Dallas Stars Not Expected To Trade Klingberg, Holtby
Though it had been trending this way for a while due to injury, illness, and the playoff race the Dallas Stars find themselves in, general manager Jim Nill made it clear today that John Klingberg and Braden Holtby will likely still be on the roster after Monday’s trade deadline. In fact, with regards to Holtby in particular, Nill was extremely clear that the veteran goaltender was completely off the market when he spoke with NHL.com’s Mike Zeisberger.
I was never really actively shopping him. That was kind of more of the media. People were looking at our situation thinking we had an extra goalie. You never say never in case you get an overwhelming offer but the Khudobin surgery solidifies that Holtby is staying put.
That hip surgery that Nill references for Anton Khudobin will keep him out six months, meaning the Stars suddenly don’t have a ton of depth at the goaltending position despite coming into the year with too many options. Trading Holtby now would be risking everything on Jake Oettinger‘s continued health (and continued strong play), and would leave Dallas with no legitimate NHL backup.
For Klingberg, things are still a little murkier, but Nill explained that for the Stars to succeed, the pending UFA defenseman needs to be there. He wouldn’t go so far as to say that he wouldn’t listen it’s not the same situation for Dallas as earlier in the year. When they were struggling, Klingberg was playing on the third pairing, and the playoffs seemed like a stretch, it made sense for teams to try and pry the 29-year-old out of the Stars’ lineup. But with Miro Heiskanen now out with mononucleosis and the team right in the hunt, Klingberg is back to playing nearly 25 minutes a game and leading the team’s offensive attack.
The term “own-rental” has been thrown around in recent years, and it appears as though that’s exactly what Klingberg represents for Dallas. An extension at this point hasn’t been negotiated and seems unlikely, but just as other playoff contenders are trading assets to acquire expiring contracts for a postseason run, the Stars will hold onto their own as they try to catch the Vegas Golden Knights for the final wild card position. They currently sit just one point out after losing their last three, but still have four games in hand over Vegas.
For teams looking at right-shot defensemen at the deadline, the market is quickly shrinking. Josh Manson was already traded to the Colorado Avalanche and now Klingberg is unlikely to go anywhere. While there is always a premium carried by true right-side options, that cost could climb even further in the next few days.
Anton Khudobin Undergoes Surgery
March 15: The team has now officially announced the surgery, which was a right hip arthroscopy and labral repair. It took place yesterday and Khudobin was given a six-month recovery timeline.
March 14: Veteran goaltender Anton Khudobin last played in a competitive game on January 29, when he suited up for the Texas Stars. He was brought up to the NHL a few days later under emergency conditions but hasn’t played since being returned to the minor leagues the next night. Saad Yousuf of The Athletic wrote today that an update on Khudobin was expected in the next few days, but his colleague Pierre LeBrun may have beaten the team to it. LeBrun tweets that Khudobin is undergoing hip surgery today, with an official update coming tomorrow.
If it is a surgery that ends Khudobin’s season, the Dallas Stars have suddenly gone from an organization overflowing in NHL-caliber netminders to one that could have a lack of depth at the position. Braden Holtby is now dealing with a lower-body injury, forcing the team to recall 22-year-old undrafted free agent signing Adam Scheel to backup starter Jake Oettinger. Scheel has never played in the NHL and has split this season between the AHL and ECHL.
With Khudobin out of the picture, LeBrun suggests that Holtby–even when healthy–might end up off the trade market as the Stars continue to fight for the playoffs. The team is just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the second wild card spot, but have played four fewer games than them to this point. Moving Holtby would leave the team in a very vulnerable position, putting the entire postseason hopes on Oettinger (albeit capable) shoulders.
For Khudobin specifically, one has to wonder whether hip surgery will spell the end of his playing career. The 35-year-old netminder has one season left on the three-year contract extension he signed in 2020 and carries a $3.3MM cap hit, but had been pushed mostly to the minor leagues this season. In nine appearances with Dallas he has posted an .879 save percentage and now likely faces a long rehab. The Stars already went through a situation like this with Ben Bishop this season, with the veteran trying to work his way back only to end up calling it a career following one appearance in the minor leagues. Hopefully, Khudobin doesn’t suffer the same fate, but it’s hard to see a way that he makes another considerable impact for the Stars moving forward.
