Dallas Stars: Buyers or Sellers At the NHL Trade Deadline?

For all the obstacles they’ve faced this season, the fact remains that the Dallas Stars are still in the postseason picture. The organization should probably be given some credit for what they’ve had to deal with. Between their injury woes, a pandemic-related stoppage at the start of the campaign, and the biblical February winter storm, the team has had every excuse to toss their cards in and fold.

So while it’s looked rather bleak at times, they’re within spitting distance of a spot in the tournament, and it begs the question: are the Dallas Stars going to make any moves before today’s NHL trade deadline?

Despite their issues, the Dallas Stars are still currently in the playoff hunt.

The short answer is, I don’t know. At this point, I would say likely not. I firmly believe that the organization is viewing their trade deadline acquisitions as center Tyler Seguin and goaltender Ben Bishop. Both have been out all season recovering from offseason surgeries. The good news is that both have been skating recently and are set to return some time in the near future.

So even with last night’s shootout setback against Nashville, the Stars picked up a crucial point and are six points out of the final playoff spot in the Central Division. More importantly, Dallas has garnered five of a possible six points in their last three games. They also have games in hand against the teams ahead of them in the standings, so the deficit is still doable.

More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth

So while they continue their maddening trend of losing games in overtime or shootouts, they’re losing the “correct” way, especially when this year’s truncated schedule is taken into account. I was of the opinion that their luck would turn around at some point regarding their overtime struggles, but I don’t know now. The trend is just too prevalent. Further, why would this team have any cookie crumble their way when they’ve been so snake bitten from the jump? No, this is the Dallas Stars. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that this team doesn’t do anything easily. They’re not Tampa Bay or Washington when it comes to qualifying. This is the Stars. It’s in their DNA.

So to anyone expecting the Stars to add additional firepower, don’t hold your breath. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The team’s been buoyed lately by the ascendant play of rookie Jason Robertson and his burgeoning chemistry with fellow winger Roope Hintz. To that end, the future of the franchise looks bright beyond any real or perceived championship window under the current regime of veterans led by the aforementioned Seguin or captain Jamie Benn.

Next. The Texas Rangers are about as good as we thought they’d be. dark

So I think the Dallas Stars will stand pat and let the deadline pass without incident. While a third consecutive playoff berth would be ideal, there have simply been too many roadblocks in their way to justify a change, wholesale or otherwise. This is especially true when the team will ostensibly be much healthier for a full season run next year.

Published on 04/12/2021 at 12:15 PM
Last updated at 04/12/2021 at 12:15 PM

Home/Dallas Stars