And so the first domino falls. The Dallas Stars made their first trade today with the Anaheim Ducks. But how will the trade affect Dallas in the near future?
Let the selling begin.
Though you may have tried to deny it or put it out of your mind entirely, it happened: the Dallas Stars traded veteran forward Patrick Eaves today to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional second-round pick.
The 32-year-old is currently in the middle of his best season as a pro, scoring 21 goals and tallying 37 points in just 59 games with Dallas. Anaheim is receiving a valuable scoring threat at even strength and on the power play and is a determined net-front presence. Not to mention the Dearest Annabelle tweets that they will get to enjoy.
In return, the Dallas Stars will receive a conditional second-round pick. If the Ducks end up making it to the Western Conference Finals and Eaves plays in 50 percent of the playoff games, the second-round pick will transform into a first-round pick in the 2017 draft.
The pick that the Stars are now receiving was initially owned by Toronto. If the Ducks do make it to the conference finals, they will instead forfeit their own first round pick, wherever it may land in the draft order.
Some thought it would be Patrick Sharp. Some thought it would be Johnny Oduya. But it turns out that Eaves is the first one to go.
That doesn’t mean that other names won’t be shipped out as well. This just means that the Dallas Stars are ready to sell.
Why did the Stars deal one of their best forwards? Why does the return seem so insignificant considering the draft class? Is there any chance of the bearded one ever returning?
Well, the fact of the matter is that the playoff hopes aren’t necessarily a priority anymore. As Mike Heika put it in an earlier tweet, this trade is similar to when the Stars sent Jaromir Jagr to the Bruins in 2013 with around a month left in the season. They dealt their best forward away even when they were still somewhat on the playoff bubble. But selling was more important.
The Dallas Stars are currently ten points out of the final wild card spot. That’s a large margin to cover and unless the Stars get some significant help from the teams around them, their chances at the Stanley Cup this season are small.
Eaves’ contract expires this offseason, and the Stars would not have been protecting a pending UFA in the expansion draft. He’ll likely be a rental for Anaheim for their playoff run and nothing else.
Meanwhile, Dallas gets a pick in the draft that could be a first rounder. While the 2017 draft class isn’t as talented and inspiring as it has been in years past, there are still some phenomenal athletes that could turn into superstars down the road. Now the Stars have another one to add to their arsenal.
And there is a potential silver lining. If the Dallas Stars get into free agency this year and Patrick Eaves is floating around on the market (considering he should be expecting a significant pay raise from his current $1 million hit), there’s nothing that says he couldn’t return after a short hiatus in Anaheim.
Back on exit interview day in 2015, I talked to Eaves about the possibility of re-signing with the Dallas Stars in that following offseason. Here’s what he had to say about the Stars organization.
“I would absolutely want to come back. I really enjoy being here with this group of guys and the coaching staff. Just the way Jim runs things is pretty special. I’m sure he’ll be in touch or my agent will call him or however that works here and hopefully we’ll get something done. I really enjoy being here.”
Don’t count out a return just yet. Jim Nill knows how to run an effective hockey club and knows which players help mold his team the best. Considering they have now signed Eaves to three different contracts, I think it is safe to say that the relationship is pretty solidified.
Next: Stars Host Coyotes Tonight In Hopes Of Big Win
All in all, it’s officially selling season in Dallas. There’s no way around that. The Dallas Stars have five days to make some more moves happen. Keep a close lookout and continue to check in for more updates. Until then, make sure you tune in for Dallas Stars hockey tonight as they take on the Arizona Coyotes at 7:30.