Dallas Stars Daily Links: Robidas Attracting Trade Interest

Only two more days until the trade deadline has officially passed -- and it can't come soon enough.

Every year fans and reporters talk about how it could be the biggest trade deadline ever.  "This year is different!" they say while wearing their Tony Romo jersey for good luck.

So far, there has only been one trade, and it's hardly a blockbuster.  Sure there were some interesting names involved, but a 30th ranked team selling off pieces as they potentially reshuffle every level of the organization should not come as a surprise.

That doesn't mean, however, that the "smaller" trades won't affect the fans of the teams that made a move.  Heck, seeing Steve Ott on the same team with Brenden Morrow and Hitch has to make every Stars fan smile just a little.

A little closer to home, though, are the trade rumors surrounding the pending free agents for Dallas.  Ray Whitney and Vernon Fiddler have been talked about endlessly.  One player that seems to have flown under the serious discussion radar, at least until now, is Stephane Robidas.

At the beginning of the season, it was something that fans saw as a likely possibility.  Robidas' contract is up at the end of the year, he's no longer part of the Stars' core, and he has mentioned several times in interviews that he wants to compete for a cup.  Being traded to a contender that needs to shore up on defense could be his best bet.

There are plenty of barriers to a trade happening, even if you don't include his broken leg. He has a no trade clause, and would have to waive it to go somewhere. Throw in the fact that no one has seem him play in months, and I wouldn't count this one as very likely to happen.

That doesn't mean there aren't rumors though. There are reports that more than one team is asking about him.  But are they offering enough to let Dallas part ways with him?  And would he even want to go?

We'll find out soon enough.

On to the links...

• It's game day!  I like getting to say that just about every other day. Here's the previews you need to prepare. [Stars Inside Edge] [Dallas Morning News]
• One of the main story lines for tonight will be Lindy Ruff facing his old team.  You know, the one that blamed him for the team's woes and fired him? Before they started having a "Fire! Fire! sale..." Luckily, Ruff is more focused on his new team right now. [Dallas Morning News]
• Dillon has been practicing, and is questionable for tonight. [Stars Inside Edge]
• Like I said, the Sabres are having some problems.  Both on and off the ice. [ESPN]
• Don't forget the unofficial watching party tomorrow! Come raise some funds for Defending the Blue Line, and cheer on the Stars! [Get more info here]
• In the good news portion for Stars fans, the Coyotes lost last night. In regulation! [Sports Illustrated]
• And the Vancouver Canucks lost in their Outdoor/Indoor-Mega-Heritage-Winter-Ultra-Classic. It's the title that sets it apart from the other 30 outdoor games this year. [Puck Daddy]
• Burnside says that the outdoor games did their job though, making us forget about the most recent lockout.  Maybe they did for some, but not for me.  I just choose to enjoy every hockey game I can.  You know, while there's still a CBA in effect. [ESPN]
• The classic argument of whether or not the Olympics will burn out players.  Has anyone ever argued that maybe it just depends on the individual players? [Puck Daddy]
• And here are your three stars from across the NHL last night.  The biggest reason I want the trade deadline to be over?  When I read a headline that says "Miller wins in St. Louis debut," I won't think Tampa Bay traded their star forward. [Puck Daddy]
• Overall, not a bad weekend for the Stars, as Phoenix and Vancouver lost. Their magic number is 42.