If the recent report is accurate that Sheldon Souray has rejected a one-year, $3 million contract offer from the Stars, it is a puzzling decision by the veteran defenseman. Although teams tend to overpay for free agent defensemen of all stripes, the soon-to-be 36-year-old defenseman is unlikely to get more on the open market than what the Stars offered him.

First of all, the oft-injured Souray is subject to the NHL's over-35 contract rules if a team signs him to a multi-year deal. At maximum, he's going to get a two-year deal but he won't get more than that. Secondly, Souray's play dropped significantly (largely due to injuries) after his tremendous start last season. Last but not least, Souray is only a year removed from being largely unwanted around the NHL and the Stars offer was a handsome raise from what he took last year simply to have a chance to get back into the league.

For the Stars, the big question now is whether they should adjust their contract proposal to reach an agreement (I think a second year on contract would get it done) or simply start to look elsewhere. I'd be interested in hearing readers' views on the topic.



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Now that the NHL Draft and the start of free agency is fast approaching, I will be doing a series of Stars-related blogs over the next several weeks.

Tomorrow's topic: Whom should the Stars target with the 13th pick of the first round?

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