Hello from the Dallas Stars headquarters in Frisco, where we are live waiting for any news for what other moves the team might do to tweak its roster.
The Stars got into the action early, snagging the best defensive defenseman available on the market when they got Chris Tanev. After dealing with work visa delays, he finally got into a game for the first time on Tuesday night, the last game before the trade deadline. It was a wild one – a 7-6 comeback win in overtime, defense (and goaltending) optional on both sides. Not exactly the lockdown defensive structure the Stars likely want down the stretch here.
They’ve been fairly quiet since, not really mentioned in any other trade targets. They did another deal with Calgary to send Riley Damiani north in a “change of scenery” style move for the veteran AHL forward. But, that’s pretty minor when it comes to upgrading the NHL roster for a Stanley Cup run.
What could still be on general manager Jim Nill’s wishlist today?
Some in the media have speculated that Nill would be looking for a second defenseman to mix up the blueline. It’s pretty crowded at the NHL level, but one or two injuries to key personnel and that depth is pretty thin behind this seven:
Miro Heiskanen – Thomas Harley
Esa Lindell – Chris Tanev
Ryan Suter – Nils Lundkvist
Jani Hakanpaa
At forward, you have to think that Logan Stankoven’s recent performance serves as the major upgrade to the top nine that Dallas could have been targeting. Tyler Seguin is back skating and should be ready before the playoffs, but it’s still unknown what Evgenii Dadonov’s availability might be. Maybe an upgrade to the fourth line as an injury insurance in case he isn’t back? Assuming Seguin healthy, the Stars look pretty set for the most part in terms of the forward group, especially with the likes of Mavrik Bourque waiting in the wings:
Jason Robertson – Roope Hintz – Joe Pavelski
Tyler Seguin – Matt Duchene – Mason Marchment
Jamie Benn – Wyatt Johnston – Logan Stankoven
Craig Smith – Radek Faksa – Sam Steel
Ty Dellandrea / Evgenii Dadonov (injured)
Could the Stars look at some insurance in goal? Jake Oettinger hasn’t always looked like himself this season, and Scott Wedgewood’s underlying numbers may not be what you want to rely on in the playoffs (though he’d tell you that the only thing that matters is wins, and in that he’s done alright with a 13-6-5 record.) Behind Wedgewood is Matt Murray, who is relatively untested at the NHL level. With the salary cap, it would be hard to envision the Stars carrying three goalies down the stretch, but maybe that’s a possibility if some numbers can be moved around.
Whatever happens, we’ll be here to hear from Nill immediately after the trade deadline to assess the team’s final roster heading into the stretch run of the regular season.