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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Erik Cole Trade a Win for Dallas

The Stars should stop getting to 40 shots for the next two seasons, just to see if that’s the problem. It’s ridiculous to think so, of course, but correlation is basically causation last time I checked. You know the old joke about that, right?

Still time for things to happen today, but here’s one of quite a few takes that applauds Jim Nill’s move yesterday. Derek had plenty of info on it yesterday, but all corners seem to agree that the Stars got a 2nd-round pick plus some gravy, pending the end result of the two prospects acquired.

The longsuffering fan will recall the rather mixed feelings many people had about the Michael Ryder trade that brought Cole to town in the first place in 2013. (confession: I hated it.) One of the last moves Joe Nieuwendyk made was to ship out the high-scoring Ryder (along with a 3rd-round pick, for reasons I still can’t fathom) for a player who would be with the Stars beyond just that season. The salary and pick didn’t make that move look all that great, and Cole’s age was a concern as well. All things considered though, I think we can be at least content with how it turned out. Cole’s cap hit never really prevented the Stars from making a move (that we know of), and his production this year both gave the Stars hope before things soured and allowed them to flip him for a couple of decent prospects (with questions marks, of course) and more importantly, perhaps, a 2nd-round pick. That is a pretty nice way to start a new paragraph in the lineage of the Ryder signing.

Here’s another positive take.

Janmark was selected 79th overall by Detroit in 2013 and has AHL experience, but he’s currently back home in his native Sweden and having a strong season (13 goals and 36 points in 53 games for Frolunda); Backman was selected 146th overall in 2011 and has split this season between Grand Rapids of the AHL (where he had four assists in 18 games) and Linkopings of the Swedish League (where he has four goals and 16 points in 23 games). And Nill, who left the Red Wings organization in 2013 to take the Dallas job, is no doubt familiar with both youngsters. His Stars team is now out of the tough Western Conference playoff race, and Cole is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, so it made sense for Nill to ship him off for an investment in the future. Neither Swede is a can’t-miss NHLer, but Cole wasn’t going to be one for them much longer anyway. If Nill can develop just one of the two into a contributor in the next few years, the trade probably becomes a runaway win for the Stars. [THN]

The Wings had to do what they had to do, but the Stars already won the trade the instant they turned an expiring asset into a 2nd-round pick. Adding a Swedish defenseman drafted in the 5th round, and you have what could end up being quite a nice little haul for the Stars.

Now let’s all choke back the bile in our throats and cheer on the Wings to the Conference Finals this year in order to retain that 3rd-round pick, okay? Hey, if we could do it for Boston in 2013 (hello, Jason Dickinson) then we can do it now.

* * * * *

Erik Cole day was yesterday. I hope you chose Luigi on Mario Party 4 in his honor.

Lindy Ruff says the Ducks hung around waiting for the Stars to make a mistake. Clearly word has gotten out about the third period. [DMN]

Here are some quotes from Nill about Mattiases Janmark and Backman. [Stars]

And here are many more quotes from Nill on the Mattiases. [DMN]

Ken Holland: “Jim Nill knows our prospects pretty well. He initially named a couple we wouldn’t part with but as we continued to talk, we found names we could agree on.” [Detroit Free Press]

Erik Cole is excited about joining an organization that has spawned fans far and wide who invade opponents’ arenas and make everyone mad. [Detroit News]

ESPN says that both teams did what they needed to do in the Erik Cole trade. [ESPN Insider]

David Schlemko is apparently going to receive a warm welcome in Calgary: “The 6’1, 190 lb. defenceman immediately becomes one of the Flames‘ best possession players, as his CF of 47.3% is behind only Giordano and TJ Brodie.” Woof. [Matchsticks and Gasoline]

Mac Engel says the Stars need to deal their “nucleus of mediocrity,” which is a fine thing to say for someone named “Mac.” [FWST]

TRADE TIME IS HERE; THAT IS WHY THIS IS IN ALL CAPS

The New York Rangers have decided to avoid the troubles Dallas has had with past first-round draft picks by simply never drafting in the first round at all. They will go four straight years without picking in the first round after they sent their first and Anthony Duclair to Arizona for Keith Yandle yesterday. [Puck Daddy]

But Glen Sather wasn’t done, as he acquired Carl Klingberg (yes, that one) and James Sheppard from Winnipeg and San Jose, respectively. [NHL]

Then Slats went ahead and extended Mats Zuccarello for 4 years and $18 million, just because he was in the office, I guess. Not a fan of this extension, but I guess you have to lock up somebody to fill the void created by all those traded-away draft picks. [ESPN]

Curtis Glencross was traded to the Capitals for a 2nd and 3rd-round draft pick for 2015. High price for a Curtis Glencross if you ask me. [Pro Hockey Talk]

The Kings are still having trouble entrenching themselves in a playoff spot despite their recent improvements. As a result, perhaps, some frustration boiled over against Winnipeg last night. [Pro Hockey Talk]

Jaromir Jagr scored a goal and added an assist for his 47th NHL team last night. It tied him with Esposito on the all-time list (the goal). [NJ.com]

Alex Ovechkin added another couple of goals last night. He’s pulling away in the Rocket Richard Trophy race. [TSN]

Finally, Cody Mcleod is hated by many, many people after his stupid run at Granlund with only a few seconds left in the game Saturday night. Also a classy move by Roy to put him out there. Pppssshhh. [Puck Daddy]

Here’s the video:

Talking Points