It’s time for another edition of the Twitter mailbag, and as expected most questions have to do with the upcoming trade deadline.
Let’s jump in.
@DefendingBigD What do you think is more pressing – obtaining a better goalie/backup goalie or trading for a new defenseman?
— Kendall Westbrook (@kendy_wendy) February 5, 2015
@DefendingBigD how do you feel about Kari’s season? Fluke, maybe he’s hiding an injury, or should we be worried for next season?
— Robby Toles (@robbvious) January 29, 2015
So, there’s no doubting that while the team as a whole has issues the Dallas Stars would be in a much different place at this point in the season if Kari Lehtonen wasn’t imploding between the pipes nearly every night. The big question is what the Stars are going to do about it, and that’s hampered by Lehtonen’s contract status and the question of whether this is a “fluke” year or not.
Lehtonen is fully healthy, so this is certainly something else that is going on.
The backup situation is just as concerning, especially since right now the Stars have no options other than to keep putting Lehtonen out on the ice. Neither Rynnas nor Lindback have really stepped up and proven they deserve more minutes (although Lindback has been better lately) and it seems that the Stars need to bite their pride and explore other options.
Is that now? Or just during the summer? Trading for a backup goaltender at this point in the season would be the second time in two years Jim Nill would have to admit his answer for backup wasn’t the right one. There might be some available, but it’s all going to depend on where this team stands on whether Nill pulls the trigger sooner than later.
@DefendingBigD Would the Jets accept one of our older vets and a prospect for Kane with a bit of salary retained?
— Chris Howard (@CHoward014) February 5, 2015
I’m sure the price for Evander Kane might not be lower than it is right now, but I highly doubt the Stars are even remotely interested. If Dallas is going to add $6 million in cap space, let’s use that on a defenseman.
@DefendingBigD how much would it take for Cody Franson?
— Gavin Wilkinson (@Gwilkers97) February 5, 2015
The current asking price is a second round pick and a top prospect. The Stars don’t have a second-rounder this summer, so you’d have to get creative. I’d say a third-rounder, and a couple of prospects could get it done — although one of those prospects would need to be NHL ready.
Or, you flip Erik Cole for a second round pick and then grab Franson.
Or better yet, wait until the summer and sign him as a free agent.
@DefendingBigD What is your ”best-case-scenario” outcome for the Stars after the Trade Deadline day in march ?
— Sylvain LeBrun (@slebrun91) February 5, 2015
“Best. Case. Scenario.”
Kari Lehtonen has five straight shutouts to close the season and win the Stars the division title, with Tyler Seguin’s league-leading 62 goals is the game-winner on the championship-clinching game.
Jamie Benn scores in every game the rest of the season and sets another career-high in goals.
John Klingberg wins the Norris Trophy.
And the Art Ross.
@DefendingBigD at what point do you accept playoffs aren’t realistic and start looking at the next season? Are we there already?
— Robby Toles (@robbvious) February 5, 2015
I don’t think the Stars are there yet and that decision won’t come until right before the trade deadline. There’s just too much that can happen between now and then.
Realistically, though? The Stars working a miracle last season when making the playoffs and expecting the same to happen two years in a row is a very tough thing to expect to happen. But you know the Stars as an organization will be holding on to the goal of the playoffs as long as they can.
@DefendingBigD I’ve heard the Stars coach the D to allow players to get behind them at the net? Why? If so shouldn’t we block more shots?
— James Seher (@James_Seher) February 5, 2015
I…have never heard this. But I’ll follow up, just in case.