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Five Potential Trade Deadline Targets for the Dallas Stars

By Avery Klatsky

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 13: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period at American Airlines Center on October 13, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 13: Jakob Silfverberg #33 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period at American Airlines Center on October 13, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 20: Jesse Puljujarvi #98  (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 20: Jesse Puljujarvi #98  (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

3. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW – Edmonton Oilers

Number three on this list is Jesse Puljujarvi, a young Swedish forward for the Edmonton Oilers. Puljujarvi has underperformed since being drafted fourth overall by Edmonton in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, having only put up 17 goals and 37 points in 132 games in his NHL career. He did have a 20-point season in 2017-18, posting 12 goals and 20 points in 65 games.

Puljujarvi has only scored four times this season and has a -12 plus/minus rating despite playing in 39 games. That being said, he has some upside as a top-five draft selection and might need a change of scenery since Edmonton has been struggling in the Pacific Division lately.

Interestingly enough, the Oilers have also been rumored to be open to dealing their first-round pick in the 2019 draft. With players such as Jack Hughes, Kaapo Kakko, Kirby Dach, and others available in the draft, several NHL teams might be willing to go after the Oilers’ first-rounder.

Considering that an additional first-round pick sounds pretty attractive to most NHL teams in the league, Dallas may be able to fly under the radar on Puljujarvi with so many other teams clamoring for the draft pick, not Puljujarvi.

Like Zuccarello, Puljujarvi is in the final year of his contract with the Oilers. He is making much less than his teammates with a cap hit of $925,000, as he is still in his three-year, entry-level deal that he signed when Edmonton drafted him. Dallas wouldn’t have to worry about cap space if they wanted to trade for him.

If the Stars are looking for a young forward with potential for scoring, Puljujarvi may be their guy. Time will tell as to whether or not that will be the case.

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