Latest On John Klingberg
One of the names talked about most this season when it comes to trade bait is John Klingberg, the long-time Dallas Stars defenseman and a pending unrestricted free agent. Klingberg hasn’t made any progress with the Stars on an extension and had previously been given permission to speak to other teams around the league about a potential fit.
If the Stars had planned on trading him, they likely are pretty grateful they waited, now that Miro Heiskanen is out indefinitely following a mononucleosis diagnosis. In the games since Heiskanen left the lineup, Klingberg has logged the following ice times: 26:41, 25:31, 23:36, 22:15. Not exactly a player you can easily replace if the Stars’ young defenseman doesn’t return soon.
Still, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic writes that Heiskanen’s absence is “not a deciding factor” and that the team hasn’t completely closed the door on a trade, even if it has become more unlikely. The Stars would be looking for a package that wasn’t exclusively future assets though, according to Yousuf, wanting a player who they could plug into the lineup immediately if any deal is reached.
That’s certainly not an easy move to make, and on the 32 Thoughts podcast, Jeff Marek of Sportsnet–who has been on the Klingberg story from the beginning–talked about how difficult it would be for the Stars to give up a player when they’re this close to the playoffs. The team is now one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights with four games in hand, and still in the race for a Central Division spot beyond that. Marek confirms that there have been teams chasing the pending free agent (including the Carolina Hurricanes at one point) but that he is probably “too valuable” at this point for Dallas.
All Klingberg has done in his past three games is put up five points, taking his season total to 31 through 50 games. Despite the short stint on the third pairing, missed games, and the trade rumors swirling around him, the 29-year-old is still on pace for a 45-point season. If he hits that market, it would be for the sixth time in his career. The biggest thing Heiskanen’s absence might affect is the dollar figure on Klingberg’s next deal. A stretch run playing 25 minutes a night on a playoff contender certainly won’t hurt his market this offseason.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Trade Deadline Primer: Dallas Stars
As we enter the middle of March, the trade deadline is inching closer. Where does each team stand and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Dallas Stars.
The Dallas Stars’ ability to make a splash at the upcoming trade deadline is a question of both “can” and “should”, to which the answer is the same for both: no. The Stars are currently utilizing the Long-Term Injured Reserve and are not accruing any cap space. As of today, they have practically no cap space and any trade would have to be dollar-for-dollar in terms of full-year cap hit. While small roster tweaks like demoting third goalie Adam Scheel or young defenseman Thomas Harley or waiving recent claim Marian Studenic could open up marginal space for an acquisition, anything more than a low-salary addition will be impossible without sending a regular roster piece the other way. The Stars have put together a deep, diverse roster and should not be disassembling it this season, either as a seller or in a bid to to make a major move as a buyer. While the pursuit of a playoff spot is important (and the Stars currently hold the final wild card spot in the West), a first-round match-up with the Colorado Avalanche likely awaits. Dallas fans should not be fooled by an unlikely run to the Stanley Cup two years ago; the best move this season is to be cautious and conservative rather than overreact one way or the other. The Stars have already extended Joe Pavelski and seem likely to retain John Klingberg as an internal rental – that could very well be the extent of their deadline plans.
Record
32-22-3 (.588), fifth in Central Division
Deadline Status
Stand Pat
Deadline Cap Space
$50,000 today (LTIR), $50,000 in full-season space, 0/3 retention slots used, 46/50 contracts used per CapFriendly
Upcoming Draft Picks
2022: DAL 1st, DAL 2nd, DAL 3rd, DAL 4th, DAL 5th, DAL 6th, DAL 7th
2023: DAL 1st, DAL 2nd, DAL 3rd, DAL 4th, DAL 5th, DAL 6th, DAL 7th
Trade Chips
The most talked-about trade chip in Dallas will of course be Klingberg. However, recent reports suggest that he may not be on the move after all. While Klingberg seems destined to play elsewhere next season, the Stars’ playoff position combined with Miro Heiskanen‘s recent mononucleosis diagnosis makes Klingberg far more likely to stay on as an internal rental rather than be dealt. The Stars are able to largely stand pat because their current group has put them in playoff position. If Klingberg was traded, Dallas would have to replace him if they hoped to hold on to that position, likely making retaining Klingberg more valuable than the return they would receive for him.
