While NHL fans keep their eyes and ears on social media and mainstream sports news broadcasts to see who might be traded ahead of this year’s NHL deadline, one team has been in discussion often. The Dallas Stars are rumored to be trying to move defenseman John Klingberg and there are reports are that a number of teams would also be interested in forward Joe Pavelski if he became available. Don’t expect either thing to happen, according to one reporter who covers the team extensively.
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As per Sean Shapiro of The Athletic, the Dallas Stars aren’t looking to move either player, at least not while they’re still in a playoff race. Shapriro wrote on Twitter Wednesday, “I brought this up on the podcast. But for Twitter… let’s tap the breaks on Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg moving at deadline talk.” He adds, “Dallas in is playoff race with a GM on hot seat who needs to make the playoffs with an owner desperate for playoff revenue. They aren’t a seller.”
As for what happens if the Stars fall out of playoff contention, that’s a different story. But, should they, there could be bigger changes than just a couple of players being moved off of the roster. GM Jim Nill might be in trouble and head coach Rick Bowness is already being looked at as a coach that might not make it through the season if the Stars struggle.
Stars Are In A Tricky Situation
7-3 in their last 10, the Stars are just on the outside of the playoff picture and looking in and there is certainly a risk associated to the team keeping both players past the deadline should they not be either firmly in or firmly out by March 21. Should neither be traded and the Stars not get in, Nill might be passing on the opportunity to acquire two first-rounders ahead of the NHL draft. Having those picks could mean turning things around in Dallas much more quickly.
One idea that has been talked about is Dallas moving Klingberg and adding Jeff Petry. It’s not clear how keen the Stars are on making that deal, but if Nill can get a first for Klingberg and only give up a later pick for Petry, they come out ahead. Klingberg is all but guaranteed to sign elsewhere this offseason.
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