Are The Stars’ Second Line Center Hopes Crushed?

Well, things could not have gone from bad to worse in the last few hours for the Stars second line center hopes.

The recently announced news in the Stars case as reported by ESPN is that Jim Nill has already had talks with both the Ottawa Senators AND San Jose Sharks in regards to trading for Jason Spezza or Joe Thornton. So the man in the moustache has been busy behind our backs and that’s AWESOME… right?

It doesn’t seem so awesome anymore.

Joe Thornton to center?

Thornton, as reported in my article this morning, is a potential trade candidate that San Jose is looking to dispatch so they can commence their “fresh start” phase. Thornton is a valuable center that could seriously back up and ease the load of Stars’ franchise center, Tyler Seguin. Though on the Sharks trade block, Thornton holds the cards and has some good glue that will hold him in San Jose if he wants to stay. His no-trade clause that is attached to his contract is said glue. This little clause makes it impossible for Thornton to be traded unless HE, and only HE, waives it, in which he would be at the mercy of the Sharks front office.

But now it looks as though Thornton is hoping to stay in teal and black for next year, because he is not budging in the slightest on the clause issue. He says he wants to see what the “fans” say (whatever that means) and that’ll help him make his decision. But, considering there’s no way for him to get in contact with the “fans”, he may as well be considered a lost cause. But don’t think that going to stop Jim Nill from staying in the hunt. It’s just for now, don’t be looking for Jumbo Joe to be in Big D next year filling that necessary 2nd line center spot.

Jason Spezza to center?

Spezza has not just been a trade target for the Stars, but for most of the league as well. He had another tremendous season and remains atop the ranks of best centers in the league, and the Stars could also greatly use him in the dot on the second line to assist Seguin. After playing his entire NHL career as one of Ottawa’s top centers, he’s ready for a change, and the Stars are looking to offer him the chance of a lifetime. But he apparently doesn’t want their pity. Spezza is holding on to a “partial-trade clause”, which means that he is willing to lift it, but only if the right team suits his fancy. But he has a list of 10 “no-no” teams that he will not be playing for next year no matter the terms. As you can see, this has to be difficult on the Senators’ front office.

Spezza recently denied a request from the Nashville Predators, who is one of the teams on the deny list. So, unlike Joe he is willing to be dealt, but like Joe he holds the key to the future.

But guess who is reportedly on the list as well? Your Dallas Stars. Apparently Nill has been in contact with Ottawa but Spezza has halted the talks because he does not want to paly center for Dallas. But in a copy of the supposed list released a few days back, the Stars’ name was nowhere to be found. Hmm, interesting. What a mystery!

But the current report is that though Nill has expressed his want, both players are bearing their grudges and shunning Big D. So at the moment, it looks as though the Stars will be looking to get their feet wet on July 1st with the free agent market. This means that the most likely candidate will be Paul Stastny, though with Stastny talks being dead for a while in Dallas, that may not be an option anymore.

Now, these reports could be false and a deal with the top two could happen to bring a new center to the big city. But for now, I’m not seeing that as a possibility. No idea where to go from here? It’s okay, we’re all lost right now. But stay confident.

I believe in Jim Nill, and y’all need to stick with this motto as well. Just get ready for what is looking to be a frantic and eventful offseason for the Dallas Stars ahead. A second line center is key, and Nill will find a way to get his way.

Comments please if y’all got any and GO STARS.