NHL Rumors: Lauri Korpikoski signs with Dallas Stars

According to Mike Heika, the Dallas Stars will sign forward Lauri Korpikoski to a one-year deal worth $1 million. 

Perhaps no NHL team has been hit as hard by injuries during the preseason than the Dallas Stars. With Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn already rehabbing from injuries, they have also lost centers Cody Eakin and Mattias Janmark. They also lost Valeri Nichushkin to the KHL. To make up for these losses, the Stars have reportedly signed veteran forward Lauri Korpikoski to a one-year deal.

Korpikoski should provide the Stars with a cheap fourth line option. He will most likely take Janmark’s spot on the roster. His possession numbers are not encouraging. However, his presence will keep the Stars from rushing their prospects. Korpikoski was last seen playing for the Edmonton Oilers. He got a PTO from the Calgary Flames earlier this offseason.

In 2015-16, Korpikoski had 10 goals and 22 points in 71 games while averaging 13:56 of ice time per game. He adds a little bit of offense to the Stars fourth line, which should be helpful. However, his defense isn’t strong. Not only have his teams been outshot and outscored while he’s on the ice, his plus-minus rating hasn’t been positive since the 2011-12 season.

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Korpikoski has played for the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, and Edmonton Oilers. In 540 career regular season games, he has 78 goals and 181 points. His career plus-minus rating of -54 is concerning, but the Stars need help, so taking a flyer on him is worth it.

Expect to see Korpikoski help the Stars’ penalty kill. He rarely finds himself in the penalty box with a career high of just 24 penalty minutes. Over the past two seasons, Korpikoski has a combined 22 penalty minutes. He spent over 150 minutes last season killing penalties. If he doesn’t work out, the Stars can cut him loose.