Niko Kapanen, 26 years of age, appeared in 67 games with the Stars last season, posting up on the board one goal and five assists for a total of six points. Plus he also played one playoff game against the Colorado, Avalanche, getting a goal in Game One.

But, just two seasons ago with the Stars, Kapanen appeared in over 82 games and registered five goals and 29 assists for a total of 34 points and also 44 penalty minutes and a +25 rating. He was among the NHL rookies two years ago, when he finished first in assists, first in plus/minus, and also tied for first in shorthanded goals (1), and tied for first in shorthanded points (1) and fifth in scoring. Niko, the 5-9, 180-pound center, showed his face in the 2003 Topps/Youngstars Game in Florida on Feb. 1, 2003 and was the only player on the Western Conference to record a "plus" rating (+1).

Did we metion Niko loves Patrick Roy? , he scored the first three goals of his NHL career against former Colorado netminder Roy in three different games in his rookie season, when it came to the Entry Draft, Niko Kapanen was the Dallas Stars' sixth round selection (173rd overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. In 158 career NHL contests with Dallas, he has notched a total of six goals and 35 assists for 41 points with 62 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 13 career playoff games over the past two seasons, he has recorded five goals and three assists for a total of eight points.