NHL After 15 seasons, veteran relocates

Teppo Numminen ended his long stay with the Jets-Coyotes franchise.
DALLAS (AP) -- Teppo Numminen, for the last 15 years the one constant for the NHL franchise that moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix, is now a member of the Dallas Stars.
A defenseman who played the most games in the history of the Jets-Coyotes franchise, Numminen relaxed his no-trade clause and allowed the deal with Dallas to be made on Tuesday.
It was part of a three-way trade that also sent defenseman Darryl Sydor from the Stars to the Columbus Blue Jackets, center Mike Sillinger from Columbus to Phoenix and brought Dallas a second-round pick in next year's entry draft from the Blue Jackets.
Wanted a change
While Numminen said he leaves behind good memories, he also "just felt that it's time for a change."
"The last year ... kind of wore me out," he said during a conference call. "I just felt that I needed a new start, something different."
Numminen signed a $4.5 million, one-year deal on June 30, but also told the club where he would be willing to be traded.
The Stars were happy to be on that list, but felt that giving up Sydor in a one-for-one trade was too much.
The second-round pick was the deal-maker. Another factor was salary relief -- Sydor had four years left on a $15.8 million, five-year deal signed before last season.
"The length of the contract, the ability to acquire potentially a very good prospect with a second-round pick and acquiring a player of equal caliber back in return made it seem like it was a good mix for us," Dallas general manager Doug Armstrong said. "You have to include everything. Contracts are part of it, as are length of a contract. Everything goes into it."
Legacy
Numminen leaves as the franchise's leader in games played (1,098), and ranks first among defensemen in team history in goals (108), assists (426) and points (534). Among all players in franchise history, he's third in career assists and fourth in points.
He was named the 14th captain in club history on Sept. 15, 2001, serving in that role the past two seasons. He had at least 30 points the last six seasons.
"I think it's good that it happens during the summer," he said. "That's going to help me getting used to a new situation, a new team and all the stuff that comes with it."
Second player
Numminen is the second player Dallas acquired in the last week who is breaking a long tie to one organization. The Stars signed Don Sweeney, who spent his entire 15-year career with Boston.
Those additions were needed because the Stars lost Derian Hatcher, their captain and defensive anchor, who signed with Detroit earlier this month.
Sydor, a member of the Stars for 71/2 seasons, may be best remembered for crawling across the ice during a Stanley Cup finals game despite a serious knee injury.
Sydor had 62 goals and 238 assists in 575 games with Dallas.