STARS MAY GO BIG-GAME HUNTING AHEAD OF DEADLINE

TORONTO, ON — The Dallas Stars are not afraid to make big, bold moves and GM Jim Nill could be swinging for the fences over the next 11 days.

With the trade deadline quickly approaching, trade activity quieted down over the 4 Nations Face-Off. Many expected some moves to trickle in last week once the Championship game was set, but alas just one minor move occurred.

Nill made one big move on Feb. 1, acquiring Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci from the San Jose Sharks for a first-round pick and either a third- or fourth-round selection, depending on where they end up. It would shock no one if he made another, perhaps even bigger trade, by 3pm ET on March 7.

The Stars have just under $4.6 million in current cap space because of Tyler Seguin’s LTIR dollars, but the team can add an extra $8.45 million by placing Miro Heiskanen on LTIR, as well.

Nothing is official, but word on the street suggests Heiskanen may be done for the regular-season and could also miss as much as the entire first-round of the playoffs. If the first part, at least, holds true, Dallas is in a position to add a significant piece to its roster.

Nill works off the philosophy that if his team performs well in-season, they deserve to be rewarded with the best opportunity to win. Acquiring impact players and improving the roster shows his team their GM has their back.

The Stars may not necessarily swim exclusively in the rental pool, but it is no secret they are interested in New York Islanders centre Brock Nelson, who is on an expiring contract. There has been talk of Seth Jones from Chicago, but even with the Blackhawks willing to retain a portion of his $9.25 million cap hit, that is a complicated (not impossible) in-season move for Dallas. Same goes for Erik Karlsson out of Pittsburgh.

I do wonder if the Stars take a stab at Mikko Rantanen, if the Carolina Hurricanes decide to take calls on him, but they won’t be alone in that pursuit if he is available.

The Stars are not going to catch the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division, but Nill wants to give his team the best shot against either Colorado or Minnesota in Round 1.

Without a first- and second-round pick in this summer’s NHL Draft, it is unclear if Nill is willing to move out next year’s first-rounder, but there is the belief someone like Mavrik Bourque could be available for the right piece.

Bourque, 23, will see his entry-level contract expire this summer and a bridge deal is likely in his immediate future. He has bounced around the lineup this season and is riding on the top line, for now, and that could give teams a glimpse into what he is truly capable of at the NHL level.

We are approaching the finish line to the silly season and while we were spoiled by some big deals to end January and start February, it may only get sillier between now and next Friday.

HOTLANTA

Uh oh! Expansion talk? Yes, expansion talk...

Last week, Forsyth County officials provided an update on plans for Vernon Krause’s proposed entertainment district, The Gathering at South Forsyth, which includes an 18,000-seat arena to house an NHL franchise.

Plans for the development are expected to be presented to the NHL in the near future, taking next steps in their attempt to bring the NHL back to Georgia.

Krause’s group is not the only one vying for an NHL franchise in Atlanta, as former NHLer Anson Carter has been heading the Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group (ASEG) to do the same.

The expansion noise grew louder last week when Kevin Weekes reported the NHL met with a group in New York recently to explore the possibility of bringing an expansion franchise to New Orleans.

There are several groups interested in joining the NHL and the League hasn’t been shy about a) acknowledging said interest, and b) openly admitting they are not ready to go initiate a formal expansion process. But they continue to listen.

Circling back to Atlanta, it is my understand the Krause-led group is well ahead of ASEG in the race to bring a team back to the region and some within ASEG are beginning to explore alternative options.

In addition to Atlanta and New Orleans, it has been well established that the NHL has attracted interest from groups eyeing such markets as Phoenix, Houston, San Diego, Cincinnati, Omaha, Kansas City and others.

HERE AND THERE

• The Winnipeg Jets are exploring multiple options ahead of next Friday’s deadline. They could add a depth piece or two, but there is also chatter of something bigger. If the team makes a splash, 2023 first-round pick Colby Barlow could be carrot GM Kevin Cheveldayoff dangles.

• As I said on the SiriusXM Pregame Show ahead of the USA-Sweden 4 Nations game last Monday, Matthew Tkachuk may be out week-to-week with his injury. He is not expected to miss the playoffs, but there is a chance the team shuts him down for the balance of the regular-season.

• Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau are two names to keep a close eye on out of Boston. Both are on expiring deals, extension talks have halted, and multiple teams are interested in both guys.

• The NHL is returning to Europe next season, though it seems like they may visit one country. Sources say the NHL Global Series will be back in Stockholm in November, though it is unclear if two or four NHL clubs will be heading overseas to play in the newly renovated Avicii Arena.

• Is it time for Edmonton to bite down and go get John Gibson out of Anaheim? I believe he would not get in the way of a move to the Oilers.

• On Saturday, the NHL officially announced the 2025 NHL Draft will take place in Los Angeles, as we first reported at the start of the season. It is the first decentralized draft – no GMs, scouts, etc., but the prospects will be there – but will it be the last? Let’s wait and see how it goes, but there is already talk things could revert to the good old days. One market that everyone would go back to, without hesitation, for an upcoming draft: Montreal.

• I don’t see a Kings/Canucks trade happening this season, but Brock Boeser is someone Los Angeles would love to get their hands on. Maybe that is a summer pursuit if he hits the open market July 1?

• Vegas is always intriguing this time of year, and it wouldn’t surprise him, as I’ve noted before, to see them make an add up front by deadline day.

• The Toronto Maple Leafs want to add to their second-line, ideally at the dot, but they have also been asking around about big, physical bottom-six forwards.

• As Montreal navigates trade calls, the likes of Jake Evans, Joel Armia and David Savard seem likeliest to move. Christian Dvorak is available, but his $4.45M cap hit may prevent a move from happening and the Canadiens have just one retention slot remaining this season.