NHL Trade Buzz: Stars Seeking Defensive Help
The latest news and rumors surrounding the NHL Trade Deadline.
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are actively looking to add help on defense before the NHL Trade Deadline, according to general manager Jim Nill. They already have a solid group of forwards and are focusing on strengthening their blue line. Nill mentioned that defensemen are always in high demand and they are monitoring the market to see what the cost of acquisition would be.
Currently, the Stars have a mix of talented defensemen, including Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley. However, they are looking to upgrade on their right side, as they only have two right-handed defensemen. Potential targets for the Stars include Chris Tanev of the Calgary Flames, Matt Dumba of the Arizona Coyotes, Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Ilya Lyubushkin of the Anaheim Ducks.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are facing a big question regarding their defensemen, Sean Walker and Nick Seeler, due to defenseman Jamie Drysdale's upper-body injury. Drysdale got injured in their recent game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and it's unclear how long he will be out.
The Flyers have been focused on long-term sustainability rather than just making the playoffs this season. As a result, Walker and Seeler could be potential trade chips for the Flyers. However, if Drysdale's injury is long-term, the Flyers will have to consider whether it's the right move to trade away defensemen when they are contending for a playoff spot.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators have been on a five-game winning streak, solidifying their position in the playoff race. As a result, their focus has shifted towards adding players before the trade deadline to bolster their chances of making a playoff run.
While there have been rumors about potential trades involving goalie Juuse Saros, the recent winning streak has likely quieted those discussions. The Predators have the salary cap space and draft pick capital to make significant moves if they decide to be buyers.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a blow with forward Bryan Rust's upper-body injury. Rust did not accompany the team on their road trip, and the extent of his injury is still being evaluated. This injury could impact the Penguins' chances of climbing in the standings and potentially make them sellers before the deadline.
In addition to Rust, the Penguins have also been without forward Jake Guentzel due to an upper-body injury. If they are missing both players, it would significantly impact their ability to make a playoff push, which could lead to them becoming sellers before the deadline.
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes have been struggling, with 12 straight losses. General manager Bill Armstrong has confirmed that the team is likely to be sellers before the trade deadline. They are looking to acquire assets in exchange for players such as Matt Dumba and Jason Zucker, who are pending unrestricted free agents.
The Coyotes have a number of draft picks in the upcoming NHL drafts, and Armstrong is open to acquiring even more. With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Coyotes are focused on building for the future and acquiring assets that can help them next season.
