"My job is to worry about today and to worry about the franchise in the future," Nill said at a press conference at American Airlines Center introducing Peter DeBoer as Dallas coach after he was hired for the position Tuesday. "So I'm working on a succession plan for Tom that is three, four, five, six years down the road. That's what I'm working on. I'm part of that. I will be the GM here for a few more years, but that's what we're working on right now."
Nill is entering the final season of a five-year contract extension he signed with the Stars in 2016. DeBoer said Nill's presence played a major role in his decision to come to Dallas.
"Jim Nill
, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 13, had 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 76 games this season and three points (two goals, one assist) in seven playoff games.
Robertson
, in his third season, had an NHL career-high 79 points (41 goals, 38 assists) in 74 games, second on the Stars behind forward Joe Pavelski, and four points (one goal, three assists) in seven playoff games.
Oettinger
, in his second NHL season, emerged as Dallas' No. 1 goalie and went 30-15-1 with a 2.53 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and one shutout in 48 games (46 starts), and 3-4 with a 1.81 GAA, .954 save percentage and one shutout in seven playoff games.
Robertson and Oettinger each can become a restricted free agent July 13.
Nill said the door has not closed on re-signing top pair defenseman John Klingberg, a pending unrestricted free agent. Each side expressed mutual interest in trying to negotiate a contract after the Stars' season ended.
Klingberg had 47 points (six goals, 41 assists) in 74 games this season and one assist in seven playoff games.
"I've been talking to his agent also," Nill said. "That's also, like I said, discussions. A lot of these things hinge, unfortunately you guys (media) don't want to hear it, but the cap comes into play."
That's why Nill said he has been in touch with every general manager around the NHL.
"Do we make moves that creates some extra cap room so I can do other things and sign some free agents? That's what I'm probably trying to do," Nill said.
"That's what every other team is trying to do."
