Tales From the Clipped: Scouting the best defensive trade targets for the Dallas Stars
Let's do this from A-to-Z.
Ideally, the Stars are looking for a right-shot defenseman. If you can switch out Jani Hakanpaa for Chris Tanev, then why the hell wouldn’t you do that? Market prices, obviously. But if the conversation is not being had, then any GM worth his salt is not doing his job, and thankfully, Jim Nill is on the prowl.
That’s the obvious replacement (and for sure, we’ll talk about Tanev). The less obvious replacement is a depth defender that could replace Nils Lundkvist. I don’t want to talk about Lundkvist except to say that I believe he’s an NHL-quality defender, and I’d love to see him work out in Dallas. (In addition, I may return to some film room analysis I was doing back when I thought Lundkvist had played his way into a full time position again…and then the Montreal scratch happened.) However, if the coaching stuff doesn’t trust him in the regular season, that won’t change come playoff time. And if he’s not playing, then Joel Hanley is, which makes upgrading that position important too.
That’s how I’m approaching these trade targets: as players with potential to transform Dallas’ second and third pairs. I would expect Dallas’ trade package to include (at minimum) their 2024 second rounder, Ty Dellandrea, and a roster player. It’s not the most exciting bundle of assets, but I do think Dellandrea will have juice with opposing pro scouts. Not only does he have first-round pedigree, but he has quality NHL experience, and fits a profile teams covet as a two-way pivot with just the right mix of skill and grit.
We’ll be looking at seven players (with a focus on five), and except for one, they’re all RHD. Let’s start with the RHD that is never mentioned but should be.