Last week, it was announced that Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin would be out 4-6 months after undergoing hip surgery. This is a huge blow, as Seguin was third on the team in points. Yesterday, Jeff Marek of The Daily Faceoff wrote that the Stars would be aggressive with their newfound $9.85 million of cap space.
If and when the Dallas Stars place Tyler Seguin on Long Term Injured Reserve, they’ll have over $11 million in cap space– an insane amount of cap space for a contending team to have in a league with a hard salary cap. Here are seven players that I think would make sense as additions to this Dallas Stars team.
Brock Nelson, C, New York Islanders
There’s already some buzz around Brock Nelson and the Dallas Stars, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these rumors came to fruition. The Islanders are currently just out of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but if they continue losing, Nelson’s name will almost certainly be added to the trade block. He’s 33 and on the last year of his $6 million per year contract. He has 548 points through 869 career NHL games, and he’s been a 30-goal scorer since 2021-22. Nelson can slot in at either center or on the wing, and can slot in on both the penalty kill and the power play.
Frank Vatrano, LW, Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks likely aren’t making the playoffs. Frank Vatrano is a goalscorer on an expiring contract worth just 3.65 million, which will make him a highly coveted trade acquisition. He’ll almost certainly be moved at, or before, the NHL trade deadline, and he’d be a good fit for Dallas. Vatrano has 284 points through 589 NHL games, and scored 37 goals last season.
Jack Quinn, RW, Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres are 0-4-3 in their last seven games. Quinn has just one goal and five points through 24 games this season, and has been healthy scratched for the past two games. This feels like a recipe for a panic trade, and Quinn hasn’t lived up to the expectations that came with being the eighth overall pick in 2020. He’ll become a Restricted Free Agent at the end of this season, and he’s due for a change of scenery.
Reilly Smith, RW, New York Rangers
The Rangers acquired Smith this summer in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he hasn’t been a seamless fit. Smith has 14 points through 26 games with New York this season. He’s on an expiring contract making $5 million per year, and the struggling Rangers are reportedly still looking to shake up their group. I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith was traded back to the team that originally drafted him.
K’Andre Miller, LD, New York Rangers
Miller– like Reilly Smith– is part of a free-falling Rangers team that is 2-8 in their last 10 games. He’s set to become a Restricted Free Agent at the end of this season, and he’s making just $3.872 million, so I wouldn’t be shocked if New York moved him, especially since he’s garnering interest from other teams. He’s 24, and was a first-round pick in 2018. He doesn’t provide much offense, but he’s big, physical, and reliable defensively.
Ivan Provorov, LD, Columbus Blue Jackets
Unless the Blue Jackets go on a run, it sounds like Provorov is going to be the number one rental defenseman at the trade deadline. Provorov is just 27, and was the seventh overall pick in 2015. He provides a good bit of offense, and has historically been a 30+ point player. Provorov is currently making $6.75 million a year, and will become an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of this season.
Vladislav Gavrikov, RD, Los Angeles Kings
This one might be a little out of left field, as Los Angeles hasn’t been reported to be actively shopping Gavrikov, but it makes a good bit of sense. With Drew Doughty likely nearing a return from injury, the Kings have a backlog on the backend. Gavrikov is on the last year of his $5.875 million contract, and would be a huge upgrade to the Dallas blueline. He’s 29, and can provide a bit of offense to go along with his strong defensive play.