As for other roster players that could be on the move, it is hard to say who Dallas could move. They would probably like to move Alexander Radulov or Radek Faksa, both of whom have had very poor years relative to their lofty contracts. However, for that same reason neither is likely to move at the deadline. The up-and-down play of Denis Gurianov can be frustrating, but the Stars are unlikely to move him just yet. The same can be said for Joel Kiviranta, who has fallen very short of expectations this season but still has upside. Barring a godfather offer, the two young forwards are likely safe for now.
The roster position to watch is likely in net. Jake Oettinger has established himself as the proven, long-term starter this season. If the Stars are willing to bet on the young keeper to lead them through the stretch run and into the postseason, they could move on from impending UFA Braden Holtby, who has drawn interest from other contenders. Holtby’s current injury situation complicates the matter, but shouldn’t rule out a trade completely. If Holtby is dealt, the team would look to Anton Khudobin to return to the NHL roster as backup. If Holtby stays, the Stars will continue to look for a new home for Khudobin.
Assuming that the Stars keep things quiet at the deadline, it is likely that none of these aforementioned players are traded. It also would imply that their top picks and prospects are safe. Dallas is more likely to peddle mid- to late-round draft picks, older prospects, or lower-level prospects in order as a means to add depth players. Members of AHL Texas who have yet to carve out an NHL role in Dallas but could contribute more to a seller include forwards Riley Tufte and Nicholas Caamano and defensemen Ben Gleason and Ryan Shea.
Others To Watch For: F Jordan Kawaguchi, F Fredrik Karlstrom, D Samuel Sjolund, G Colton Point
Team Needs
1) Affordable Secondary Scoring – On paper, it would seem that the Stars are well off at forward. The team has skill on every line, with at least one recognizable (and well-paid) anchor, not to mention a blend of experience and youth. Yet, it hasn’t gone as planned this season. Dallas is in the lower half of the league in scoring despite their considerable talent and depth, as many players have struggled with inconsistency and underperformance in general. While it may not be clear exactly where in the lineup an additional forward may fit, there is room to improve. If the Stars felt that the unproven Studenic could help, then there is a need. Of course, the problem is that the Stars will have no more than $1.75MM or so to add – and that is if they budget for only one acquisition. Dallas will have to target affordable contracts given their cap space.
2) Defensive Depth – Even if Klingberg stays and Heiskanen is healthy sooner rather than later, an extra body on defense certainty wouldn’t hurt the Stars chances. The Dallas top four is strong, but the depth falls off after that. Jani Hakanpaa is one-dimensional, Andrej Sekera is well past his prime, Joel Hanley plays a limited role, and the capable Harley is nonetheless an inexperienced rookie. Again, this will have to be a bargain addition, but there are options available that could prove to be an upgrade
Dallas Stars Not Expected To Trade Klingberg At The Deadline
- Joining Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada was Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek, who took a name out of the deadline conversation: John Klingberg. Marek mentions that with Miro Heiskanen expected to miss time with mononucleosis, Klingberg may now be more valuable to the Stars than what they could get back for him. Rumors had started to circulate around Klingberg as a potential trade chip when it appeared the Stars would not be able to re-sign the pending UFA. While the talented defenseman would likely bring back a large return for Dallas, the team is in the midst of a playoff push and could use Klingberg for its own benefit. Even if Klingberg leaves via free agency in the summer, he could function as a rental for Dallas, who may have sought to replace him anyways if they were to trade him away. With nine days to go until the NHL’s trade deadline, things can surely change, but for now, it appears Klingberg is staying put.
