Stars wait on Day 1 of free agency
The Stars' version of Waiting for Gustavsson entered Act II on Wednesday. While Dallas continued to wait to see if free agent Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson would select them as the team with which he will sign, the drama increased on the first day of free agency when three key goalie targets were signed by other teams. ``It's a bit frustrating, but we have confidence in the player and we want to see if he picks us,'' said Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk. ``We're hoping the decision will come (Thursday).'' Gustavsson, 24, led his team to the Swedish Elite League championship in the spring and visited four NHL teams last month _ Dallas, Toronto, Colorado and San Jose. He was expected to select his team by Tuesday, but still has not decided. In the meantime, three goalies who were on the Stars' radar signed with other teams on the first day of free agency. Craig Anderson signed a two-year deal with Colorado for an average of $1.8 million season (likely taking the Avalanche out of the race for Gustavsson), Ty Conklin signed with St. Louis for two years at $1.2 million a season, and Scott Clemmensen signed with Florida for three years at $1.2 million per season. ``There are some good players who are gone, but you just have to stay patient and believe it's going to work out. Nieuwendyk said he talked to defenseman Sergei Zubov on Wednesday morning, and that he also will remain patient with the defenseman who is recovering from hip surgery. Zubov is studying the free agent market, but will probably bring any offer he receives back to the Stars. ``I expect him to do that,'' Nieuwendyk said. ``I think he'll keep us in the loop, and I think he definitely considers us an option.'' Of the players who played in Dallas last season and became unrestricted free agents, only Steve Begin was signed. The checking line forward signed a one year deal with the Boston Bruins for $850,000.
_Mike Heika
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