Genius move from Jim Nill: Dallas Stars acquire rugged veteran defenseman in blockbuster trade pitch

The Dallas Stars may have trimmed salary this summer, but speculation is already heating up about another bold move that could reshape their defense heading into the season.

After moving on from Mason Marchment and Matt Dumba in separate deals to stay under the cap, Dallas still looks like one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference.

The core of Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and Miro Heiskanen is intact, and the front office has signaled this group remains firmly in win-now mode.

That's why a recent trade idea has caught so much attention. According to a proposal from Heavy.com, the Stars could look to acquire rugged defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Here is the proposal :

Dallas Stars acquire: Rasmus Ristolainen (50% salary retained)

Philadelphia Flyers acquire: Ilya Lyubushkin, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2026 second-round pick

Rasmus Ristolainen could fill a key need on the Dallas blue line

Ristolainen isn't a flashy name, but he has turned his career around after early struggles in Philadelphia. The 29-year-old now plays a reliable top-four role, bringing physicality, size, and a shutdown presence that Dallas has often lacked behind Heiskanen and Thomas Harley.

Right-handed defensemen are always in high demand, which explains the steep price. The Flyers would reportedly retain 50% of Ristolainen's contract, making him more cap-friendly, but Dallas would still be giving up significant draft capital to make the deal happen.

As NHL.com has noted throughout the offseason, the Stars are operating with one of the tightest cap situations in the league, making any trade a calculated risk. But with a wide-open Cup window, management may see value in paying a premium to add defensive depth.

Could this be the move that finally gets Dallas over the hump?

Dallas has reached the Western Conference Final three years in a row but has yet to break through. Adding Ristolainen would not make him the team's No. 1 defenseman, but it could balance the top four and give Jake Oettinger more protection in net.

I think this type of bold swing feels exactly like a Jim Nill move. It's risky, it's expensive, but it also fits the all-in approach of a team determined to win now.