Dallas Stars: Four Potential Trade Targets In 2018 Offseason
A lot of talk has arisen that the Dallas Stars still aren’t ready to contend in the 2018-19 season. With that being said, many think at least one more move is still necessary. Who are some trade targets that could fill the so-called void?
The Dallas Stars have put together a quantity offseason so far in the summer of 2018.
No, that’s not a typo. And no, it’s not necessarily supposed to read “quality offseason” (not yet, at least). The Stars have, by all means, had a quantity offseason so far.
On July 1, the team set off into yet another free agency frenzy. With blockbuster moves dominating their past July 1’s and another season of missing the playoffs, the expectations were pretty clearly set: Dallas needed to have another fairly large offseason.
After a horrid month of March helped pull the Stars from likely playoff contenders to outside the race altogether, something had to be done. Two years in a row with a supposedly “superstar” lineup and no postseason action to show for it cannot go unobserved.
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And so the Stars took on day one. Fans had many ideas on how Dallas should tackle the first day of the frenzy. Some were sold on the fact that the Stars had a solid chance at landing UFA John Tavares to further bolster their offense with star-studded potential. Others thought that one or two solid “middle-six” forwards and a reliable backup goaltender were the keys to a successful offseason.
But, as we now know, the Dallas Stars didn’t really go in any of the supposed directions. Instead, they added two depth forwards (Valeri Nichushkin and Blake Comeau), a seventh defender (Roman Polak), and a backup goalie (Anton Khudobin).
It didn’t exactly go according to plan, though GM Jim Nill seemed confident in his actions.
“Well, we’re excited,” Nill said following his moves on July 1. “Some of these things we’ve been working on for the last probably two months. Then, you do all of the moves we did today with UFAs and that. We’re excited with what we did and we think we filled in the holes we want. We’re looking forward to getting the team put together and starting camp with it.”
But it goes without saying that Dallas Stars fans aren’t sold on this frame of mind. And from the looks of it, neither is Nill.
Two days following their flurry of moves, the Stars were rumored to be in on the Erik Karlsson sweepstakes. Not only that, but they were also considered the frontrunner to land the elite defender. Things have quieted down since then, but there are still rumblings.
This quote from Jim Nill on July 1 regarding the makeup of the roster should sum up a good amount of the team’s current direction.
“This is a good part of it. We’re still talking to teams and still have to get some guys signed. And once again, there’s still lots of things that I think could happen over the summer. But this is a pretty good core of our team.” -Jim Nill
In other words, the Dallas Stars might still be in the running to make another move. They made plenty of minor moves for quantity, but they could still use one high-quality addition in order to assure their ability to compete next season.
Their primary need seems to lie with adding a goal-scoring forward for their second line, but that may not be Nill’s only focus.
And with that being said, here are a few trade targets that the Dallas Stars might pursue in the coming weeks or months if they are in the market for more additions. But if October comes along and none of these names have moved, make sure to keep them on the back burner as potential additions for the Stars throughout the season.
But remember, these are just potential solutions for the Stars if they are in the market and are looking for one.
1. Artemi Panarin
“The Dallas Stars need a second line scorer.”
There likely hasn’t been another one-liner that has dominated the Stars’ 2018 offseason more frequently than the one listed above. And in a sense, it’s true.
Jim Nill insisted on July 1 that he believed in the young forwards on the Dallas roster and their ability to fill the void that was all too present during much of the 2017-18 season. But is going out on a limb the best thing to do before the season gets underway? Only time will tell.
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If they are in the market for a forward, though, a name likely on their list is Artemi Panarin. The Columbus Blue Jackets winger is in the perfect situation to be dealt at the moment and could be the lockdown piece that Dallas needs on their second line.
As July 1 neared, Panarin informed the Blue Jackets that he was not ready to talk about an extension at the current time. Considering he will be a UFA in the summer of 2019, this isn’t good news for Columbus. They have pointed out that contract talks could eventually start up later on into the year, but there are reports that the team is shopping him as well. After all, if he doesn’t want to sign a contract now and lock down his future, why would he in 11 months unless Columbus wins the Stanley Cup?
It looks as though the Blue Jackets may be looking for a buyer of their short-term investment (they acquired him in the summer of 2017) in order to at least get something significant in return.
