Dallas Stars: Three Players They Might Deal Before Trade Deadline
The NHL trade deadline is just hours away now, and the Dallas Stars are more than likely preparing to sell hard. Who might be packing up their bags and departing from Big D?
The trade deadline is always an exciting time for NHL fans. Maybe their team is on the buying side and looking to make a run. Or maybe their team is selling and looking to add to their future. Either way, there’s a silver lining for everyone. That’s what makes it exciting.
For the Dallas Stars, this is shaping up to be one of their most active deadlines in recent memory. With the Stars (24-28-10) sitting nine points out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference at the moment, the writing is on the wall: it just isn’t their year.
It’s been quite the treacherous fall from the graceful position they inhabited last season at the top of the West. But I guess that’s how hockey goes. It’s the ultimate roll of the dice and anything can happen in a given season.
More from Blackout Dallas
- Dallas Stars Traverse City Tournament: Who had great performances?
- Grushnikov and Stankoven lead Dallas Stars to 6-3 win over Columbus
- Dallas Stars prospects look to wrap up tournament with a win
- Burn the tapes: Dallas Stars prospects lose 5-1 to Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dallas Stars look to continue success today against the Maple Leafs
Considering their current predicament, everyone is expecting the Stars to sell and prepare for the future. And they already got a jump on doing so on Friday when they traded Patrick Eaves to the Anaheim Ducks.
They have plenty of pending free agents who could be used as solid rentals for a team trying to make a run. In return, Dallas could pick up some skilled prospects and future draft picks, or they could even find a way to fish out a big name player that could make immediate improvements on their roster.
But who exactly might the Dallas Stars be planning to ship out at this point? There are plenty of names being tossed around, but Jim Nill is a patient GM and will not do anything out of haste.
Still, here are a couple of names that may have already played their last game in Victory Green. With the trade deadline scheduled for Wednesday, Mar. 1, the Stars have a lot of work to get done in 48 hours.
Honorable Mentions
First off, let’s take a look at a few of the names on the Stars’ roster that have valid reasons to be sent packing but are basically a coin flip.
The names that stand out in this category include Jiri Hudler, Lauri Korpikoski, and Adam Cracknell. These three forwards, while not extremely valuable, have provided much-needed depth for Dallas this season in a year plagued with injuries.
More from Editorials
- Dallas Stars hockey is about to be the main attraction in Dallas this year
- Age Before Beauty: The impact of Benn’s new role on his Dallas legacy
- Dallas Stars hockey is the light at the end of the tunnel
- Dallas Stars coverage is lacking and it’s very concerning to be honest
- Sit back, relax and watch Jim Nill and the Dallas Stars draft scouts cook
Korpikoski, 30, has played the role of filler for Dallas and been a pleasant surprise. He’s played 59 of the Stars’ 62 games this season, playing primarily on the third and fourth lines. In 13:00 of average ice time, he has scored eight goals and tallied 20 points along with a +6 rating. He’s a solidified depth scorer and also provides aid on the penalty kill.
Hudler could never seem to get the ball rolling for Dallas. After missing 25 of the Stars’ first 29 games this year due to a mysterious illness, he never seemed to find the niche Dallas was hoping that he would. In 26 games this season, he only has three goals and 10 points. He can play on the power play as well as cycle through even strength lines.
Both are in the final season of their one-year deals and are making $1 million and $2 million, respectively. They could be reliable rentals, much like Patrick Eaves to the Ducks, and could be secured at a reasonable price from Dallas. A draft pick would do the trick for either player, and both Korpikoski and Hudler could get a fresh start and a chance at helping a team make a run.
Ales Hemsky
On October 22, 2016, the Dallas Stars suffered yet another injury that would plague the beginning of their season when Ales Hemsky went down with a hip injury.
Dallas Stars
The hip would require immediate surgery and would bench Hemsky for the entire season up to this point. The 33-year-old is fighting to get back in the lineup, and is doing a good job of it. He is a little ahead of schedule and is already back to practicing with the team. All that’s left is for him to say that he feels good enough to go.
But whether that means his next game will be in Victory Green is a tossup. The thing is that Hemsky fits the category as a perfect rental for a playoff-bound team. Last season, Hemsky scored 13 goals and posted 39 points a +3 rating in 75 games. He can play power play, penalty kill, and is a valuable teacher for younger players. Not to mention that he has playoff experience and even experience in the Stanley Cup Finals.
He’s in the final year of his deal with a $4 million cap hit and provides talent that can be inserted anywhere in an offensive setup.
If the Stars do find a way to dish him before Tuesday, he would likely bring back at least a draft pick and maybe a prospect in return. Considering the Stars might be hesitant to re-sign him this offseason because of his up-and-down play and the rookies waiting for playing time, now would be a good time to at least get something in return.
He would end his career in Dallas with 24 goals and 71 points in 152 games.
Johnny Oduya
Oduya played his first game in over a month on Sunday afternoon. He is another one of the many Dallas Stars players who has been injured a good amount this season, but his absence has meant more than the others.
Without the veteran presence that Oduya provides, the Stars’ defensive group has suffered. The Dallas defense allowed at least three goals in 12 of the past 14 games where Oduya was absent.
Two Stanley Cups is a good enough resume as any for #47. Through 11 years of NHL experience spanning across three teams, Oduya has been an effective defensive defenseman (say that three times fast).
The 35-year-old defender is great on the power play, penalty kill, and at even strength. He is comfortable with getting hemmed into the defensive zone and fighting his way out. He can play heavy minutes and shut down the blue line when necessary.
Considering he is in the final year of his deal and making $3.75 million, he is also a solid rental for a team needing experience in their back end. He could be exchanged for a high draft pick or a promising prospect.
Patrick Sharp
The last and possibly most valuable player that the Dallas Stars have on the trade block at the moment is the 35-year-old sniper himself, Patrick Sharp.
Since coming to Dallas in the blockbuster trade back on July 10, 2015, the winger has proven to be a valuable asset for the Stars. Last season alone, Sharp tallied 20 goals and 55 points while skating first and second line minutes.
This year, he’s had a tough time batting concussion injuries. But even in 36 games, he still has seven goals and 15 points while only skating an average of 16:05.
He’s a guy who can score both at even strength and on the power play and can help lead an offense. Not to mention the three Stanley Cups in his past and a world of playoff experience.
Considering he’ll be a free agent this offseason, Sharp is the perfect target for a team that needs immediate help on the wing for the remainder of the regular season and into the postseason.
His value will be relatively high, considering he is one of the most talented forwards on the block. But he deserves a run that Dallas just can’t piece together this year.
The Stars might be able to secure a strong prospect either on the brink of or already in the NHL in return. But it’s all up to what Jim Nill is looking for.
Next: Stars' Playoff Hopes Rest Solely On Other Teams
All in all, the Dallas Stars are likely in for a lot of selling over the next 48 hours. This just isn’t their year, and it’s time to move on and look ahead for next season.
So it might be a good idea to say your goodbyes, Stars fans. But just remember that each move is for the hypothetical best. Let’s hope so, at least.