The Dallas Stars aren’t used to the process of arbitration and all that it can involve. General manager Jim Nill is known for being quick with transactions and agreements, wasting little time in negotiating with his restricted free agents and avoiding arbitration hearings altogether.
That’s a good quality to have until you’re forced into a situation where an arbitration hearing is practically imminent. And that’s what the Stars now have with Gemel Smith.
On July 5, the Dallas Stars still had work to do with their extensive free agent class.