thin after last season ended. Klemm will make $1.5 million per year over the next two seasons.
With veteran Don Sweeney also being re-signed, the Stars now have Klemm, Sweeney, Sergei Zubov, Philippe Boucher and Trevor Daley under contract for next season. John Erskine, a restricted free agent, is expected to be tendered a qualifying offer.
It's also a sign that Richard Matvichuk, an unrestricted free agent, will probably not return. That has been speculated since the end of last season.
Edited by LoboFan07, 24 June 2004 - 02:16 PM.
