Nill expects to sign Nichushkin to two-year deal on July 1

Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill said he expects to announce a contract with forward Valeri Nichushkin when free agency opens on July 1.
The Russian news outlet R-Sport reported earlier this month that the Stars and Nichushkin had agreed on a two-year deal. Nill indicated Thursday evening that report was on the money.

"That's what I am anticipating. We can announce the signing on July 1, and it's going to be a two-year deal," Nill said. "It's going to be good for him, give him a chance to come back and prove himself in the NHL. We'll see where he's at."
The 23-year-old Nichushkin, whom the Stars selected in the first round (10th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft, played three seasons with Dallas, tallying 64 points (23 goals, 41 assists) in 166 games. After the 2015-16 season, he returned to his native Russia where he has played the past two seasons with CSKA in the KHL. This past season he tallied 27 points (16 goals, 11 assists) in 50 games, ranking third on the team in goals and fifth in points.
The Stars retained Nichushkin's NHL rights while he was in Russia and now he is poised to return to Dallas.

"Getting Val Nichushkin back is going to be very important for us. I think we are getting a more mature player back," Nill said.
"We've been watching him play over in Russia. He's been playing for the Russian national team. We're getting a player back that is still very young. He's 23, and he is really starting to hit his prime, and we're excited about his development. He's excited to be back here."
Nichushkin's first season in the NHL was promising. He scored 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games as an 18-year-old in his first season in North America. The following season he was limited to just eight games due to a hip issue that required surgery. In 2015-16, he recorded 29 points (9 goals, 20 assists) in 79 games
Stars captain Jamie Benn, a frequent linemate of Nichushkin's during his time in Dallas, sees the Russian forward as a boost to the Dallas lineup.
"If he ends up coming back, I am sure he'll help our team," Benn said. "Hopefully, he's matured a bit and grown his game. He's got so much potential. He's a big, young kid and he was pretty good when he was here at 18. Is he 23 now? He should impact our team in a positive way."

High expectations for Heiskanen

Nill said that defenseman Miro Heiskanen, the team's first-round pick (third overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft, will not attend next week's development camp after a busy 2017-18 season. Heiskanen played a lot of hockey, including league play, World Juniors, the Olympics, and the World Championship. As a result, the Stars will not have Heiskanen make the trip over from Finland for next week's camp, which will include several of the team's top prospects.
Heiskanen, who turns 19 next month, will play in North America next season and has an excellent chance of cracking the NHL roster. He is expected to come to Dallas in August to start getting acclimated to the area and then play at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan before heading to Stars training camp in Idaho.
"Miro Heiskanen is one of the top prospects out of last year's draft," Nill said. "What he did this year as a player, playing World Juniors, Olympics, World Championship, at 18 years of age and being one of the top players at those events, that's pretty impressive. We've got high expectations for him. I don't want to put too much pressure on his shoulders but a player that has done what he has done I think is going to have a big impact on our team moving forward."
Heiskanen was named the best defenseman in Finland's top league last season, recording 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 30 games and leading all players in the league in average ice time at 25:06 per game.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. Follow him on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.