Dallas Stars make trades: Meeting the newest Stars

The NHL trade deadline came and went and some big names were moved around. However, the Dallas Stars did not move who we thought they would, or anyone for that matter. They did get some guys in exchange for some draft picks. One of the names on the trading block for the Stars was backup goalie Anton Khudobin, who could have added some much needed goalie depth for some teams. However, Khudobin needed surgery on his hip last week, thus removing any and all trade ideas.

Another name the Dallas Stars had to offer and, perhaps one of the bigger names out there, was defenseman John Klingberg. After failing to reach a contract extension during the offseason, the Stars had given Klingberg and his agent permission to seek a trade.

This seemed to mean he would definitely be gone at the deadline. Monday’s deadline came and went, however and Klingberg is still wearing Victory Green. As mentioned before, though, there are some new faces that will be seen in Dallas.

Who are the new guys playing for the Dallas Stars?

Scott Wedgewood – Goalie

The Dallas Stars traded a conditional fourth round pick in 2023 to the Arizona Coyotes for goaltender Scott Wedgewood. If the Stars make the playoffs this season, that pick becomes a third round selection.

Eight months ago this team had a plethora of goalies. Ben Bishop, Anton Khudobin, Braden Holtby and Jake Oettinger were all on the roster and candidates to start for this team. Then Bishop was forced to retire and Anton Khudobin has been sidelined with surgery. Add to that, the fact that Braden Holtby has been MIA with some kind of injury and Dallas decided it was time to add some depth behind Oettinger.

Make no mistake about it, this is not a move to replace Oettinger. This is a move to get someone that can fill in for Oettinger. Wedgewood was drafted in 2010 by the New Jersey Devils. He was selected in the third round (84th overall). He hasn’t played a ton of games. He made his debut in 2015 for the Devils. He’s also spent time in Arizona. He has played in a total of 69 games. His career goals against average is 3.11 and he has a save percentage of .905.

Vladislav Namestnikov – Center

The Dallas Stars also traded a 2024 fourth round draft pick on Monday. This time to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Center Vladislav Namestnikov.

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 2011 Entry Draft. He made his debut in 2013 for Tampa. He has spent time with the New York Rangers, the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche. He’s been with the Red Wings since 2020.

In all, he’s played in 538 games, scored 104 goals and has 231 assists. This is another move to help get some offensive involvement on this team. They’ve struggled a lot this season and the goaltending has bailed them out more than once. But no matter how good the goaltending is, you still have to score to win games.

So, now that the trade deadline is come and gone perhaps players like Klingberg and others who may have been on the chopping block can start playing some hockey and stop worrying about what may or may not happen.

For the Dallas Stars organization, though, they are going to have to figure out who to keep and for how long. And that day is coming sooner rather than later.

• Published on 03/24/2022 at 11:41 AM
• Last updated at 03/24/2022 at 11:43 AM