If that is the case, the Dallas Stars would be wise to get in line.
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Blue Line Station
The thing about Panarin is that he is just 26 years old. He’s only been in the NHL for three years, playing two with Chicago and one with Columbus. His minutes have increased steadily from 18:31 to 20:08 over the three seasons, and that’s solely due to his production.
Panarin is nearly a point-per-game player, tallying 151 career points in 162 games. His goal totals ring in at 30, 31, and 27 in his three seasons. Meanwhile, the point totals go 77, 74, 82. So, an 82-point performance in 81 games last season along with a +23 rating is something to marvel at.
He’s a young and elite right winger that can get creative in the offensive zone both with setting up and cashing in on scoring chances. His threats also stretch to the power play, where he had seven goals and 21 points last season.
If Dallas were to trade for him, it would likely come with an affirmation that Panarin would be interested in signing an extension with the team. With new head coach Jim Montgomery entering the fold and preaching possession and relentless offensive pressure, it might be just the system for Panarin.
There have not been any official connections between the Stars and “The Breadman” just yet, but that doesn’t mean much. Nill is a GM that enjoys playing things close to the chest, so don’t rule anything out just yet.
But dang it if adding Panarin to the second line wouldn’t revitalize Jason Spezza and only further unleash Janmark’s goal scoring potential. Good heavens…
2. Erik Karlsson
But let’s not forget the name that the Dallas Stars have already been openly and repeatedly linked with.
Erik Karlsson is the Ottawa Senators’ number one defenseman. After being drafted 15th overall by Ottawa in 2008, he’s spent the entirety of his nine-year NHL career with the club. And throughout those nine years, he’s proved to be of elite caliber.
There’s an argument to be made that Karlsson is the best defender in the NHL right now. He’s a two-time Norris Trophy winner and has finished high in the Hart Trophy running on multiple occasions. Karlsson is an offensive mastermind that can put up 15-20 goals and 60-75 points each season. His possession numbers are fantastic and he’s a great puck mover that can play in all situations. That’s hard to find in an NHL defender nowadays. As the captain, he’s been a prime asset for a Senators team in need of help.
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Puck Prose
In 2016-17, he helped lead the charge for Ottawa as they fell just short of an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final after losing game seven of the Eastern Conference Final against Pittsburgh.
The Senators hit a serious rut in 2017-18, but Karlsson still managed to turn in an impressive season. And to top it all off, he is scheduled to be a UFA in the 2019 offseason and recently denied an extension with the Senators.
Enter Dallas. On July 3, the Stars were rumored by multiple sources to be the frontrunner to land Karlsson in a potential trade.
But why go after him? After all, the Dallas Stars already have a similar style of player in John Klingberg. And to add on to that, Klingberg is younger and is already established in the Dallas system on an incredibly team-friendly contract (four more years at $4.25 million).
Well, the reason is because Karlsson would bolster the Dallas blue line to an even higher level than it currently sits at. To have Karlsson and Klingberg as a one-two punch on the right side that could skate somewhere near 50 combined minutes for the Stars seems like an unfair advantage. The Stars blue line would also boast two of the top-10 defensemen in the league. How crazy would that be?
Nill saw that he was available and took a swing. That’s because any team would be lucky to add a player like Karlsson, regardless of how good or bad their defense already is. And considering the Stars’ current potential, it’s an incredibly enticing idea.
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But it looks as though a Karlsson trade to Dallas will only happen if Miro Heiskanen is included in the return. Heiskanen is the Stars’ top prospect and arguably the top defensive prospect in the world.
Basically, Ottawa wants the 18-year-old Heiskanen for the 28-year-old Karlsson and Nill is turning down all offers and making his no. 3 overall pick “untouchable.” Is that a smart move? Stars fans seem to have a split opinion on Nill’s stance.
If Dallas is going to bring in Karlsson, they will have to find a way to change the Senators’ mind and forge a new deal. And while trade talks and rumors seem to be quieting down, time may still be of the essence on this deal. It seems like a Karlsson deal is imminent.
If the Stars want another skilled offensive asset that can contribute from their blue line, Karlsson is their guy. But will they be able to strike the right deal? And could they make it to where they could lock Karlsson down on an extension?
3. Jeff Skinner
At the beginning of the offseason, the Carolina Hurricanes embraced for what looked like an offseason of significant change.
