Dallas Stars Acquire Connor Carrick From Toronto Maple Leafs

The Dallas Stars made a preseason trade this morning, acquiring defenseman Connor Carrick from the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s a depth move that gives the Stars another young right-handed defender in their system.

Even though the preseason ended on Sunday and the regular season has yet to commence, the Dallas Stars are still finding ways to keep busy.

On Monday morning, the Stars finalized their first trade of the 2018-19 season, sending a 2019 seventh-round draft pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Connor Carrick. The pick is conditional, though, meaning that if Carrick plays in 50 or more NHL games for Dallas, it will switch to a sixth-round selection.

In the Stars’ case, they are bringing another young, right-handed defenseman with NHL experience into their system. So, what does Carrick bring to the team and where will he fit in?

Carrick’s arrival comes with solid timing for the Dallas Stars. The Leafs had actually announced that Carrick would be waived on Monday morning, but he was never actually put on the waiver wire because of the trade. Dallas GM Jim Nill jumped with the trade offer in an attempt to ensure that he got the defender he wanted.

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“We could have waited for waivers, but at least this way I know we got the player,” Nill told Sean Shapiro of The Athletic. “I know there is 12 teams ahead of us picking and when I talk to general managers around the league I know everyone is looking for defense.”

The fact that the Stars made a move on defense comes in response to right-handed defenseman Stephen Johns, who is currently sidelined with an injury. Johns hasn’t played since the first preseason game and is starting to look as though he may miss opening night with the injury lingering.

Carrick looks as though he may end up filling that void. Standing at 5’11, 192 lbs., he brings 167 games of NHL experience over four seasons with both the Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals. And while that may not seem like an ideal scenario, he’s only 24 years old. In other words, there’s still plenty of time for the 2012 fifth-round pick to become an NHL regular.

He will likely replace Gavin Bayreuther in the lineup as Bayreuther will probably be sent down to the AHL as the Stars finalize their roster in preparation for Thursday.

Carrick’s strengths include strong skating skills and a solid ability to move the puck. He also owns a knack for puck possession, meaning he should fit very well in Montgomery’s relentless system. In addition, he can also be an offensive influence. Last season, he scored four goals and tallied 12 points in 47 games with the Leafs along with a +5 rating.