Dallas Stars Only Beginning To Deal?

Matthew DeFranks of SportsDay Dallas: Andrew Cogliano presents just the beginning of dealing by the Dallas Stars. Clearing space becomes as easy as putting their injured players on long term injured reserve which could free up $12 million in cap space.

Cogliano’s versatility and leadership directly helps a Stars team looking for those qualities. Cogliano playing anywhere from the top line to the third line gives Dallas flexibility they did not have before the trade.

The Dallas Stars also have players who need a change of scenery. Those include Valeri Nichushkin, Julius Honka, and Brett Ritchie, There is growing chances at least one of them or more could be dealt by February 25th.

The return expects to be less than spectacular but former first-round picks sometimes net a little more. That frees the Dallas Stars to make other transactions as well — maybe they take a shot at one of the bigger players perhaps.

Could the Dallas Stars and Washington Capitals have something brewing?

Sean Shapiro: Shapiro tweets on how heavy Dallas and Washington have been scouting each other of late. The focus seems to be on Andre Burakovsky from the Dallas side of things. This makes sense from a change of scenery perspective.

Burakovsky’s poor play this season and healthy scratches means he is not part of Washington’s long term plans. Dallas can offer several candidates to trade back in return — perhaps a Valeri Nichushkin or Julius Honka. Washington may be able to use both. Even draft picks could be offered along with possible salary retention. Retention appears less likely depending on the return, however.

Teams are calling the Capitals about Burakovsky and they will listen

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: Teams are calling the Capitals about Andre Burakovsky and they are listening.

The Arizona Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars are believed to be among the teams calling.

Capitals GM Brian MacLellan won’t just give Burakovsky away. They’d likely want a top-nine veteran in return. They may only take futures if they could flip those futures for a veteran.

A qualifying offer for the pending RFA would be $3.25 million, which has given at least one Western Conference team a reason to pass.