Major changes in their front office and behind their bench left the team with a different image and identity. And with these new developments came the potential for change.
“Change is certainly the most operative word in Carolina, I don’t think there’s any question about that,” said Bob McKenzie on a radio show near the end of May. “I think the Canes consider themselves open for business. I think the word on the street is that pretty much everybody but Sebastian Aho is available.”
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Sabre Noise
That change started as mere rumblings and gradually rose to one of the top pre-offseason stories. Names like Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Justin Faulk, and Jeff Skinner (otherwise known as some of the prime pieces in Carolina) were rumored to be on the market.
Hanifin and Lindholm ended up being dealt at the draft to Calgary, with the Hurricanes arguably getting the better half of the deal. But the remaining names remained on the Carolina roster as the free agency frenzy began.
So if the Hurricanes are still attempting to put on this “fire sale” of sorts, should the Stars be interested?
The answer is absolutely yes, and in one player in particular. Skinner is only 26 and has been a consistent scoring forward for Carolina in eight pro seasons. He’s broken the 30-goal mark on three different occasions and has surpassed 45 points in four of his past five seasons.
His possession numbers are off the charts and he can set up scoring chances in the offensive zone using his speed and balance.
The only question mark with Skinner is that, like Karlsson, he will be a UFA next offseason. An extension would likely be in the Stars’ thoughts.
On top of that, the Hurricanes would likely be wanting a sizable return. Whether that means some of their young forwards like Brett Ritchie and Devin Shore or a defensive piece like Julius Honka is uncertain.
Skinner has a no-movement clause in his contract, so he has to approve the move before it goes through. From the sound of it, though, he might be ready to move on from Carolina if the correct opportunity presents itself.
But one thing is for sure: Skinner would be a solid addition to the Stars’ second line and help accelerate their depth scoring. He’s got the numbers and potential to be a solid left winger for Dallas for many years to come. If Nill is in contact with Carolina management, could he swing a fair deal that would benefit Dallas?
4. Matt Duchene
Yes, we have another Ottawa Senators player with one year left on his contract to discuss. But this one is a forward.
Matt Duchene has been a durable and consistent NHL center since his first season in 2009-10 with the Colorado Avalanche. But after playing parts of eight seasons with the Avalanche and serving as an impressive soldier, Duchene requested a trade.
And on Nov. 5, 2017, that trade passed through and sent him to the Senators.
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FanSided
Even though Ottawa ended up welcoming him with one of their worst performances in years, Duchene still found a way to stick out. He scored 23 goals and put up 49 points in 68 games with a failing Sens team while skating an average of 18:52 each game. His history also includes a particular hot streak against the Stars, tallying 35 points in 36 career games versus Dallas.
But when in Duchene’s shoes, you have to take a step back and assess the situation around you. He requested a trade from Colorado because he wanted to play for a contending team that can win the Stanley Cup. Duchene has only played in eight career playoff games, and it’s clear that the Senators likely won’t be getting him there anytime soon. The franchise itself is going through an incredibly rough patch and needs some serious work.
For a 27-year-old that is just now entering his prime and still has plenty to offer, that cannot be the most encouraging sight to see. And with his contract expiring one year from now, is it the perfect time for Ottawa to dish him in exchange for a sizable return that might be able to help them get back on their feet?
That’s where the Stars could step in. There have been rumblings that Duchene is being shopped around by the Senators already. His numbers have been consistently impressive over the past few seasons, putting in 20+ goals and 55+ points on multiple occasions. He has incredible speed and plays with a particularly high level of energy.
This isn’t the best situation for Duchene at the moment and he needs a change of scenery. Dallas could put him on a second line between Mattias Janmark and Valeri Nichushkin, giving themselves a significant one-two punch in the top six.
Duchene would be an ideal addition that would help boost the Stars’ offense and could be just what the team needs to get back into the postseason. That would gladly suffice both the wants and needs of both sides.
Plus, wouldn’t it be funny if Nill called Senators GM Pierre Dorion to ask about Duchene instead of Karlsson? Or is that just us?
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These are just a handful of options that the Dallas Stars could target in trades over the next few months. There are plenty of other options out there as well, but these are targets that could provide a sizable and immediate impact.
That’s what the Stars need, after all.