Following last night’s 4-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, which dropped the Dallas Stars into 12th place in the Western Conference, rumors began swirling that Dallas is the team to watch at the NHL trade deadline. Having already traded captain Brenden Morrow to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week, it is now believed that Dallas will go into full on sell mode, trading a number of pieces for future returns.
With that said, lets take a quick look at what the Stars could have available.
Derek Roy, Centre:
*UPDATE* Derek Roy has been dealt to the Vancouver Canucks for a 2nd round pick and prospect Kevin Connauton (Sportsnet reporting)
Contract Status, UFA in July 2013, Current Cap Hit: $4.0 million.
Roy is an offensive centre who enjoyed his best years with the Buffalo Sabres, often flirting with being a point per game player, and sometimes even surpassing that mark. However, he really struggled in 2011-12 scoring just 44 points in 80 games, which was a major down year for him, and the Sabres moved him to Dallas for a package centred around Steve Ott. In Dallas, Roy started the season coming off a shoulder injury, and missed a couple weeks to start the season. Since being in the lineup he has scored 18 points in 26 games. The Stars are rumored to want to re-sign Roy, but contract talks to this point have gone nowhere. There are a ton of teams looking for an offensive centre and this could really drive up his value. If the Stars trade him, he might bring the best return of any player on the team.
My previous update on Connauton is found here, in last summer’s Top Shelf Prospects review for the Vancouver Canucks. I stated, “Connauton is a solid Powerplay quarterback type who moves the puck very well, makes smart decisions on the Powerplay and has an excellent one timer. ”
Jaromir Jagr, Right Wing
*UPDATE* Jaromir Jagr has been dealt to the Boston Bruins for Lane MacDermid, Cody Payne and a draft pick. The pick is a conditional 2nd rounder, it changes into a first rounder if the Bruins make it to the Eastern Conference Final. (TSN Reporting)
Contract Status, UFA in July 2013, Current Cap Hit: $4.55 million.
Another player playing his first year for Dallas. Jagr signed last summer after making a one year NHL comeback for the Philadelphia Flyers. While Jagr isn’t the player he was 10 years ago, or even 5 years ago, he still adds offensive punch to any team, especially on the powerplay. Jagr still has the silky smooth mitts, the great shot and release, and the outstanding vision that has helped him to become one of the greatest scorers in NHL history. The Stars have also been rumored to try and re-sign the legendary winger, but of course no deal has been signed yet. Jagr has 24 points in 30 games this season, and should be sought after by any team looking to give their offence a boost at the deadline.
Ray Whitney, Left Wing
Contract Status, signed through the 2013-14 season, Cap Hit: $4.5 million, Limited No Trade Clause (must submit 10 team list he will accept trades to on request)
Whitney was an absolute magician scoring 77 points for the Phoenix Coyotes last season. This season he’s been plagued by injuries, but is now healthy and producing. He has 12 points in 15 games, and looks like the same creative player we saw for the Coyotes. Whitney has playoff experience and won a Stanley Cup with Carolina in 2006. Like Jagr he would be a great add for any team looking for some extra scoring and some powerplay punch. The only difference is that Whitney is signed through the end of next season, but the contract is reasonable given his recent production.
Stephane Robidas, Defence:
Contract Status, signed through the 2013-14 season, Cap Hit: $3.3 million, No Trade Clause
The 36 year old veteran, and former NHL all-star doesn’t put up the point totals he did in the past. He has 10 points this season in 31 games. Not bad numbers, but clearly not the all-star level he put up previously. However Robidas is still a rugged defender, reliable in his own zone and plays the most minutes on the Stars at over 22 per game. He also takes up over 3 minutes of penalty killing time per game. Capable of being a top 4 minute eating defender, and providing steady defence and crease clearing, Robidas would be heavily sought after if made available. While he does have a No Trade Clause, we’ve seen a few players waive those in recent days.
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