The Dallas Stars are entering a rather enticing and adventurous offseason as we speak. This will be Jim Nill’s most important offseason as the Dallas Stars general manager. With an all-star offense manning the helm in 2014-2015, the Stars were let down by their inconsistent goaltending and lackluster defensive work.
So, Jim Nill must make at least one or two high quality moves that will get this team back on track. Those moves are likely to come in the defense and goaltending department. Except one little rumor that went live last night may shake up all of the current outlook.
Hearing Stars, Penguins and Panthers are teams most interested in #Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp. Asking price still too high.
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 24, 2015
Well isn’t this a smack in the face? As soon as you think you know Nill’s plans, a curveball is painted high corner (sorry, it’s been a while since I’ve seen anything sports-related other than baseball).
So, let’s first take a look at Patrick Sharp and his career.
Sharp is currently 33 and just finished his 12th season in the NHL. After being drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers 95th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, it took him one year to make it to the big leagues. Sharp was traded by the Flyers to the Chicago Blackhawks, where he has played since the 2005-2006 season.
Sharp has been a valuable left winger for the Hawks in his time. For a good amount of the lockout season, he played on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. As a right-handed shot, Sharp knows how to score. As a member of the Blackhawks, he has 511 points in 679 total games. These numbers are nothing to gawk at. This past season, though he was a -8 rating, Sharp tallied 16 goals and 43 points in 68 games.
If Patrick Sharp were to make his way to the Dallas Stars, the offensive threat levels would increase to beyond danger levels. With a top six of Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin/Eaves, followed by a Sharp-Spezza-Hemsky combo, the Stars wouldn’t need more than two lines at that point. Sharp would be a nice veteran presence on the top lines along with Spezza and Hemsky.
So, what would a guy like Patrick Sharp cost? Herein lies the problem.
SenShot
The Chicago Blackhawks have been rumored to want a 1st or 2nd round pick in the draft this Friday, along with a top prospect and a top 6 forward on the cheap side. Yeesh.
So, in Dallas Stars terms, he would cost the services of a 49th overall pick, Valeri Nichushkin, and Jason Dickinson. In other words, that is not worth the deal.
Some may think so, but giving up all the potential for a player just a few years from retirement is playing with fire. So I don’t think Jim Nill bites with this current scenario. If he truly wants Sharp, he will find a way to get him on his terms. That would be a reduction in price, guaranteed.
We’ll see what happens, but over the next 48 hours you can be sure that all hell may potentially break loose. It’s going to get crazy, so buckle up. Here comes a wild ride.
Next: Stars Opening Up 2015-2016 At AAC vs. Penguins
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