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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Talking Turkey At The Trade Deadline

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars are still in playoff position – for now. They’ve put a big win over the St. Louis Blues behind them, but roster questions remain. And the Victory Green gang now faces another matchup with the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes (today at 4 p.m. Central, set your reminders).

Here at DBD, we’ve worried those questions again and again, both in copy and comments. So it’s no surprise that Dallas Morning News Stars correspondent Matthew DeFranks says he would be “surprised and disappointed” if GM Jim Nill doesn’t make a move by Monday:

The Stars should still make the playoffs, especially in the dreadful Western Conference, but they need an extra dose of scoring to ensure that they do. The playoffs can be tricky at times, and teams can ride a hot goalie to wins. The Stars have done that all season, but as we’ve seen recently, you need another dimension to your team to contend.

Jim Nill knows about his team’s shortcomings, and I would be surprised and disappointed if they don’t trade for someone, especially given how last year ended when he stood pat.

With Matt Duchene already traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin reportedly “off the market,” Mats Zuccarello may be a good add:

…He’s a consistent 50-60 point winger that would absolutely slide very easily into a top six role in Dallas. You’re also right that you have to look at his situation this summer, which would be an interesting one because of Zuccarello’s age. He’s 31 years old, which puts him in a much different class than Matt Duchene (28) or Mark Stone (27 this summer). Those become more dangerous contracts with aging forwards. It’s the same age bracket as players like James Neal or Tyler Bozak or Paul Stastny, who you may want to shy away from long-term deals with.

Either way, the asking price would probably start with a first- or second-round pick and a prospect. Not sure Nill wants to give up high picks for a “Maybe we’ll re-sign him.” We’ll see.

There’s more at Matt’s place. [SportsDayDFW]

Stars Stuff

Ben Bishop is back – if not today, then probably tomorrow.

And if you go for the Canes game, stay for the Stars Alumni Game – featuring The King of Little Things, including many fans’ hearts.

Around The League(s)

#Death Proof

  • J.T. Compher and Carl Soderberg both scored twice as the Colorado Avalanche took it to the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-3. [Mile High Hockey]
  • Youth carried the day as the Minnesota Wild powered past the Detroit Red Wings 3-2. [Hockey Wilderness]
  • And the Winnipeg Jets got their groove back with a 6-3 road win over the Vegas Golden Knights. [Knights On Ice]/

Connor McDavid suspended for two games? Is it a sign of the apocalypse, or just that the NHL may actually be getting serious about head shots?

And, of course, Ken Campbell has the hawttest spoertz taek of all:

More potential value signings for the NHL trade deadline, courtesy of Luke Fox:

Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have discovered The Swedish Defenseman, it’s a big deal.

Jordin Tootoo has wrestled his alcoholism, and now he wants to be a different kind of story.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

The Texas Stars won a point, but lost in the shootout to the Grand Rapids Griffins, 4-3. Former Cedar Park fan fave Derek Hulak scored the dagger.

Finally

Atom hockey finally gets the star treatment. Enjoy.

Talking Points