Dallas Stars: Assessing Both Sides Of A Potential Erik Karlsson Trade
By Josh Clark
To Go For Erik Karlsson
Why should the Dallas Stars go after Erik Karlsson? Well, that is pretty obvious.
If you’ve paid any attention to the NHL over the past few years, you have likely heard of him.
He’s a two-time Norris Trophy winner and has been a runner-up multiple times as well. Karlsson has also cracked the top ten in Hart Trophy voting on various occasions since beginning his NHL career in 2009-10.
Live Feed
Puck Prose
In his nine seasons in the NHL, he’s become the complete package on defense. Karlsson can skate heavy minutes and can average up to 27 or 28 minutes per game. Considering John Klingberg can also skate 24 to 25 (with potential for more), you’re talking about two right handed defenders skating for most of the game for you. That’s unreal.
And in addition to his consistent minutes, he is also a severe threat on offense. No. 65 is worth at least 60 points on a yearly basis and can even hit up to 20 goals when need be. His possession numbers are unmatched, his offensive push is impressive and threatening, and he’s one of the best all-around defensemen in the league.
He can play heavy minutes on special teams, can serve as the top defenseman for any blue line, and is a 200-foot threat.
That’s why the Dallas Stars should go after him, regardless of the price. To put him on the right side along with John Klingberg and Stephen Johns would likely be considered an unfair trio by many. The fact that Karlsson likes the idea of coming to Dallas and would potentially sign an extension with Dallas makes it even more enticing, regardless of the cost because Nill can find a way to make it happen.
The Stars have an elite group of players on their roster, including Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Ben Bishop. And at the moment, Benn is in the middle of his prime, Seguin is slowly entering his prime, and Bishop is exiting his prime.
More from Analysis
- Dallas Stars Traverse City Tournament: Who had great performances?
- Taking a look at the teams the Dallas Stars will be playing in the preseason
- Should the Dallas Stars revisit signing Patrick Kane this season?
- Realistic regular season stats for Dallas Stars Roope Hintz
- Realistic regular season stats for Dallas Stars Joe Pavelski
These three players make up a large part of the Stars’ elite class. A common thread between the three of them? They’ve never won a Stanley Cup. And none of them have made it past the second round of playoffs when wearing a Stars uniform. Eventually, that becomes a significant cause for worry.
The Dallas Stars have to keep swinging for the fences at this point. There’s no time to slowly retool or completely rebuild. These core players are in their prime playing days and won’t be going much higher in terms of output before they start to go back down. They’ve put themselves in a position where they have to go after top names if the opportunity presents itself. Two playoff appearances in the past ten years just stands out too much.
If the Stars can land a top defender now via trade and further bolster the blue line along with greatly improving the team’s chances at winning it all, do it. Sometimes trading away potential future assets is the best move, especially when it comes at the promise of immediate success.
There’s no more time for the Dallas Stars to delay. This is a rare situation in which a generational talent is available and the Stars are considered the top dog in the race. Make it happen or risk playing the “what if” game over the next few years.
Whether it’s just Miro Heiskanen or even Heiskanen, another player, and a pick or two, do it. You have a proven and guaranteed NHL elite superstar on the table. That’s the biggest part.
Too easy, right?