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Is Oduya indeed ‘the missing piece’ for the Stars?

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six

2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Six

NHLI via Getty Images

The Dallas Stars continued to make waves by signing Johnny Oduya, and from the sound of things, GM Jim Nill is convinced that they now have the makings of a winner.

And not just “winners of the offseason.”

Nill goes as far as to call the 33-year-old the “missing piece” of the Stars’ defense: a steady hand, puck-mover and fitness fanatic who could be a good influence for the many young blueliners in Dallas:

Indeed, on paper, the Stars look awfully scary.

They’ve added Patrick Sharp to an offensive mix that includes Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. Nill didn’t flinch in spending on goaltending, as the Antti Niemi - Kari Lehtonen combo costs a whopping $10.4 million. Now their blueline adds some experience to a group that’s heavier on potential.

Of course, there’s another reason Nill believes that the picture is near-complete: Dallas doesn’t have much money left.

With Oduya’s (quite reasonable) $3.75 million cap hit in mind, the Stars only have about $2.3 million in space remaining, according to General Fanager. For a team that plays in a somewhat erratic hockey market and missed the playoffs entirely in 2014-15, the pressure is on.

At least Oduya is used to big-time pressure though, right?