Riley Tufte Sent To AHL Texas, Adam Scheel Recalled With Braden Holtby Hurt
- The Stars announced (Twitter link) that they’ve assigned winger Riley Tufte to Texas of the AHL while recalling goaltender Adam Scheel. Tufte has been seeing regular action on the fourth line as of late but with Braden Holtby dealing with a lower-body injury, they needed to clear a roster spot and enough cap space to bring Scheel up to serve as Jake Oettinger‘s backup tonight. Tufte makes more than their other waiver-exempt forwards so he had to be the one to go down.
Dallas Stars Extend Joe Pavelski
Why break up a good thing? The Dallas Stars and Joe Pavelski have decided to continue their relationship, signing a one-year extension worth $5.5MM. The contract will include an additional $500K in performance bonuses based on games played thresholds. He’ll earn $100K for every ten games played up to 50. The contract also includes a full no-movement clause. Stars GM Jim Nill released a statement:
In his three seasons here, Joe has proven to be one of the strongest, most respected voices in the dressing room, as well as being one of the most consistent performers on the ice. He has played at an All-Star level this season, and by signing this deal now, it is a testament to what he sees in this organization and how this organization values what he brings day-in and day-out. He is a true professional, an incredible leader, and an example to everyone in our organization of what the standard is.
Pavelski, 37, hasn’t lost a step yet as he continues to be a top performer for the Stars alongside Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. That line has been outstanding this season, dominating the opposition to the tune of 160 combined points so far. Pavelski accounts for 59 of those through 56 games, a number that leads the Stars just as he did last season.
It’s been an incredible career for Pavelski, who will reach 1,200 games if he stays healthy next season (and has a shot at 1,000 points, depending on how the rest of this year goes). His obvious chemistry with the younger players, along with the fact that he’s still capable of playing both center and wing, make him a very valuable option for the Stars even at his age. One of the most well-respected leaders in the league, it’s not just his locker room presence that they’re bringing back. Pavelski will likely reach the 30 goal mark for the sixth time this season and has a chance to even set a career-high in points (his previous high is 79).
Because he’s still so good, some wondered whether the Stars would make him available at this year’s trade deadline. The veteran forward would have drawn interest from basically every contender in the league, but it never did make much sense for Dallas to part ways with him. Not only does he have a trade clause that lets him list just three teams he’s willing to go to, but the Stars have done enough to remain in the Central Division playoff race. While they lost an important game to the Nashville Predators this week, they are still just four points out of a divisional spot and occupy the second wild card spot.
Trading Pavelski would have been like throwing in the towel given his importance to the group, and a one-year deal comes with very little risk. They can revisit the team’s situation a year from now when his value will still be high unless there is a huge drop-off in performance. With John Klingberg likely headed to market (if not traded by the deadline) and Alexander Radulov on an expiring deal, the team had a little bit of salary coming off the books anyway. While Robertson will likely be looking at a huge RFA raise, there was always going to be room to bring Pavelski back on a short-term deal.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was first to report the extension. Darren Dreger of TSN added that it will be a one-year contract, while Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported the salary.
Dallas Stars Sign Remi Poirier
The Dallas Stars have added a little more goaltending depth to the system, signing Remi Poirier to a three-year, entry-level contract. The young goaltender was a sixth-round pick of the team in 2020 and currently plays for the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, where he will remain for the rest of the season.
It’s not always so easy to stock a prospect pipeline with goaltending talent, but the Stars appear to be set for the immediate future. Jake Oettinger is already showing he’s ready for the starting gig at age-23, Adam Scheel is making the transition from the college ranks nicely, and now Poirier–selected 185th overall–is a front-runner for the QMJHL goaltender of the year award.
In 29 appearances, Poirier leads all qualified netminders with a .919 save percentage and 2.24 goals-against-average while sitting third in wins with 17. The 6’2″ goaltender has been on a steady development path since entering the CHL in 2018, posting better and better numbers each season. If that kind of progression can continue, he could very well be challenging for the starting role with the Texas Stars as soon as next season.
That’s when his contract will kick in, meaning he’s now signed through 2024-25 on his entry-level deal.
