This is where it could get difficult. Dallas could let Ott walk and go with Ribeiro, Richards, Wandell, and Sutherby at center. Modano may not retire locking up one of the center spots. Dallas could even re-sign Ott for him to play wing or even center.
If they're going to trade him or plan on not re-signing him, they should trade him right now when his value may never be higher. However, I think they should keep him. I've always like Steve Ott (even though seeing him on a scoring line use to drive me crazy). He proved this season that he doesn't look completely out of place in a Top 6 role, but more than any thing, he's a valuable teammate.
For a comparable contract, I'll go with Chris Kelly and Alexandre Burrows.
Chris Kelly: 4 years paying him $2.125 million. Signed as an UFA.
Alexandre Burrows: 4 years paying him $2 million. Signed as an UFA.
As far as his role, I think Ott will most likely be the checking line center with Sutherby and Sawada. I actually think he'll probably feel that role with those players this year as well.
Not saying theses will be the lines, but these are the players who are signed or we predicted a contract for:
| Brenden Morrow | Mike Ribeiro | Fabian Brunnstrom |
| James Neal | Brad Richards | Loui Eriksson |
| Jamie Benn | | |
| Brian Sutherby | | |
| Nicklas Grossman | Matt Niskanen |
| Mark Fistric | Trevor Daley |
| Karlis Skrastins | Ivan Vishnevskiy |
| Jeff Woywitka | |
Dallas Stars’ Salary Cap Information
| Forwards | 2010-11 |
| Brad Richards | $7,800,000 |
| Mike Ribeiro | $5,000,000 |
| Brenden Morrow | $4,100,000 |
| Loui Eriksson | $3,750,000 |
| Fabian Brunnstrom | $2,000,000 |
| James Neal | $2,000,000 |
| Jamie Benn | $821,667 |
| Brian Sutherby | $812,500 |
| Sean Avery | $1,937,500 |
| Mike Modano | UFA |
| Jere Lehtinen | UFA |
| Steve Ott | UFA |
| Krys Barch | UFA |
| Toby Petersen | UFA |
| Forward Total: | $28,221,667 |
| Defense | 2010-11 |
| Matt Niskanen | $2,750,000 |
| Nicklas Grossman | $2,000,000 |
| Trevor Daley | $2,300,000 |
| Karlis Skrastins | $1,375,000 |
| Mark Fistric | $1,000,000 |
| Ivan Vishnevskiy | $821,667 |
| Jeff Woywitka | $650,000 |
| Stephane Robidas | UFA |
| Andrew Hutchinson | UFA |
| Defense Total: | $10,896,667 |
| Goalies | 2010-11 |
| Marty Turco | UFA |
| Alex Auld | UFA |
| Goal Total: | $0 |
| Forward: | $28,221,667 |
| Defense: | $10,896,667 |
| Goalie: | $0 |
| Team Cap Hit: | $39,118,334 |
