The Dallas Stars will be entering into an offseason of many questions in less than a month. Do they keep the same team that developed a hot streak towards the end of the year? Do they go through a massive period of change? If so, what departments need tweaking? Do they keep their free agents?
These questions headline the Stars potential opportunities come July 1st, and even Stars fans are split on what should happen.
On a different note, the New Jersey Devils organization seems to have a clear path. That path is rebuild.
After competing and eventually losing in the Stanley Cup Final in 2012, the Devils have been heading downhill. Now after three straight losing seasons with a worse finish in each passing year, it looks like it’s time for a change.
Now they’ve changed their bench manager and are serious candidates for a rebuild. After losing workhorse veteran Jaromir Jagr in a trade, their depth is slim and narrow. Their highest point grabber was Adam Henrique with an astounding 43. Multiply that by two and add one and you have Jamie Benn’s total. This is where their offense alone currently stands. That’s a scary, scary place to be.
But this could end up being a win-win scenario for both the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.
In the midst of the 2013 draft, the New Jersey Devils acquired goaltender Cory Schneider from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a first round pick.
Schneider shared the starting role with Martin Brodeur for the 13-14 season, and eventually was awarded the full time job for 14-15. Though the Devils were far from quality, Schneider may have been the piece that kept them from anarchy.
In 2014-2015, Cory Schneider posted a record of 26-31-9. Though this was a pitiful record, Schneider’s save percentage finished at .925 along with a 2.26 goals against average. These two statistics are phenomenal, and something the Dallas Stars could definitely use in a goaltending department that lacks solid consistency.
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Bleacher Report stated in a recent article that Schneider would be perfect trade material if they pursued a rebuild.
Schneider, 28, is in the prime of his career. His contract has him inked through the 2022 season. This would make him a valuable trade asset. Only problem is he is set to earn $4,000,000 next season, and then jumps to $6,000,000 for the rest of his contract duration. With the Stars current cap situation, that sort of contract would not be possible without dealing a player or two in exchange.
The first idea that would pop up would be to deal Kari Lehtonen straight up. Two big-money contracts along with two near middle-aged goalies would be the perfect swap. But the Devils may be focused on rebuilding around a younger goalie. It would require a lot in a trade, so the Stars would need to be willing to deal some big assets and picks. The Stars may not even be interested in goaltending, but the choices on defense are plentiful as well.
Giving away a younger defenseman or mid-range forward such as Jamie Oleksiak or Colton Sceviour could work. But it would all matter on what Jim Nill is willing to offer. Whatever happens, Cory Schneider is definitely worth the risk. It’s just one of many theories in the dark, twisted fantasy that is the Stars’ offseason.
Now for all the New Jersey Devils fans that are thinking I’ve gone completely bonkers, that’s a possibility. NJ would be smart to keep Schneider and build around him, which most NJ fans are suggesting. But Buffalo would’ve been smart to rebuild around Ryan Miller, but he was dealt soon after. So hold your tongue for just a second and understand anything is possible. I most assuredly believe that NJ won’t move Schneider, but it’s educating to look at the possibilities.
Next: Dallas Stars Free Agents: Who's Staying And Who's Going
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