The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks [subscription required] has taken a closer look at the Stars situation as it pertains to the NHL Trade Deadline. Asking what happens if the team becomes a seller over the next few weeks, he noted that there are some interesting names that could be on the move.
Admittedly, DeFranks notes players like Andrew Cogliano, Blake Comeau and Jamie Oleksiak won’t move the needle much. They could fetch “maybe a mid-round pick”, at best. But, he also noted that if the Stars are really looking to get something good back and are thinking the Seattle Kraken might have extra eyes on their roster, the Stars could make a surprising move.
DeFranks suggested the organization look at trading goaltender Anton Khudobin. If they don’t, the team could lose him to the Seattle Kraken in this summer’s expansion draft. Not only that, but he explains that the Stars could be in a position to absorb the blow, even if it’s not the ideal situation.
He writes:
The Stars will (likely) have Ben Bishop back by the trade deadline. Jake Oettinger has played well as a backup this season. If the Stars think Seattle selects Khudobin in the expansion draft, might they try to get something in return instead of coming away empty-handed? Landon Bow and Colton Point would still fulfill the goalie requirement for the expansion draft even without exposing Khudobin.
Second, DeFranks dropped the name John Klingberg. The scribe believes the defenseman would fetch “a sizeable package of picks and prospects.”
Would This Be Dallas Hurting Their Chances to Compete?
While Khudobin’s loss would sting a little, it’s the potential subtraction of Klingberg from the Stars’ lineup that would really hurt the team. If he were to be moved, the Stars would be moving arguably their most talented defenseman.
It’s one thing if the Stars aren’t competitive this season. It’s another thing if the team knowing makes it hard to win next season, and while players like Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski and Ben Bishop are getting older.
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