The Stars were held scoreless for the second straight game Saturday night after a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. They conclude the road trip getting 3 of a possible 10 points. In the process, the team slipped from third place in the Central to a wildcard spot in the Western Conference. Stars fans are all too familiar with the collapse of last season when they held a playoff spot and then lost eight straight to take them out of the playoffs completely.
Dallas is one of the better teams in the league defensively with two of the top goalies in GAA and save percentage in the league. However, the Stars support that with one of the worst offensive attacks in the NHL. The biggest need for the Stars is a scoring winger or top-6 help in general. Which should not come as a surprise. Here is a list of five players the Stars should make a deal for in the next week.
Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings- Nyquist is one of the guys I would most like the Stars to trade for. On the season he has 15 goals with 33 assists in 59 games. He would be a nice addition on the right side and would give Dallas a strong piece on the 2nd line.
Red Wings GM Ken Holland spoke out and said he wanted a first-round pick in exchange for Nyquist. Is he worth a first-round pick? Maybe, maybe not. The Red Wings have expressed interest in Stars defenseman Julius Honka. Could Honka and a 1st be enough for Nyquist? That should be enough to get the deal done. Especially if it is a deal made just before the deadline hits.
Ryan Dzingel, Ottawa Senators- Ryan Dzingel was one of my top targets for the Stars for a while and while the question about his worth is still up in the air, he is continuing to prove that he can rack up points. 22 goals and 21 assists in 56 games this year. His numbers would rank him top three in goals, assists, and points when you put his numbers next to the rest of the Dallas Stars.
Now Dzingel might be a guy that can fetch a first-round pick. But like I said prior, his value is still very much up in the air. If Dzingel is moved first then that could set the rest of the market for the other Senators reportedly on the trade block. I could see Dzingel for a first-round pick straight up. I don’t think that is a deal that the Stars would jump on. If Ottawa would accept a second-round pick and a roster player or B-level prospect I can see Dallas making a deal.
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers- Zuccarello has battled some injuries this year but in the time he has played has posted some decent numbers. In 44 games he has 11 goals and 26 assists. Zuccarello would make a great fit in Dallas in the 2nd line left wing position. With his recent play, he has been increasing his value which is good for the Rangers but not so good for teams trying to acquire Zuccarello’s services.
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Predicting a Zuccarello trade is interesting because we are not sure what the Rangers are asking for in return for Zuccarello. Maybe a first-round pick and a prospect? A first-round pick, a roster player and a lower prospect? The Stars have the assets to pull off either deal. If it is anything more than that I would think Dallas walks away.
Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals- The situation with Burakovsky is very different than with the other players on this list. Burakovsky would be a change of scenery trade. He has 16 points in 53 games this year with the Capitals. Burakovsky is not living up to the Capitals expectations of him which is why many think a change of scenery would be good for him. He is making just over $3 million this year but is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
Luckily for the Stars, they also have a player that is in need of a change of scenery. His name is Valeri Nichushkin. Val is also a restricted free agent and makes just a bit less than Burakovsky. Nichushkin on the year has zero goals. Yes, that is very concerning considering he has played 41 games this year and we are in February just near the trade deadline and here is Val without a goal. A change of scenery would be good for both players and I think this is a good trade.
I do think Dallas would need to throw in a draft pick in addition. Maybe a 3rd or 4th round pick plus Val Nichushkin for Andre Burakovsky. I like the idea of a Burakovsky trade. If it were to happen the Stars would definitely be making another move to go with it.
Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks- At the beginning of the season I would have told you Silfverberg is my number one target for the Stars. Now I am not so sure about that but I do think he could be of use for the Stars. Only 23 points in 50 games this year. But his 15 goals would be tied for 3rd on the Stars. Silfverberg would be a good addition on the 2nd line for Dallas. I think he could be a candidate to be re-signed by Dallas in the offseason if he were to be traded.
Personally, I don’t think Silfverberg is worth a first-round pick. I could see Dallas giving up a second-round pick and a roster player/mid-level prospect for him. Silfverberg is underperforming this season but so are the rest of the Anaheim Ducks. I am not as on board for Silfverberg as I once was but I still wouldn’t mind him wearing a Stars jersey.
Cover photo credit: Detroitnews.com
Chris Bugajsky covers the Dallas Stars for Full Press Coverage. Follow Chris on twitter @CBugajsky14.
