ESPN Jury has Stars as deadline losers

by Alex from Germany on Mar 2, 2011 6:28 AM CST

I couldn't help but wonder about the Trade deadline talk over at ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/5177/trade-deadline-jury-in-or-out). Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun both think the Stars will probably feel like losers after this deadline. They both still think, that Brad Richards should have been traded and as such turned into promising prospects and good young players.

Burnside:
Can't help but think Joe Nieuwendyk will kick himself over not moving the most sought-after player at the deadline, especially if the Stars miss the playoffs, and he will double-kick himself if he can’t get Richards to re-sign in Dallas after that. Not sure he got full value for James Neal in an earlier deal with Pittsburgh, and now he may lose a guy who could have helped restock the team for years to come.

LeBrun:

One NHL GM told ESPN.com recently that Joe Nieuwendyk had the most unenviable situation in recent memory on his hands in Brad Richards. Trade him and you likely wreck your playoff chances. Keep him and you risk getting nothing in return for a valuable asset next July. Nieuwendyk would have been second-guessed no matter what he chose to do, in this case keeping Richards for the playoff run. If the Stars have a deep run, it'll be the right call. If they miss the playoffs or lose in the first round, it’ll be deemed a brutal decision. Unfair, but the truth.

I can agree with both that the judgement will have to wait, but mostly on the trade Neal-for-Goligoski. Of course we are risking something by keeping Brad Richards, but as Nieuwendyk said himself: We need Richards the way every possible trading partner would've needed him! Still can't believe that that's not in the brains of the national coverage.

Let's just hope for a big playoff run from the Stars, so the jury will be a good one for GM Joe and the Stars.

Best regards from Germany. Go Stars!

This is a user-created FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Defending Big D. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable hockey and Dallas Stars fans.

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LeBrun was fair, at least.

Defending Big D

by Brad Gardner on Mar 2, 2011 11:46 AM CST reply actions

Heika saying he expects Richards to test free agent waters no matter what has me a little nervous though.

Not that I’d ever wanted him traded. I just want to see him remain a star no matter what.

"I’m going on record that he read it wrong. We’ll see who’s right." - Hull Fan, in regards to Joe not trading Richards

by Tsudbury on Mar 2, 2011 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

New ownership is the key.

I think with owners in place we can and will offer as much money as anywhere else except maybe New York or Toronto and I’m not sure why anyone would want to go to either of those places if they want to win.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Mar 2, 2011 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

Fortunately

They can afford to overpay if they get new ownership that allows them to spend to the cap. Don’t want them to get too crazy but if you have to overpay some then fine, there’s nothing comparable to him in FA this summer. Then probably have to overpay for a good dman.

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by BloggingBevo on Mar 3, 2011 12:55 PM CST reply actions

We're "losers"

because we do have one of the most sought after players at this year’s deadline… Explain that to me again?

by Hillbutton on Mar 3, 2011 4:46 PM CST reply actions

Because he thinks its inevitable that the Stars don’t make the playoffs (or go 1 and done), Richards would have no interest in staying in Dallas, takes the big contract, and the Stars get nothing.