A Look Back And Thank You To Erik Cole’s Time In Dallas

Erik Cole was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for two prospects and a pick last night just moments before the Dallas Stars faced off against the Anaheim Ducks in what would eventually be a 3-1 loss for them. With the loss and giving away Cole, the Stars cemented themselves as a “seller” at the trade deadline today, though they made no other noise after the Cole deal. Being nine points out of a playoff spot with less than 20 game to play in the season is not the ideal situation to be in, and the Stars may already be looking forward to next season.

But aside from the depression of a six-game skid and a now slim chance of qualifying for the postseason, we thought that today would be a good day to give a quick remembrance and thank you to Erik Cole for everything he did in Dallas.

Erik Cole came to the Dallas Stars on February 26th, 2013, in a trade during the 2012-2013 lockout-shortened season with the Montreal Canadiens. The Stars received Erik Cole and parted ways with F Michael Ryder and a 3rd round draft pick that eventually turned out to be Connor Crisp. Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk made the trade happen, to give you a perspective of the timeline.

When Cole arrived in Dallas, he was flexed in between lines and used as a promising piece that could be put anywhere. Throughout the lockout year, Cole scored six goals and tallied one assist as a Star through 28 games, including his first goal coming in just his second game as a member of the organization.

At the beginning of the “New Star Rising” year, Cole was pinned on the top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. When it turned out to be a bit of an awkward mix, Cole was shifted back to the lower lines, where it was learned that he was a valuable secondary scoring threat. Some nagging neck injuries held him in check for some parts of the season, but at the end of the year, he had put away 16 goals and 13 assists through 75 games. This included the game winner at “Modano Night” on March 8th against the Minnesota Wild.

The 2013-2014 offseason was a bit of a mystery, as rumors floated that Cole might be dealt due to his big contract. Cole’s contract guaranteed him $18,000,000 over four years, with the fourth and final year being the 2014-2015 season before he became an unrestricted free agent. July 1st came and went, and Cole remained on the team. Once the acquisitions of Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky were made, it was assumed that Erik Cole would step into the left wing slot on the second line and wreak havoc with them. And wreak havoc this year they did.

After hitting a slow patch early, Cole burst on the scene towards the end of his time in Dallas, and finished with 18 goals and 15 assists, along with 116 hits in which he led the team with. Cole was in third place on the Stars roster for most goals scored, only bested by Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.

As the Dallas Stars began a slow demise, Cole’s name was resurrected as a hot trade topic. With the final year of his deal in play at age 36, he was viewed as a good addition to a team in good position for a Cup run looking for veteran leadership. Cole participated in morning skate with the Stars on March 1st, and noted in an interview that he was only focused on the game that night and helping the team out. The Stars finalized the trade a few minutes before puck drop. Giving up Cole was a help to their salary cap, though they lost another prime scorer in addition to Tyler Seguin.

Cole is a valuable presence in front of the net as well as along the boards, and knows the fore check well. His secondary scoring is a key piece to his overall performance, and he will make a great addition in Detroit. The trade worked out for both teams, and everyone will move on now.

But here’s to Erik Cole for his three seasons in Dallas. Thanks for all the services on ice that helped the Stars continue their push to become a legitimate threat in the NHL. Thanks for the legendary mustaches we got to experience for two Movembers. They will be missed.

The Stars take on the New York Islanders Tuesday night in Dallas, looking for a way to stop the bleeding in a six game drought and make a final push for the postseason.