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Dallas Stars: Wrapping Up, Grading Their 2019 Trade Deadline Moves

By Josh Clark

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 24: Esa Lindell #23 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with teammates after Mats Zuccarello #36 scored against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at the United Center on February 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 24: Esa Lindell #23 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with teammates after Mats Zuccarello #36 scored against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period at the United Center on February 24, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 16: Jamie Oleksiak #2 of the Dallas Stars skates for position during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on February 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 16: Jamie Oleksiak #2 of the Dallas Stars skates for position during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on February 16, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Stars Send Fourth-Round Pick To Penguins For Oleksiak

In a complete reversal of the trade that happened on Dec. 19, 2017, the Dallas Stars reacquired defenseman Jamie Oleksiak from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 28, 2019. In return, the Stars sent back the 2019 fourth-round pick that Pittsburgh had included in the first trade. In other words, it’s like the trade never happened.

With Dallas losing Marc Methot for the rest of the season with a knee injury and Stephen Johns still not playing in a game so far this year, the Stars needed size in their back end. With smaller, puck-moving defenders like Esa Lindell (6-3, 215 lb.) Miro Heiskanen (6-1, 185 lb.), and John Klingberg (6-2, 180 lb.) making up the majority of the team’s defensive group, there was a lingering need for a big, physical body.

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So, Nill brought Oleksiak back in. After playing an important role for the Penguins in 2017-18, he had fallen from grace and was stuck in the healthy scratch rotation. With that being said, the Penguins had put him back on the trade block when the Stars came calling.

Oleksiak hasn’t done anything spectacular since returning to Dallas, with no points and a -1 rating in an average of 12:56 of playing time per game. He’s been caught in some defensive breakdowns and still seems to struggle with shutting down the opposing offense at times, but his 25 hits and physical nature in 13 games makes him a somewhat favorable add.

FINAL VERDICT: C. The Stars didn’t get markedly better with this trade, but they didn’t get worse. Being physical can also come in handy at important times during a regular season or playoff run, so his presence could end up paying off in a big way down the road.

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