Dallas Stars: Making Trade For Andrew Cogliano Raises Expectations
The Dallas Stars got underway with their 2019 trade season on Monday morning when they acquired forward Andrew Cogliano. And while it’s not necessarily a move that will fix all of the team’s problems, it’s a good start that brings plenty of expectations.
Most NHL teams, including the Dallas Stars, are on the lookout of a golden goose right now. Now, what is a golden goose and how can each team go about finding one?
Simply put, a golden goose is a consistent player that can produce at a high rate and carry his team to a new level. Around this time of the regular season, a golden goose can be found on the trade market and can be acquired by teams scavenging for a playoff spot. While the handful of teams at the top of the chain may stay quiet and the teams at rock bottom might be shopping their own golden goose, the Stars are stuck in the middle of the fight. That’s where the need for a large acquisition comes in.
The Dallas Stars need a golden goose to inject some life into their season. Sure, they sit in third place in the Central division through 46 games played and look to be in a favorable spot for the postseason, but something is still missing. There’s a certain spark that they need to add to the lineup, one that they neglected to add at last year’s Trade Deadline that ultimately cost them a trip to the playoffs.
On Monday morning, they took a first step in finding that goose. Dallas made a player-for-player deal with the Anaheim Ducks, sending Devin Shore out west. The return? Veteran forward Andrew Cogliano.
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You have probably heard Cogliano’s name somewhere in the hockey world throughout the years. He’s played 912 of a possible 914 career NHL games, is an NHL Iron Man, and is one of the faster skaters around the league. His speed, penalty-killing skills, and ability to get into the offensive zone and in front of the net make him a valuable forward. But even so, he might not be the Stars’ golden goose.
At the moment, the Dallas Stars need to add a few things to their lineup if they are aiming for a deep playoff run this season. A scorer for the second line as well as a top-four defenseman are chief among these needs. Cogliano may not end up fitting either mold.
For one, he is having one of the worst years of his career through 46 games this season. His three goals and 11 points put him on pace for new career lows and his inability to find the back of the net is a bit of a worry. It may just be a slump and a change of scenery could reignite his scoring potential. But, even when performing at top rate, he’s good for around 15 goals and 35 points.
The Stars also may not be done with moving in the trade market. They are assessing their options everyday, according to GM Jim Nill, and have more than one month before the deadline comes into play.
More From Blackout Dallas: Breaking Down The Devin Shore/Andrew Cogliano Trade
But even though he might not fit their major needs, Cogliano’s arrival comes with heightened expectations. And they aren’t just for him, but for the entire team as well.
This trade signals that the Dallas Stars weren’t happy with the current state of things and wanted change. It also signals that Nill believes Cogliano will make a strong impact, primarily through his leadership traits as an NHL veteran and his speed across the ice.
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Whenever a team feels the need for a shakeup, the new acquisition is always expected to have a large and immediate impact. Dallas needed the shuffle, so Nill went and grabbed Cogliano for Shore. That’s not an easy trade to make midseason, but Nill pulled the trigger. As a result, the bar is raised.
With Cogliano slotting into the lineup on Tuesday night against Tampa Bay, the Dallas Stars will get their first look at what he brings to the table. With two years remaining on his contract after this season, Cogliano will likely be around for a while. So, it’s important that he starts on the right foot with his new team.
In addition, the Stars also have new expectations. When a team holding a playoff spot makes a trade midway through the season, the assumption is that the acquisition will make the team better. Right now, Dallas is 23-19-4 with 50 points. That puts them slightly above .500, but is also enough for third place in the Central right now.
But even so, the expectation is that the Stars will surge to the finish line instead of limping yet again. That all starts with trades and new acquisitions.
The whole point of acquiring Cogliano is to make the team better at a critical time in the season. Whether that is using his leadership and determination or hoping he adds a scoring punch to the second line, the expectation is that he will boost the team.
Even though Cogliano probably isn’t the Stars’ golden goose that will singlehandedly solve their depth scoring woes, he’s a serviceable veteran piece that raises expectations.
So, when no. 17 hits the ice for the first time in Victory Green on Tuesday evening, the Dallas Stars will have a new bar to meet. Cogliano must prove that he can be a quick difference maker and the Stars must find a way to use him to his fullest extent.
With 41 days until the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline, the Stars have already raised their expectations. And while they could still be on the hunt for a golden goose, they will need Andrew Cogliano to make a fast and respectable impact. That’s what trades do.
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All eyes are on no. 17 tonight. Can he provide the spark that this team has searched for since October?