Writer Eric Duhatschek explored the momentous trade between Dallas and Calgary.
He said it once and then repeated his point later in the conversation. It was as if Joe Nieuwendyk wanted to ensure one message got out: the best thing about his joining the Dallas Stars in a three-player deal with the Calgary Flames was the commitment his new team made to him.
That commitment took the shape of a five-year, $11.1-million contract that will pay Nieuwendyk $1.7 million for this season, then $2 million, $2.2 and two final years at $2.6 million.
The Flames surrendered Nieuwendyk-who hadn’t played for Calgary this season because of a contract impasse-to the Stars minutes before the NHL’s 10-day Christmas trading freeze. In exchange, they received center Corey Millen, plus 18-year-old right wing prospect Jarome Iginla.
The crux of Nieuwendyk’s dispute with the Flames centered on commitment as much as it did money. The Flames were not prepared to offer Nieuwendyk, 29, a long-term contract, in part because of his injury history. Nieuwendyk has suffered two knee injuries-one in 1990, the other in 1993.
More recently, he has been bothered by a herniated disc in his back that requires daily maintenance. It only prevented him from playing in four of Calgary’s 55 regular season and playoff games last season, but two of those came in the playoffs. Without Nieuwendyk in the lineup, the Flames lost both.
“The biggest thing is the commitment Dallas made to me,” Nieuwendyk said. “A five-year contract is a big positive for me; that they showed that commitment to me.”
In Nieuwendyk, the Stars received the Flames’ all-time goal-scoring leader. The Calder Trophy winner as NHL rookie of the year in 1987-88, Nieuwendyk scored 50 goals in each of his first two seasons. During the first eight seasons of his career, he averaged a goal every other game.
By adding Nieuwendyk, the Stars now boast a potent 1-2 punch down the middle. Ultimately, he will take some of the scoring pressure off the team’s other marquee player, center Mike Modano, and provide Dallas with a more balanced attack. The Stars were last in the Western Conference in scoring Dec. 18, the day of the trade.
Nieuwendyk can instantly jump-start a power play. Few NHLers can match his eye-to-hand coordination in front of the net which, over time, has resulted in many tip-in goals. Moreover, Nieuwendyk possesses good first-step acceleration and isn’t afraid to carry a defenseman on his back as he drives to the net. This can either result in a scoring chance or a penalty against the opposition.
Of the two, Modano is the more graceful player; Nieuwendyk, by contrast, is not afraid to dig in front of the net. One is Mr. Inside, the other Mr. Outside. They should complement one another.
The only similarity is both are essentially goal-scoring centers, so they will require playmaking wingers to maximize their contributions. Just who in the Stars’ lineup will develop the right chemistry with Nieuwendyk remains to be seen.
In his best years in Calgary, he was flanked by a gritty power forward (usually Gary Roberts) on one side and a skilled European (Hakan Loob, Sergei Makarov) on the other.
Nieuwendyk reported to the Stars just before Christmas and had no points in two games.
“I’ve been waiting a long time,” Nieuwendyk said, “but now I’ve got half-a-year left, I’m awfully excited by the chance to get back to work.”
It’s a thought seconded by Stars’ coach-GM Bob Gainey.
“This doesn’t guarantee a playoff spot,” Gainey said, “but it’s a step in the right direction.”
For the Flames’ part, they key is clearly Iginla. The Stars’ first-round pick in the 1995 entry draft (11th overall), his stock in on the rise, but like any prospect, he’s unproven.
The 31-year-old Millen, meanwhile, gives the Flames more of what they already have: another small center. While he has enjoyed some success in his previous NHL stops-three straight 20-or-more-goal seasons with the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils in the early l990s-he had seen limited action with the Stars this season after being acquired for Neal Broten last year.
THN Archive is an exclusive vault of 2,640 issues and more than 156,000 for subscribers, chronicling the complete history of The Hockey News from 1947 until today. Visit THN.com/archive and subscribe today at subscribe.thehockeynews.com