Could The Dallas Stars Make Moves To Push Into Playoffs?

Last night after the Dallas Stars fell to the Detroit Red Wings, Stars owner Tom Gaglardi joined Bob Sturm and Dan McDowell on the post game show and stated that, in regards to making a playoff push, the team would not be a “cap floor team.” This leaves the door open to the team making at least one move to get into the top eight in the conference and solidify a playoff spot for the first time in three seasons.  The question is, what moves are we talking about?  Trades?  Maybe nabbing someone off of waivers, seeing how the Stars have great luck with that so far (see Eric Nystrom).  Perhaps it won’t be a major personnel change, but moving some of the current roster around.

Last week, I posed the question as to what you would do if you were GM for a day and judging from the feedback I received via Twitter, it seemed as if several were on board with possibly trading Brenden Morrow or Mike Ribeiro for a high caliber forward such as Rick Nash (especially after he once again took it to the Stars when his Columbus Blue Jackets spoiled goaltender Kari Lehtonen’s return from injury).  One area which seemed to be met with resistance was perhaps looking at a physical defenseman such as Mike Commodore from the aforementioned Wings.  He was a plus-one last night against the Stars, and has seen his ice time rising as last night was his sixth consecutive game played.  I’m more on board with Commie coming on board, especially after the performance (not only last night, but recently) of Adam Pardy.  As the first free agent signing this summer, Pardy has significantly underperformed, and is seeing significant ice time due to injuries sustained to Sheldon Souray, Stephane Robidas, and now Philip Larsen.  Perhaps the writing is on the wall (much as it was with Andrew Raycroft, who was assigned to the Texas Stars last Wednesday) with call-ups of Texas Stars’ defensemen Jordie Benn and Brenden Dillon, that Pardy’s time with the Stars is waning.  However, unlike Raycroft, I feel a team like the Red Wings, who play a very skillful, east coast-type game, would benefit from Pardy over Commodore.

But what moves could be made if a trade isn’t available or doesn’t favor Dallas (don’t look to GM Joe Nieuwendyk to send picks away as he values those like gold coins)?  One glaring problem facing the Stars is their powerless power play.  Currently ranked 22nd, the Stars have already tried some shuffling by increasing Jamie Benn’s PP minutes and putting Larsen out there, but there seems to be more that can be done.  On July 1st, when the Stars secured Souray, I immediately envisioned a power play blue line consisting of “quarterback” Alex Goligoski and the cannon of Sheldon Souray.  Granted, there have been separate injuries to each, but even the short time they were healthy at the same time, it didn’t appear as if it crossed Gully’s mind to pair the two up.  Another idea, and even though they’re production has tailed off recently, is that third line that embodies everything “pesky.”  The line of Nystrom along with Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler has shown chemistry most seasoned lines would envy.  Their hard work along the boards and in the corners would maintain puck possession, which means more time for scoring chances.

I want to know what you think.  Who would you move?  Is there a trade that you’re just itching to pull the trigger on?  Are you content with where the team is and how they’ve been playing? Or do you want something more from the Dallas Stars?

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