February 24, 2024 | 9:43pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com
STARS STILL TRYING TO ADD DEFENCEMAN
Chris Tanev, defenceman
The Dallas Stars have been aggressively exploring the trade market in hopes of acquiring a right-shot defenceman ahead of the March 8 trade deadline.
As TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported earlier this month, the Stars been in scouring the league for a top-four defenceman to add to the roster and are prepared to dish out their first-round pick in this summer’s draft if the right opportunity presents itself.
“The Stars are solid in goal and up front. They like their forward depth and are comfortable with the group they have assembled. It is the blueline that (Stars GM Jim) Nill and Co. seem to be focusing on, and they have poked around on the usual suspects,” Pagnotta wrote on Feb. 9.
Dallas has inquired about the likes of Calgary Flames blueliner Chris Tanev, Philadelphia Flyers rearguard Sean Walker and Arizona Coyotes defenceman Matt Dumba, among others.
During the “Saturday Headlines” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman reiterated the Stars’ desire to add a right-shot blueliner and acquire depth to their lineup ahead of the playoffs.
The Stars currently have $1.52 million in available salary cap space due to LTIR, according to CapFriendly, but that figure can increase once they sent centre Logan Stankoven and defenceman Derrick Pouliot back down to the AHL – both players have been recalled on emergency loan.