The Dallas Stars are off and running yet again ahead of the trade deadline. Today, they sent the elder Benn to the Montreal Canadiens. Considering this move, it might be a good idea to prepare for the worst.
It’s happening again, Dallas Stars fans.
Just moments ago, a trade went down between the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. In it, the Stars officially send D Jordie Benn to the Canadiens in exchange for D Greg Pateryn and a fourth-round pick. Pateryn will wear no. 29 for the Stars.
The trade more than likely came as a shock to Stars fans.
Sure there was Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya who were probable trade pieces that would be dealt before Wednesday’s trade deadline, but the elder Benn was probably a name that many Stars’ fans automatically put on the “safe” list.
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But the 29-year-old is now headed north of the border, and you may not know what to think.
The deal was definitely a sudden one. According to Mark Stepneski, the deal came together quickly and effectively.
Jim Nill said the trade with Montreal came together quickly, Canadiens call this morning with some proposals.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) February 27, 2017
It’s been a pretty exciting ride for Jordie Benn in his journey to the NHL and it’s been exciting to watch him. Ever since playing for the Allen Americans in 2009-10 and then two years in the AHL before making his debut in January 2013, he’s come a long way from being an undrafted defender with little potential.
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He’s played 302 career NHL games with the Dallas Stars, scoring 11 goals and tallying 71 points. He registered a +7 on-ice rating over his six-year career in Big D along with 379 hits and 482 blocked shots.
This season in particular, Benn had been one of the Stars’ most consistent defensemen. He was flexible throughout the lineup and always tried his best to salvage the struggling Dallas defense. He played in 58 games, registering two goals and 15 points.
The thought of trading him seems entirely silly, but there may be a good reason. Mainly, the Stars would have had to face the NHL expansion draft rules sooner or later. And in their current situation, Benn was one of the many Stars’ players who might not have been protected and would more than likely have significant interest from the new team in Vegas. Dallas may have been aiming to at least get something in return for the veteran defenseman.
Nill said the possibility of losing Jordie Benn in the expansion draft was a factor in making the deal.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) February 27, 2017
For the Canadiens, they are getting an extremely hard worker who built himself up from practically nothing to a regular NHL starter. It was a pleasure watching Benn grow throughout his career into the skilled defender that he is today.
Next: Deadline Dealing: Three Players Dallas Might Ship Out
Stay tuned for more coverage and analysis of the trade and keep your eyes peeled over the next 48 hours. Two trades have gone down, but it is likely that the Dallas Stars are not done just yet.