The hockey world was rocked recently with the news that Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin will miss the remainder of the season with hip surgery. This is a devastating blow to a Stars team that had Stanley Cup aspirations. However, if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Stars GM Jim Nill, it’s that he’s not afraid to make a bold move.
With Seguin out, the Stars are suddenly thin down the middle. Enter Nazem Kadri.
NHL insider Jeff Marek recently reported that the Stars are in “win-now” mode and are willing to part with a young player like Logan Stankoven, Mavrik Bourque, or Lian Bichsel to land a “big fish”. Could Kadri be that fish?
It’s certainly possible. Kadri is having a down year by his standards, but he’s still a highly skilled and experienced center who would be a massive upgrade for the Stars.
Dallas Stars Cap Situation
The Stars have some flexibility with the salary cap. They could accrue over $6 million in cap space by the deadline without having to place Seguin on long-term injured reserve (LTIR). However, it’s expected that Nill will ultimately place Seguin on LTIR and use those savings to bolster his roster for a Cup run.
My Take:
This is a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams. The Stars need a top-six center, and the Flames could use some young talent and draft picks. Kadri is a proven winner who would bring a much-needed edge to the Stars’ lineup. Remember, this is a guy who put up 75 points just last season and was a key contributor to the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup championship a few years back.
Of course, there are some hurdles to overcome. The Flames may not be willing to trade Kadri within the Conference, and the Stars may have to pay a hefty price to acquire him. But if Nill is serious about making a splash, Kadri is the perfect target.
This is a situation that bears close watching as we get closer to the NHL trade deadline.
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