Miro Heiskanen Out Indefinitely With Mononucleosis
The Dallas Stars will be without young defenseman Miro Heiskanen indefinitely after he was diagnosed with mononucleosis. Heiskanen has been placed on injured reserve retroactive to his last game played on March 2, meaning he will be able to be activated whenever he is ready to return.
Just 22, Heiskanen has taken over as arguably the most important player on the Stars roster, averaging nearly 25 minutes a night while playing in all situations. Without him, the Stars played last night with almost just four defenders, giving Joel Hanley and Thomas Harley fewer than ten minutes each. The top four of Ryan Suter (28:51), Jani Hakanpaa (25:32), John Klingberg (23:36), and Esa Lindell (22:56) all played huge minutes in a losing effort against the Nashville Predators in one of the most important games of the year.
It’s Klingberg’s status that is so interesting now that Heiskanen is out. The pending free agent defenseman had been expected to be traded before the deadline, but over the last three games his ice time has exploded with the team desperately needing his offensive ability. If Dallas remains in the playoff run, it’s hard to justify trading Klingberg away until they have a more definite timeline on Heiskanen’s return.
Dallas now sits fifth in the Central Division, one point behind the Predators but still holds the second wild card spot in the west. The Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Anaheim Ducks are hot on their heels, and without Heiskanen in the lineup, it will be all the more difficult to stay in that spot.
AHL Shuffle: 03/08/22
It’s an extremely busy Tuesday in the NHL, with 11 games on the docket. That includes a big eastern matchup between the Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins, and an incredibly important match between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators. Those two central teams are neck and neck in the playoff race, meaning any head-to-head action is a huge opportunity to gain ground. As those teams and others prepare for action, we’ll keep track of all the minor league shuffling.
Atlantic Division
- The Ottawa Senators have reassigned Dillon Heatherington to the AHL, after he failed to get into any games on this most recent recall. The veteran minor league defenseman last played for Ottawa in December but continues to be a depth piece that’s recalled as injury insurance. He has zero points in nine NHL games this season.
- The Florida Panthers have sent Spencer Knight back to the AHL, after he stopped 29 of 30 shots yesterday against the Buffalo Sabres for his tenth win of the season. Knight continues to bounce up and down in order to get the most playing time possible, while the Panthers rely on Sergei Bobrovsky for the vast majority of the NHL action. Jonas Johansson, technically the NHL backup, has seen just a single game since being acquired in December.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs returned Mac Hollowell to the minor leagues today, as they welcomed Rasmus Sandin back to the ice after dealing with an illness. It’s unlikely Sandin plays tonight, though with him at least a possibility the team no longer needed Hollowell on the NHL roster.
Metropolitan Division
Central Division
- The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Alec Regula to the NHL once again, and he was skating on the third pairing at practice according to Charlie Roumeliotis of NBCS Chicago. The 21-year-old defenseman has played in four games for the Blackhawks this season and is still looking for his first NHL point.
- The Dallas Stars have sent Marian Studenic to the AHL on a conditioning assignment, something that’s understandable given he hasn’t played since the Stars claimed him off waivers last month. Studenic has appeared in 17 games this season, all with the New Jersey Devils, and has one goal.
- Per The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford, the St. Louis Blues have recalled forward Alexey Toropchenko from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds (tweet). The forward has zero points in five games in the NHL this season, but does have a solid 20 points in 42 games at the AHL level.
Pacific Division
- The San Jose Sharks have reassigned Jasper Weatherby and Santeri Hatakka to the AHL, suggesting that some players–particularly Erik Karlsson—could be available to play in the coming days. Weatherby, meanwhile, has spent most of the season with the Sharks, playing in 45 games so far and racking up ten points. The 24-year-old forward is still waiver-exempt, meaning he can move up and down without issue whenever the team needs him again.
- Earlier today, the Edmonton Oilers sent defenseman Markus Niemelainen down to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. The 23-year-old has split time between the NHL and AHL this season, tallying 7 points in 23 games at the AHL level and just one assist in 20 games at the NHL level.
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