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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Taking A Look At The Stars’ Trade-Deadline Signings

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

The Dallas Stars made like buyers at the NHL trade deadline, sort of. The acquisition of two new players will patch some holes in the current lineup. But is it enough?

The Dallas Morning News’ Matthew DeFranks examined the Stars’ TDL activity a new post, starting with the obvious. With Braden Holtby on long-term injured reserve and Adam Scheel yet to play an NHL game, GM Jim Nill signed Scott Wedgewood to cover the sudden gap in goal:

The Stars’ goaltending depth has disappeared in a season when they entered with four NHL goalies in training camp. Ben Bishop’s career ended due to a chronic knee injury. Anton Khudobin had season-ending hip surgery. Holtby is currently dealing with this injury….

“If you would have told me six months ago I’d have to make a trade for a goalie, I would have said ‘Why would I have to do that?’” Nill said. “That’s where you’ve got to be flexible, you’ve got to be ready to do anything you can.”

The signing of Vladislav Namestnikov, a depth forward who’s having a good season offensively, provides considerably more intrigue, DeFranks writes:

It’ll be interesting to see what [head coach] Rick Bowness does with the Stars lineup once it’s fully stacked. A depth addition like Namestnikov seemed to be a way to push [Joel] Kiviranta out of the lineup, given Kiviranta’s one-goal campaign so far this season.

But Kiviranta is already a scratch, so what does Bowness do?

Marian Studenic has impressed since entering the lineup in Toronto and played a great game Sunday in Washington, with an assist and a drawn penalty that led to a power play goal. Jacob Peterson has been strong in recent games, and posted a two-point game in New York on Saturday. So did Denis Gurianov. Radek Faksa snapped his lengthy goal drought in Montreal, and Bowness complimented Faksa’s play after he blocked an Alex Ovechkin shot on Sunday.

Matt has more, including the latest on John Klingberg and Miro Heiskanen and potential lines for tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers. [SportsDayDFW]

Stars Stuff

But really, Dallas’ TDL was mostly about the shoe that didn’t drop.

Meanwhile, the Stars take on the Edmonton Oilers in the AAC, and it’s Razor Bobblehead Night. (That’s right. Settle down.)

Tonight’s game also marks a big milestone for one of the Stars’ most effective coaches.

Around The Leagues

#Death Notes

  • Cam Talbot earned a 28-save shutout as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0. [Hockey Wilderness]
  • Mikko Rantanen scored twice and Nathan MacKinnon got the game-winner in the Colorado Avalanche’s 3-2 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers. [Mile High Hockey]
  • Filip Forsberg racked up five points and Matt Duchene scored twice as the Nashville Predators’ power-play unit devoured the Anaheim Ducks, 6-3. [On The Forecheck]/

Looking for a list of all the TDL transactions? Here we go.

The struggling Seattle Kraken were the big trade-deadline sellers, and their stock of draft picks has grown accordingly.

But what does all this mean for your fantasy team? Take a look.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park

Having a hard time tuning in for the match in Dallas? The Texas Stars have some game-day action happening tonight against the Chicago Wolves, just saying.

Finally

So you know. Enjoy.

Talking Points