The Dallas Stars have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Minnesota Wild. After three consecutive Western Conference Final appearances, Dallas fired Pete DeBoer last offseason. The move to Glen Gulutzen didn’t get them over the hump. Now, the Stars must be lively within the offseason trade market to attempt to fix the roster. Who should Dallas GM Jim Nill goal this offseason?
When the Stars’ offseason trade plans are discussed, Jason Robertson is generally the primary name mentioned. He needs a brand new contract, but Dallas controls his rights as a restricted free agent. With limited cap space, Dallas could also be forced to trade the 40-goal scorer after certainly one of his best seasons. But whether or not they do this, the Stars need latest players, and the trade market might be the very best place to seek out them.
Who should the Stars trade for this offseason to recover from the playoff hump?
Oliver Ekman-Larsson could help fix the Stars’ defense
The Stars made two trades at this 12 months’s deadline that confirmed what everyone already knew: the defense was an issue. They picked up Tyler Myers and Lian Bichsel, two very large defenseman who don’t move thoroughly. That didn’t work, as Myers was a healthy scratch in the ultimate two playoff games. Despite the fact that each of those players have a 12 months left on their contracts, the Stars should attempt to trade for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
After a disastrous run with the Vancouver Canucks, Ekman-Larsson revived his profession with the Florida Panthers before signing in Toronto. With a brand new braintrust in place for the Leafs, Ekman-Larsson must be on the move before next season. In the event that they tackle either Myers or Bichsel, the Leafs could get a good draft pick from Dallas.
The Stars are up against the salary cap before making any trades this offseason. Even with the ceiling rising this summer, they might should ask other teams to retain salary on bigger-name players. Ekman-Larsson’s $3.5 million cap hit makes him much more attractive to Dallas, as they might fit that in with some light massaging.
Simon Nemec may very well be available as a young option
The Latest Jersey Devils have also hired a brand new general manager this offseason, bringing in Sonny Mehta. They’ve 2022 second-overall pick Simon Nemec on the squad still, despite his lack of NHL productivity at 22 years old. If the Stars like what they see from Nemec, they might take the same bet to the one they did on Nils Lundkvist years ago. As a low-cost, young option, Dallas won’t get a lot better than Nemec.
In 155 NHL games, Nemec has just 39 points and has not proven much within the defensive zone. Even on a struggling team just like the Devils, he did not earn a ton of ice time, playing just 19:40 per game. But when he were in a situation with Miro Heiskanen or Thomas Harley, he could learn the ropes and thrive at the very best level. It will be a risk, but one Dallas must take.
The Stars wouldn’t have many draft picks left as a consequence of all of their recent trading. Getting a player like Nemec for a low price may very well be just the move they should proceed their competitive window. It shouldn’t be hard to persuade Latest Jersey to sell low, as Sheldon Keefe didn’t trust the teen in the most important moments last season.
Take a large swing on Matthew Knies
Given the recent history of the Stars, Nill taking a large swing within the trade market can’t be ruled out. They traded Logan Stankoven and two first-rounders for Mikko Rantanen last season. Why not take one other hack to try to exchange Robertson if he leaves? Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies can be the right fit as they give the impression of being to begin a retool this summer.
This trade would have to come back after the draft, because the Stars are only capable of trade one first-round selection before July 1. They may deal the 2027 first-round pick and the 2029 first-round pick to the Maple Leafs for Knies. Any players that needed to go the opposite way for salary dumps could accomplish that, because the Leafs won’t be pushing for top talent on the open market.
Knies just finished the primary season of a six-year deal, which pays him $7.75 million per season. It’s unlikely that the Stars would have the opportunity to suit each Knies and Robertson under the salary cap, so that they could use the assets they get for Robertson to land Knies. It will not make sense to send Robertson to Toronto, despite the fact that his brother is on the Maple Leafs. If the Leafs really wanted a young goal scorer, they might just keep Knies.
The Stars are in a precarious position this offseason and should nail their trades to get to the Stanley Cup Final next 12 months.
The Dallas Stars have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Minnesota Wild. After three consecutive Western Conference Final appearances, Dallas fired Pete DeBoer last offseason. The move to Glen Gulutzen didn’t get them over the hump. Now, the Stars must be lively within the offseason trade market to attempt to fix the roster.