The Stars are among a handful of teams vying for free-agent defenseman Johnny Oduya, who was told Tuesday that he would not be able to return to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Oduya was waiting for Chicago to clear some salary-cap space, but the Blackhawks will not have enough, agent Don Meehan said. Meehan told reporters in Chicago that Oduya will not be signed by the Blackhawks.
Oduya, 33, is coming off a Stanley Cup championship season with Chicago. He is a smart defensive defenseman who could help balance out the Stars’ group of skilled defenders. Born in Stockholm, the left-handed Oduya might be a good fit with fellow Swede John Klingberg, who is a righty.